Leading the thesis or dissertation process can be a challenging and rewarding experience. However, serving as a doctoral dissertation or masters thesis Chair is often a role assumed with very little faculty development and a lot of guesswork. Many new (and yes, even experienced) Chairs rely on the secondhand advice of seasoned faculty or on their own lived experiences as graduate students (both good and bad). This can lead to confusion, frustration, and contentious relationships. Without a chairperson who is invested and who has a clear set of best practices, both the Chair and the student are left guessing as to the best course to proceed This book provides a clear set of best practices for the dissertation or thesis chairperson by providing hands-on tools, real-life illustrations, and practical advice for any faculty member guiding and coaching the student through the thesis or dissertation process.
Gretchen Oltman is an assistant professor of interdisciplinary studies at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She is an attorney, educator, and author.Kay Keiser is an associate professor of educational leadership and serves as chair of the educational leadership department at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.Jeanne L. Surface is an associate professor of educational leadership at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She is a former K-12 superintendent.
Preface
Chapter 1- 10 Questions to Ask Before Accepting Your First Chair Assignment
Who is the student?
What are the institutions expectations of a Chair?
Where can I find policies and procedures regarding the process?
Who can I turn to for help?
What form or format does a thesis or dissertation need to be at this university?
How do I know what I dont know? (and what if someone finds out what I dont know??)
Does the methodology and topic the student hopes to use fit your expertise?
Do I have time for this?
Do I want to do this?
What am I bringing from my own experiences into this?
Chpater 2- Being a Chair
The Importance to the Student
The Importance to the Institution
The Importance to the Field of Study
The Importance to the Chair
The Chair as Leader
Takeaway Tips
Chapter 3- Crafting of the Committee
A Committee as an Organization
Storming Toward Consensus
Performing the Defense
Takeaway Tips
Chapter 4- Planning the Dissertation with the Candidate
Comfort the Afflicted
Afflict the Comfortable
Criteria to Set as Ground Rules
Impact of the Method on the Journey
Takeaway Tips
Chpater 5- Feedback and Failure
Setting Up Student/Chair Communication
Helping Students Understand the Timing of the Process
The Chairs Workload
Tears and Fears
Critical Feedback or Coaching?
Shouldnt the Student Already Know This?
Takeaway Tips
Chapter 6- The Ambiguity and Loneliness of the Graduate Student
The Mental Health Crisis Among Graduate Students
Encouraging Self-Care
Practice Makes Perfect
Chapter 7- Common Writing Issues
Guiding Student Writing
Building Habits with Online Tools
Tighten It Up
Emptying the Trash
Using Professional Voice
Plagiarism
The Internet and Other Writing Temptations
Synthesis
Revision
Stepping Away from the Paper
Takeaway Tips
Chapter 8- Problems, Delays, and MisunderstandingsMotivation and Insight
Building Relationship Through Understanding Style
Threatened Intent and Emerging Conflicts
Look in the Mirror
Data or Topic Dilemmas
Takeaway Tips
Chapter 9- Litigation Around the Dissertation and Thesis Process
Student/Faculty Relationship Fallout
Student Failure to Complete within a Designated Timeframe
Conflicts of Ownership and Authorship
Plagiarism
Takeaway Tips
Chapter 10- Preparing the Student for the Defense and Graduation
Preparing for the Defense Meeting
A Typical Committee Meeting
Handling Committee Questions
The Power of I Dont Know
The Decision
Celebrating Success
Addressing Failure
Publication and Shared Authorship
Takeaway Tips
Chapter 11- Avoiding Mistakes and Missteps
Misstep #1. Make everything into a battle.
Misstep #2. Repeat the same conflict, repeatedly.
Misstep #3. Rely on your memory.
Misstep #4. Avoid issues with a pocket veto.
Misstep #5. Let them guess when or if they will get feedback.
Misstep #6. Be reluctant to say NO to a student
Misstep #7: Be the grammar sheriff.
Misstep #8. Use jargon, vague terms, sarcasm, and conflicting directions so students have to rewrite and revise repeatedly.
Misstep # 9. Ignore problems.
Misstep #10. Talk down other faculty members.
Misstep #11. Take advantage of students and junior faculty.
Misstep #12: Become too friendly or too close to the student.
Misstep #13: Assume the university will cover you, so dont watch your back.
Misstep #14: Pretend that you do not make mistakes.
Steps in the Right Direction
Takeaway Tips
References
Appendix A: Beginning Chair Checklist
Appendix B: Preproposal, Prospectus, or Research Agreements
About the Authors
