There are two sets of difficulties in doctoral work - mental confusion and emotional challenges. There are also two sets main places to go for help: to your university and to web resources - This two by two outline is discussed with step by step suggestions.

1. Thank You for coming
A Map Out of Confusion
Will start in just a moment

2. Please Vote By Raising
Your “Hand” if you have
felt confused, hopeless,
lost, or maybe just got
stuck during…
 Designing a passable
research plan
 Writing your prospectus or
proposal
 Finishing data
collection/analysis and final
writing

3. Confusion
Mind
1. Don’t understand what is expected of me
2. Get back reviews and I don’t understand what they
mean?
3. Completely stuck as to how to proceed to move me
ahead.

4. Confusion
Feelings
• Discouraged
• Loss of confidence
• Loss of sense of self-worth
• Angry
• “Isn’t what I thought would happen – I’ve always been a
good student – or I’m successful in so many other ways”

5. Let’s Think Out of the Box
Which stops YOU the most = Mind or Feelings or does
it have to be both?
To what extent then is it helpful to pull them apart and
aim solutions at each one individually

6. Two Possibilities Of What
You are Up Against…
Educational Responsibility
(Pedagogical)
1. That you weren’t told about the
sequences and subtleties of this task.
2. That you were distracted when you
were told – it didn’t have meaning
then

7. Two Possibilities Of What
You are Up Against…
Life Lessons You May or May Not Have
• You have never written 100 pages together
before
• You have never worked completely
independently before
• You supposed that there would be more
guidance
• You have never faced this much adversity

8. University Help
FOR CONFUSION

9. University Options
Pedagogical
1. Dissertation Classes
2. Supervisor help
3. Access during their
open hours (can
vary greatly
according to
supervisor)
4. Assistant Provost
(TC story)
Emotional
• Library help
• Speakers
• Dissertation support
groups
• Stories in classes and
cohorts

10. DoctoralNet.com Help
FOR CONFUSION

11. The Map & The Index
Address the Mind Issues
1. Do you understand how the parts of the research
design work together?
2. Do you have a clear problem situation to study?
– What are the words used by the editor or
supervisor in the confusing feedback? Trail how
they are used.
– Are the models you are following “good enough”
Find new ones.

12. Step 1: Go Back through Phase 1 Material – Use Map for
Questions and
- Use Index to ensure you haven’t missed any key ideas.
“ I thought I was past that…. I was wrong.” Dr. C. Harper

13. Anyone Want to Work
Through a Confusion Using
These Tools?

14. Step 1: What Kind of Learner
are you?
If Visual read, if auditory
watch video, if kinesthetic
turn everything into a task.

15. Step 2: Measure Your
Confusion on both
mind/emotional levels?

16. Reach Out Emotional
Supports
• Facebook
• Twitter
• DocNet Group
• Webinar Discussions
• Hourly Support

17. Final Things to Keep in
Mind
Educational Help
1. Clear map through
the process
2. Feedback in smaller
bursts
3. Access when you
need it

18. Final Things to Keep in
Mind
Help With the Personal
Challenge
• Lessons from authors writing
books
• Don’t work independently – just
don’t expect the university to
give you all you need – go to
outside sources.
• Lessons from those who have
thrived through extreme
difficulties - the “near miss”

19. Upcoming
News/Events
NEW SITE! Have You Seen It? www.doctoralnet.com
Sign in and use the Members Menu to help find materials….
+ Icons to direct your steps
Saturday
Feb 8th
Sunday
Lecture Selecting
Research Problem
Upcoming Conferences:
Feb 9th
Data Analysis – Quant Style
Feb 15th
Interactive – Developing Feb 16th
YOUR research problem
Setting Yourself Up 4
Success/ Organization Tools
Feb 22nd
Writing Your Problem
Statement
Feb 23rd
A Strategic Approach to
Writing Your Proposal
March 1st
Chapter 1 – The
Lighthouse
March 2nd Data Collection Issues:
What is Enough?