Surviving Both the Proposal and Final Dissertation Defenses

Mike Ahearne (Houston)

& John Hulland (Georgia)

AMA DocSIG Presentation, February 21, 2014

Agenda

•  Committee considerations

•  The dissertation proposal

•  Managing the final defense

What to Look For From Your Committee Members •  Willingness to devote sufficient time to review and give

feedback on drafts

•  Committed to seeing you get done in a timely manner

•  Provide some form of “added value”, be it methodological, conceptual, substantive, supportive and/or reputational

•  Good synergy with other members and works well with the chair

The Dissertation Proposal

•  A formal step in the dissertation •  Encompasses full scope of dissertation •  Timing –  Not before you are ready to discuss – in some detail –

all facets of dissertation (e.g., all three essays) –  Don’t wait too long! –  At a minimum (pre-AMA) –  Rely on advice of your chair

The Dissertation Proposal - 2

•  Typically involves a full presentation of proposal, followed by Q&A

•  Often open to the public •  Formal decision by committee

–  If approved, represents a “contract” between you and committee –  Good chair will not allow student to defend proposal that is not

solid –  If not approved, push for specific, detailed feedback –  Represents an opportunity to cement committee commitment

The Final Dissertation Defense

•  The final formal step •  Typically involves a full presentation of the

dissertation, followed by Q&A •  Often open to the public •  Formal decision by committee

Managing the Final Defense

•  Plan to have a final draft version of the dissertation in (internal) committee members hands at least three weeks before submission date

•  Submission is often 2-3 weeks before actual defense date

•  This will give you time to make final changes (if necessary), and it escalates committee member commitment

Managing the Final Defense - 2

•  Work with your chair to decide when it’s time to schedule a defense

•  Do not ignore her/his advice!

The Defense Day

•  Accept the fact that you will be nervous •  If you have chosen the committee (and especially

the chair) wisely, they will be supportive •  Expect them to challenge you during the defense •  Remember, if you have taken true ownership of

your topic and dissertation, you are the expert

Afterwards

•  If successful –  Congratulations! –  Expect to be asked to make some changes –  Make sure you fulfill all of the bureaucratic

requirements of your institution –  Enjoy yourself (for a little while), you deserve it!