Argues that multiple theoretical perspectives and applied careers versus basic interests need not divide the discipline of sociology. Contends that the idea of a disciplinary core will be more easily operationalized if sociologists orient themselves toward the skills which comprise the essence of their work. (Author/DH)

Guidelines for research proposal preparation are presented to assist graduate students. The following components of educational research proposals are described: title page, introduction, methodology, schedule and budget, and bibliography or references. The introductory section enables the researcher to: define the study's purpose, review relevant…

Provides advice for graduate researchers on how to get a research project started, research committee relations, design of the research project, keeping motivated, managing time, maintaining momentum, and safeguarding mental health during the research process. It is noted that the advice would be particularly useful for the completion of doctoral…

Written for students on the threshold or in the early stages of a postgraduate degree, this book introduces the key tools and terminology of research, explains what to do before beginning a postgraduate research project, and suggests ways to arrive at a research question or hypothesis. The discussion also covers the student-supervisor relationship…

The conceptual and technical problems that need to be considered when studying graduate student retention and degree progress are examined, and practical suggestions for the institutional researcher are offered. Terms are defined, retention measures are explained, and different types of analysis are outlined. Ideas are given for database…

This guide for graduate students and their supervising university faculty provides practical advice for writing and supervising the thesis or dissertation. The guide is based on input from interviews with more than 100 supervising faculty members as well as other sources. Among changes in this edition are an increased emphasis on the honors…

Advice for doctoral students and fledgling educational researchers presents the following suggestions: (1) use what is known about problem finding to choose a dissertation topic, (2) be persistent in productivity and in the face of discouragement, and (3) replace the typical dissertation structure with a more functional one. (SLD)

The completion of a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation requires discipline, independent initiative, creative thinking, working with others, and the surmounting of self-doubt. This book attempts to facilitate the dissertation process for students. This book is organized around the themes of content and process. The first part of this book…