Table of Contents

Foreword - Kenneth R. Stevenson
Preface
About the Author
Part I: Quests and Questions
1. Do You Have What It Takes?
2. What Exactly Is a Dissertation?
Part II: Preparing for the Climb
3. The Six Inner Essentials
4. Choosing a Dissertation Topic
5. Creating Your Dissertation Team
6. Dissertation Support Groups
Part III: Beginning the Climb
7. Organizing Yourself
8. Conducting a Literature Review
9. Using Computers for Research
10. Mastering the Academic Style
11. Selecting a Methodology
Part IV: Climbing to Base Camp
12. Writing the Introduction (Chapter One)
13. Explaining the Methodology (Chapter Three)
14. Holding the Proposal Meeting
Part V: Final Preparations for the Peak
15. Organizing and Presenting the Literature Review (Chapter Two)
16. Analyzing and Presenting the Results (Chapter Four)
Part VI: Final Ascent
17. Summarizing and Discussing the Results (Chapter Five)
18. The Oral Defense: D-Day
Part VII: View From the Top and Beyond
19. The Next Peak
Parting Thoughts
Appendix A: Sample Dissertation Timeline - Gantt Chart
Appendix B: Source of Data Chart
Appendix C: Sample Participant Letter and Questionnaire
Appendix D: Sample Table - Presenting the Results
Appendix E: Dissertation Content Checklist
Bibliography
Index

About the Author

Carol Roberts is a professor emerita from the University of La Verne, where she taught Leadership in the Doctoral Program. She advised doctoral students, chaired dissertations, and taught a variety of leadership courses, primarily in personal leadership, communication, conflict, and coaching. She has served as a consultant and seminar leader specializing in organizational and team development, strategic planning, conflict resolution, coaching, and personal mastery. Dr. Roberts has been a consultant and trainer for the Administrator Trainer Center and Effective Schools Program, the California School Leadership Academy, and the California School Boards Association. She received her doctoral degree in planning, policy, and administration from the University of Southern California. Carol has also served on the executive board for the Southern Counties Women in Educational Management and was awarded its Woman of the Year award. 

Reviews

Dr. Roberts’s book provides insight into every aspect of developing and writing a dissertation. From selecting a topic, to choosing a committee, to deciding what research approach to use, Roberts provides clear and comprehensive directions for any student faced with the challenge of writing a dissertation.
*Kenneth Stevenson, Professor*

The Dissertation Journey is comprehensive and rich with sound advice. A student following its advice will have a journey that will be predictable and even enjoyable.
*Angus MacNeil, Associate Chair and Associate Professor*

The Dissertation Journey is by far the most user-friendly and complete guide to writing a dissertation I have ever seen.
*Leonard O. Pellicer, Dean, School of Education*

Carol Roberts’ book is one of the most user-friendly and accessible dissertation guidebooks available today. Follow her practical advice and you won’t be one of the 50 percent of all students who start a doctorate, but don’t finish.
*Ronda Dave, President*

"The Dissertation Journey is a no-nonsense guide by Carol M. Roberts to avoiding procrastination, wasted effort, and confusion; it outlines practical, step-by-step guidelines from conceiving a topic to publishing its results. Packed with both helpful general suggestions and specific tips, tricks, and techniques tailored to the needs of doctoral students, The Dissertation Journey includes checklists, sample forms, time management advice, the latest insights to making use of technology, recommendations for support groups, lists of resources for further inquiry, and much more The Dissertation Journey is especially recommended reading for anyone approaching or hard at work on their own dissertation."
*Reviewer’s Bookwatch, December 2004*