Avoiding Pitfalls While Writing a PhD Dissertation

Writing a PhD dissertation is a difficult task that provides a number of potential pitfalls and mistakes students can easily make. Stress, fatigue and a number of other factors can all cloud your concentration and as a result lead to you submitting inferior work. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Having an incomplete bibliography: Your bibliography is the glossary of your entire dissertation and is a considered an essential part to your theory because it lists all of the works you have consulted to develop your argument. It provides a framework for your review committee to help them understand the scope of your research and work.


• Making too many generalizations: Your PhD dissertation is perhaps your most important piece of academic writing at this point in your life. Make sure you don’t generalize your claims by using words like “others” “some” “etc.” and more. General statements can show a lack of dedication and be confusing. Be specific about your topic and mention each term that you have found in your research.


• Referring to or quoting books you haven’t read: If you have made a reference to a book, article, study or any of a number of other types of sources, make sure you have actually read it. Your review committee will want to be sure you haven’t just picked up a few of lines that support your work. In your defense, members of the review committee will ask you more about your references. If you can’t provide answers, then your dissertation will be put into question.


• Spelling mistakes: There is absolutely no excuse for your dissertation to have any spelling errors. You should have used your computer’s spell checker as well as have completed several checks on your own as you proofread your drafts. If possible, have a friend or colleague read your work before submitting just to give you the added peace of mind.


• Having a repetitive conclusion: Your conclusion might be the most important part of your dissertation. Your committee will be very interested in it because it will be the last thing they will read and because it will be a summary of your entire work. What you don’t want to do is simply restate your major points word for word. Instead, focus on showing how your major points are all connected. Give your reader an impression that you’ve come to the end and have successfully proven your argument.