Writing Dissertations and Theses in Psychology A Student’s Guide for Success

This accessible guide equips students to succeed in their master?s thesis or doctoral dissertation in psychology. The authors provide concrete assistance to the myriad tasks and requirements that students will encounter as they plan, conduct, and present their dissertation or thesis research.

Drawing upon their many years of experience in working with graduate students, the authors address the multiple stages of the dissertation and thesis process. They take you through drafting the proposal, the advisor-advisee relationship, interacting with committee members, the writing process, handling obstacles, and the final presentation. Chapters provide guidance on using a research team, collecting data, conducting a literature review, and even acquiring financial support. Finally, students will find additional resources such as practical information on copyright issues, research methods, case analyses, and teleconferencing.

This is an essential book for both graduate psychology students working on their master?s theses or doctoral dissertations and their advisors.

1. Introduction to Writing Dissertations and Theses in Psychology: A Student’s Guide for Success
2. Your Dissertation Advisor
3. Your Dissertation Committee
4. Developing the Focus and Methods for Your Dissertation
5. How to Conduct and Organize Your Literature Review
6. How to Write Your Dissertation Competently and Efficiently
7. Strategies for Organizing Your Dissertation
8. Moving Your Research Along: Pilot Studies, Research Teams, Initial Data Collection, Funding, and Getting Unstuck
9. Submitting Drafts to Your Dissertation Advisor and Responding to Feedback
10. Principles of Dissertation Research Methods
11. Getting Your Dissertation Research Approved by Institutional Review Boards
12. Preparing and Presenting Written Sections of Your Dissertation to Your Advisor and Committee
13. Presenting Your Proposal and Your Dissertation to Your Committee

Stephen N. Haynes received his PhD from the University of Colorado, USA, in 1971 and is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, USA. He has served on 14 editorial boards, published more than 130 articles and nine books, and supervised 70 theses and dissertations.

John D. Hunsley received his PhD from the University of Waterloo, Canada, in 1985 and is Professor of Psychology at the University of Ottawa, Canada. He has served on numerous editorial boards and has authored over 140 articles, chapters, and books. He has supervised 17 doctoral dissertations and served on numerous dissertation committees.