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Authoring a PhD

How to Plan, Draft, Write and Finish a Doctoral Thesis or Dissertation

  • Textbook
  • © 2003

Overview

Authors:
  1. Patrick Dunleavy

    1. London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK

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    • Covers all the core aspects of doctoral research, from forming research questions through to final submission
    • Includes a chapter on getting published, with practical guidance on writing and submitting journal papers and reshaping a thesis into a monograph
    • Draws on the author’s own experience of supervising over 30 PhD students

Part of the book series: Macmillan Study Skills (MASTSK)

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-XIII
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Becoming an Author

    • Patrick Dunleavy
    Pages 1-17

  3. Envisioning the Thesis as a Whole

    • Patrick Dunleavy
    Pages 18-42

  4. Planning an Integrated Thesis: the Macro-Structure

    • Patrick Dunleavy
    Pages 43-75

  5. Organizing a Chapter or Paper: the Micro-Structure

    • Patrick Dunleavy
    Pages 76-102

  6. Writing Clearly: Style and Referencing Issues

    • Patrick Dunleavy
    Pages 103-133

  7. Developing Your Text and Managing the Writing Process

    • Patrick Dunleavy
    Pages 134-156

  8. Handling Attention Points: Data, Charts and Graphics

    • Patrick Dunleavy
    Pages 157-196

  9. The End-game: Finishing Your Doctorate

    • Patrick Dunleavy
    Pages 197-226

  10. Publishing Your Research

    • Patrick Dunleavy
    Pages 227-263

  11. Back Matter

    Pages 264-297
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Keywords

About this book

This engaging and highly regarded book takes readers through the key stages of their PhD research journey, from the initial ideas through to successful completion and publication. It gives helpful guidance on forming research questions, organising ideas, pulling together a final draft, handling the viva and getting published. Each chapter contains a wealth of practical suggestions and tips for readers to try out and adapt to their own research needs and disciplinary style.

This text will be essential reading for PhD students and their supervisors in Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, Business, Law, Health and related disciplines.

Authors and Affiliations

  • London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK

    Patrick Dunleavy

About the author

PATRICK DUNLEAVY is Professor of Political Science and Public Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a member of the Academy of the Social Sciences, London. He has authored numerous books and academic articles in political science and is currently general editor of the journal Political Studies. This book draws on his experience in supervising more than 30 doctoral students over two decades, and in teaching a large inter-disciplinary course on 'Drafting and Writing a PhD' at the LSE over twelve years. In the field of study skills Patrick Dunleavy has also published Studying for A Degree (Macmillan, 1986). He was awarded the Political Science 'Making a Difference' Award by the Political Studies Association in 2003.

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