Dissertation Resource Center

The Graduate College is committed to ensuring your success in engaging in authentic and original research as part of your advanced degree program. As you prepare to carry out your dissertation research, please consult the resources below that may be useful in your efforts to fulfill your doctoral degree.

GETTING STARTED

•    Download Microsoft Office for free if you do not have it.
•    Tips on setting your SMART goals (University of North Carolina).
•    Setting your SMART goals template (Fillable PDF)
•    Explore published dissertations via OhioLINK ETD Center.
•    Talk with your faculty advisor/committee chair(s) about your department’s or college’s dissertation expectations.
•    Manage your library research.
•    Develop your research questions (University of Michigan) with your committee chair(s).
•    Understand the basics of a literature review.

STAYING ORGANIZED (WEBSITES & APPS)

Organization Apps
•    Awesome Note
•    Evernote
•    Google Drive
•    Todoist
•    Trello
Maintaining Resources and Citations
•    Using Spreadsheets (Inside HigherEd)
•    Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley

STAYING PRODUCTIVE (WEBSITES & APPS)

Books about Academic Writing
•    The Writing Workshop by Barb Sarnecka (full text available free online)
•     How to Write a Lot by Paul J. Silvia (APA blog)
Background Noise
•    Ambient Café Sounds
•    Café/Restaurant Noise Generator
Website/Distraction Blockers
•    Cold Turkey
•    RescueTime
•    Forest 

OBTAINING RESEARCH APPROVAL

Before doing any research, consult with your faculty advisor/principal investigator to determine what training and approval you may need from the Office of Research Compliance (ORC).

COLLECTING YOUR DATA

Scheduling Interviews
•    Calendly
•    Doodle
•    SignUpGenius
Conducting Interviews (with recording capabilities)
•    Google Meet
•    Skype
•    Zoom
Transcribing Interviews
•    EHHS Research & Evaluation Bureau
•    oTranscribe
•    Temi
•    Transcribe
Creating Surveys
•    Google Forms
•    Qualtrics (access provided as a KSU student)
•    Survey Monkey
•    Survey Planet

ANALYZING YOUR DATA (Download at Kent State Software Catalog and make an appointment with Statistical Consulting)
Qualitative Data Sets
•    NVivo
Quantitative Data Sets
•    JMP
•    SAS
•    SPSS

FINALIZING YOUR DISSERTATION

Editing and Proofreading
•    Ask in your department about any recommended editors, if needed
•    Scribbr
•    ServiceScape