Special Workshop on Dissertation Writing for PhD Students
Dr. Sarah Alamri conducted a training workshop titled "Special Workshop on Dissertation Writing for PhD Students” at a webinar organized by the Scientific Research, Innovation, and Graduate Studies Unit of the College of Languages and Translation at King Khalid University on November 6, 2024. The workshop provided guidance on navigating the complex process of writing a dissertation by discussing strategies and tools to help PhD students manage their time effectively, set realistic goals, and maintain productivity throughout their journey.
Dr. Sarah began the workshop with a brief introduction, emphasizing that successfully completing a dissertation requires more than just research. It also involves learning and practicing strategic planning, effective time management, strong writing skills, and the ability to navigate the challenges of long-term academic projects. She then outlined the main components of the workshop, which included: planning and structuring the dissertation, developing academic writing skills, implementing time management strategies, utilizing online resources, overcoming common writing challenges and mistakes, and prioritizing mental health and well-being.
In the first two components of the workshop Dr. Sarah discussed two crucial keys in successful dissertation completion. The first significant step for PhD students is to plan and structure their dissertation. To be able to do so a student should have answers for these questions: 1) what are talking about (research questions), 2) why are you talking about them (research significance), and 3) how are you answering the research question (methodology). Planning the dissertation help improving the academic writing skills. Furthermore, Dr. Sarah discussed crucial tips that may enhance the process of writing such as creating detailed outline, writing regularly, organizing ideas logically, revising and editing the work and seeking feedback.
Dr. Sarah also emphasized that effective academic writing requires strong time management strategies and the use of online sources. Creating a timeline by breaking the dissertation into manageable chunks like literature review, methodology, data collection, writing individual chapters, and revisions can help PhD students to manage their time and keep productivity. Setting deadline, using weekly schedule, eliminating distractions and allowing puffer time were also discussed. Dr. Sarah also shared some effective online sources for different purposes during the process of PhD journey such as online classes (Coursera & Udemy), apps for phone distractions (Freedom, Forest & Stay Focused), Tracking time (Timeular) and more other sources.
The last two components of the workshop were about overcoming some common PhD mistakes and taking care of self and well-being. Dr. Sarah highlighted the importance of the following tips: taking note while reading (Literature Review Matrix), making an outline, writing a clear and concise topic sentence for each paragraph, using linking sentences to connect the different part of the writing, and summarize the main point for each chapter and section. Also, Dr. Sarah emphasized the importance of taking care of mental health and well-being to be able to successfully accomplish the dissertation. Students can do so by practicing mindfulness/ mediation, getting enough sleep, getting break, eating healthy food.
Dr. Sarah concluded the workshop by summarizing the key points covered throughout the session, ensuring that all the main ideas were clearly highlighted. Then, she gave some time for questions and discussion.
