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ABD TO PH.D.: COUNSELING INTERVENTIONS TO FACILITATE DISSERTATION COMPLETION
Abstract
This study investigated the effectiveness of an intervention program designed to accelerate progress on the dissertation and gathered interview data on the dissertation process. Twenty-two doctoral candidates were interviewed individually at four points during the study. Experimental subjects attended four group sessions comprised of lectures and discussions. Topics covered included time management, negative emotions, motivational strategies, the advisor-student relationship, problem solving, and writer's block. Experimental subjects completed an evaluation form at the conclusion of the treatment period. All subjects completed a semantic differential on the concepts advisor and dissertation, a locus of control scale, and an anxiety inventory during the first and fifth week of the study. All subjects kept a weekly record of progress on the dissertation for eight weeks. The results indicated that experimental subjects made more progress on the dissertation and were significantly more positive toward the concepts "advisor" and "dissertation" following treatment. No significant differences were found on the anxiety inventory or the locus of control scale. The interview data suggested that developmental issues of generativity and intimacy may conflict with progress on the dissertation. Variables which emerged as sources of delay included lack of intermediary deadlines, negative self-statements which interrupted progress, and need for better time management skills. Group support was rated as the most helpful component of the treatment program. The results suggest that delay in finishing the dissertation cannot be attributed to a single trait variable. Students reached impasses which required individual solutions derived from a broad range of behavioral change interventions. It is recommended that future research address the issue of intervention, with emphasis on multimodal intervention strategies.
Subject Area
Psychotherapy
Recommended Citation
FRANEK, SALLY ANNE, "ABD TO PH.D.: COUNSELING INTERVENTIONS TO FACILITATE DISSERTATION COMPLETION" (1982). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8227010.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8227010