• Part I: Getting a Sense of the Terrain. 1. Comparing a Dissertation to a Long Term paper, 2. Jumping Through Hoops: Going on a Journey: Personal Metaphors for the Process, 3. The Stages in Writing a Dissertation: An Overview, 4. Pithy Insights and Suggestions for Success, Part II: Preparing for Your Study, 5. Creating Your Setting and Identifying your Dissertation Topic and Research Questions, 6. Forming Your Dissertation Committee, 7. Your Dissertation Committee: Roles and Responsibilities, 8. Creating a Professional Setting with Student Colleagues, 9. Developing a Productive Setting, Part III: Doing Your Study, 10. Writing your Dissertation Proposal While Designing Your Dissertation Research, 11. Conducting Your Study, 12. Analyzing and Interpreting Your Data, 13. Presenting Your Findings: Drafting and Revising Your Dissertation, 14. Defending Your Dissertation: Preparing For Your Orals.

'Brause's book ... presents a detailed experiential account of the processes of becoming a doctoral graduate, from first principles of 'why?' via the hurdles of engagement with institutions, supervisors ... up to and including the viva voce examination. It also managed the very rare feat (for an academic work) of having me read it in a single sitting ... Brause offers an extremely well laid-out work, which tackles every possible hurdle which can potentially derail the doctoral student - from money problems to the untimely death of professors!' - Adults Learning