Theses and Dissertations: a Guide to Planning, Research, and Writing. - book review

College Student Journal, June, 2002

Westport, Connecticut--London: Bergin & Garvey, 2000 R. Murray Thomas and Dale L. Brubaker

This book is designed for graduate students who are preparing master's degree theses or doctoral dissertations. The book is organized according to stages of the research-and-writing process. Although those stages are applicable in all academic disciplines, the book's examples of topics and data-gathering methods are more directly associated with the social and behavioral sciences than they are with the physical sciences and the arts. Thus, students in the social and behavioral sciences-and in such allied fields as education, social work, and business are likely the ones for whom this volume will be most useful. The writing style throughout is intentionally conversational, as if the authors were talking directly with students.

The book is organized around five stages (including two sub-stages) which are divided into 15 chapters. The appendix includes an outline of a dissertation proposal. There are several very useful inclusions. I would recommend the Planning Checklists (there is one far each of 13 of the 15 chapters) for all masters and doctoral students who are contemplating a thesis or dissertation.

The book includes a current, extensive bibliography and subject index.