BOOKS
New Book by Steven J. Bourgeois, PhD
The purpose of the book is to help doctoral students successfully complete their dissertation. This book possesses a theoretical grounding in motivational theory, along with insight into how consultation can push a student past the tipping point, resulting in completion, rather than procrastination. I seek to demystify the dissertation process and to provide hope to individuals who have lost momentum in their capstone academic project. In addition to articulating experiences of the consulting/coaching process, I call on voices of doctoral students, current and former, revealing their own understanding of this unique process. I present these comments as a dialogue between students and myself in one of the culminating chapters (Chapter 10), adding tangible experience to support my theoretical musings. The book is divided into three main parts: Part I includes an articulation of the need for supporting doctoral students. Chapters include 1) roadblocks to completing a dissertation, 2) how to gain traction, and 3) the centrality of feedback. Part II represents an effort to demystify the dissertation, with chapters representing the main sections of the “writing project.” These include 4) building a case for your study, 5) literature review, 6) method, 7) presenting your findings, and 8) discussion and conclusion. Part III, titled “putting it all together,” and includes chapters on 9) overcoming writer’s block, 10) voices of doctoral students and professors, 11) leveraging your dissertation professionally, and 12) final words of wisdom in the form of motivational speeches.
