101 tips for planning, writing and surviving your dissertation

101 dissertation, thesis, essay or assignment tips!

101 Tips for Planning, Writing and Surviving Your Dissertation is a friendly book packed full of tips, reassurance, advice and wisdom for students who want help with study skills, organising work and writing assignments.

Even if you’re not yet at the dissertation stage.

Get your copy here:

Amazon   Waterstones   GBBS

Kindle   Kobo

What’s it all about?

Are you wondering how to start your research or dissertation journey, swimming through a sea of papers or looking for help knitting your discussion together?

Do you need advice for getting the most out of your tutor or how to keep on track with your thinking, writing and analysis?

What is critical analysis, in fact, and how do you do that while still having a life?

The 101 dissertation tips in this book cover a wide range of areas from how to create a good question and keywords to what to do when someone publishes a groundbreaking new study on your topic the week before you’re due to submit your work.

Written in an accessible, friendly style and seasoned with first-hand advice and comments from others who have trodden the path, this book combines sound, practical tips from an experienced academic with reminders of the value of creativity, chocolate and naps as investments in your work.

Dr Sara Wickham has written three dissertations of her own, served as the editor of three professional journals and authored fifteen books. She also lectures internationally. This book draws upon Sara’s experience of midwifing hundreds of people on their research journeys.

Read the first chapter here for free!

Get your copy here:

Amazon   Waterstones   GBBS

Kindle   Kobo

What are people saying?

“Extraordinarily helpful.

This book is great. Lots of tips and great ideas that help with keeping on track and making a good use of your time when writing!” Lia

“So kind and comforting – it’s like going out for a coffee with a much cleverer and calmer friend. Just what I needed mid PhD wobble. Really practical, straight-talking ideas and no waffle. Sara was even kind enough not to laugh at my gigantic ideas board covered in post it notes when I reached out to her. Highly recommended as an antidote to dusty, navel-gazing and confusing books about epistemology and ontology.” Lyndsey Hookway

“A endearing lighthearted approach, with sound advice for the novice researcher.” (Amazon)

“While Sara’s background is in healthcare, this book is written for anyone who intends to write a dissertation – whether it be in maternity care, maths, or rocket science. Reading Sara’s writing feels like sitting beside your worldly-wise aunt with a cup of tea, while she shares everything she has learned with you.

As the title suggests, this is a book of tips. Each tip focusses on a different stage in the process of completing a dissertation – from conceptualising it to completion. They are all extremely practical, solution focussed, and realistic. When I got stuck at particular points (like my discussion), I pulled the book out to “see what Sara has to say” and always found something that helped.” Kirsten Small, Obstetrician.

Get some sample tips for free

A few FAQs

Is it just for midwives?

No. There are lots of midwifery examples, because that’s my field. But I have also supported and supervised people undertaking research in other areas. These are as wide-ranging as medicine, engineering, women’s studies, statistics, philosophy, education, nursing, travel and tourism, psychology, science, anthropology, information studies and epidemiology. And (with permission, of course) I’ve shared a few examples from some of their experiences too.

Is it just for people writing dissertations?

Actually, although that is the main focus, a lot of the tips relate to study skills, writing, thinking about questions, working with tutors and other elements of academic work. And  that may be just as useful earlier or later in your academic career. So it’s useful if you’re a pre-dissertation student or are thinking of becoming a student. Or if you have been a student and are writing up research in a different way now. Also, I’m aware that a lot of people undertake undergraduate projects or extended literature reviews rather than traditional dissertations. I’ve covered that too.

Are the tips quite short?

No, these are not one-line tips. Many are article-length discussions on different areas. They’re juicy and in-depth and I hope, as my website tagline says, they will offer information, inspiration AND illumination!

About the Author

Dr Sara Wickham is an author, educator, and researcher. She has more than 25 years experience as a midwife and educator and her first book was published in 2001.

Sara is now the author or editor of eighteen books and has edited three midwifery journals. She provides in-person and online educational and consultancy services for midwifery, medical and health-related practitioners and organisations around the world.

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