Writing a Thesis or Dissertation A Guide to Resources

Compiled by Gricel Dominguez

Updated May 2012

Books on the Thesis/Dissertation Process

Biggam, J. (2011). Succeeding with your master's dissertation: A step-by-step handbook. McGraw-Hill
International [UK] Limited.
Bolker, J. (1998). Writing your dissertation in fifteen minutes a day: A guide to starting, revising, and
finishing your doctoral thesis. New York: H. Holt.
Bryant, M. T. (2004). The portable dissertation advisor. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Calabrese, R. L. (2006). The elements of an effective dissertation and thesis: A step-by-step guide to
getting it right the first time. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.
Krathwohl, D. R., & Smith, N. L. (2005). How to prepare a dissertation proposal: Suggestions for students
in education and the social and behavioral sciences. Syracuse, N.Y: Syracuse University Press.
Lunenburg, F. C., & Irby, B. J. (2008). Writing a successful thesis or dissertation: Tips and strategies for
students in the social and behavioral sciences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Mauch, J. E., & Park, N. (2003). Guide to the successful thesis and dissertation: A handbook for students
and faculty. New York: M. Dekker.
Murray, R. (2011). How to write a thesis. Open University Press.
Ogden, E. H., & Ogden, E. H. (2007). Complete your dissertation or thesis in two semesters or less.
Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Roberts, C. M. (2004). The dissertation journey: A practical and comprehensive guide to planning,
writing, and defending your dissertation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Rudestam, K. E., & Newton, R. R. (2007). Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content
and process. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.
Single, P. (2009). Demystifying dissertation writing: A streamlined process from choice of topic to final
text. Stylus.
Smith, P. A., & Calabrese, R. L. (2010). Faculty mentor's wisdom: Conceptualizing, writing, and defending
the dissertation. R&L Education.

White, B. (2011). Mapping your thesis: The comprehensive manual of theory and techniques for masters
and doctoral research. ACER.
Books on How to Write a Literature Review
Aveyard, H. (2007). Doing a literature review in health and social care: A practical guide. Maidenhead:
Open University Press.
Galvan, J. L. (2009). Writing literature reviews: A guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences.
Glendale, CA: Pyrczak.
Machi, L. A., & McEvoy, B. T. (2009). The literature review: Six steps to success. Thousand Oaks, CA:
Corwin Press.
Pan, M. L., & Lopez, M. (2008). Preparing literature reviews: Qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Pub.

Books on Academic Writing & Research Design

Boudah, D. J. (2011). Conducting educational research: Guide to completing a major project. Thousand
Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Conrad, C., & Serlin, R. C. (2011). The Sage handbook for research in education: Pursuing ideas as the
keystone of exemplary inquiry. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Johnson, A. P. (2003). A short guide to academic writing. Lanham, MD: University Press of America.
Lichtman, M. (2006). Qualitative research in education: A user's guide. Thousand Oaks: Sage
Publications.
, R. W. (2009). Doing theological research: An introductory guide for survival in theological
education. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock.
Schreiber, J., & Asner-Self, K. (2011). Educational research: The interrelationship of questions, sampling,
design, and analysis. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Writing Style and Citation Manuals available at Reference

A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by Kate L. Turabian, 6th edition
A Writers Reference by D n H cker, 6th edition

Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition

CNS Stylebook on Religion, 3rd edition
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th and 7th editions
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th and 6th editions
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation, 18th and 19th editions

Writing after Graduation

Kursmark, L. (2012). Best resumes for college students and new grads: Jump-start your career!. JIST
Publishing.

Writing a Thesis or Dissertation - Tutorials, Guides, &

Suggestions
Dissertations. (2012). Retrieved from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Writing Center website:
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/resources/handouts-demos/specific-writingassignments/dissertations
Cassuto, L. (2011, September 11). Demystifying the dissertation proposal. The Chronicle of Higher
Education. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/article/Demystifying-the-Dissertation/128916/
Gaines, K. (2002). The basics of academic writing. Retrieved from University of Arizona, Graduate
Writing Resource website: http://www.gwr.arizona.edu/topics.htm