Where to start with dissertation!!!?

Question

I'm not too sure at all what to do my dissertation on, I'm studying sport which at the time of the course beginning I loved.. but now I'm not too passionate about it anymore, so am struggling with the whole motivational aspect =[

Which is the first step to writing a dissertation? Please note: this isn't for submission this year, but for next, however I'm wanting to look in to doing it more so as I would like a good grade!

Thanks,

xx

Answer 1

You don't have one problem -- you have two.



The first thing you have to do is figure out if you really want this PhD. You should not get a PhD unless you are passionate about the research. It may be that your problem is a temporary one & that you will get a second wind. But if you really don't want to do the research -- then don't get the PhD.



OK -- now to the second problem -- choosing a topic. You don't really give us enough information about your field other than it is about Sport. Here are a few things you should think about:



1. Read as many scholarly journals as possible to get a feel for the kind of work required in your field.

2. Talk with other students and faculty about topics that would be good for research.

3. Think long and hard about topics that interest you in this field.

4. This may be the most important -- look at what kind of data and information are available to you. Then think about what you can do with those data.



Regarding my first point -- don't do anything rash -- but think long and hard about why you want this PhD.



Good luck.

Answer 2

I'm very confused. A dissertation is normally the major project on your doctorate. If you are working on a doctorate in sport, and you aren't passionate about it, maybe you should not begin work on a dissertation at all. That process is long and involved and hard to do even if you ARE passionate about your subject matter.



Preliminarily, the first thing you should have in place is finding an advisor. That dissertation advisor is crucial to any approaches you may take on your dissertation, as they will set the requirements. You also need to make sure that the topic you choose is one of sufficient interest to the advisor so that you can count on them for support.



The first step to writing a dissertation is finding a research topic. You read extensively on all areas surrounding your area of interest in order to find something which has not yet been fully explored, so that you can add something significant to the body of literature in the field.

Answer 3

While you think about a topic you need to get prepared and this is what I recommend.



1. Learn to use Word really well so that you can format documents, use footnote or end note with ease etc.



2. Get acquainted with Harvard and all the quirky things you need to do for referencing.



3. Buy a book stand and make all your notes on the computer. Note page references etc.



4. Start the bibliography with the first book you pick up.



5. Research and read everyday for a fixed period of time, as you get into the research you'll become inspired and get motivated.



6. Brush up your writing skills by writing every day even if it is just answering on Yahoo like I do.

Answer 4

First choose a subject. Ideally something that interests you, you are going to spend a long time researching it/writing it, believe me. If sport as such is not floating your boat these days, think of other areas you are interested in, and see if you can relate that back to sport, eg psychology, politics - history, that sort of thing. Sports and obesity - selling off playing fields to fund school building, there's probably tons of things.



It is good that you are thinking about it early, as this gives you chance to check out a few leads, before deciding what to do. Ideally you want to pick a topic on which you can find alot of material, but not one that has been done to death.



To be more worthwhile it should be more than a piece of decription, and a little investigation/original research always goes down well - although that is more usual in post grad theses.



When you've decided and got it approved - stick to it like glue . When I picked mine , I kept coming across all sorts of other subjects which sounded far more interesting, than the one I had picked (Architectural salvage, since you ask). Resist the temptation to change horses in mid stream, as that can spell disaster - and use your time wisely to pick a subject that will sustain your interest.

Answer 5

I would love to help you but I dont know enough about your doctoral specialty. There are a wide range of scholarly pursuits that intersect with sports. One guy in Exercise Physiology did his dissertation on "The Physiology of the Golf Swing".

Answer 6

Think about what inspired you in the first place, or any new idea's that you might have had since you started, Is there anything contentious you may feel about sport. Explore the edges of your imagination. Good Luck.