Ph.inisheD.
A Practical Guide to Getting Your Dissertation Written, Approved, and Your Degree in Hand
Summary
You’ve done the research. You’ve analyzed the data. So why is writing the final dissertation so overwhelming? If you're a qualitative researcher lost in a sea of data, unsure how to structure your story or find your academic voice, this book is your lifeline.
PhinisheD is not another theoretical textbook. It’s a practical, hands-on coaching session from someone who’s been there. Gregory S. Szarycz, PhD, bypasses abstract advice to give you what you really need: real examples from successful dissertations.
Inside, you’ll discover how to:
- Structure each chapter with clear, actionable blueprints.
- Craft a compelling introduction that hooks your examiner from page one.
- Write a literature review that argues, not just summarizes.
- Present qualitative findings with clarity and confidence.
- Build a powerful conclusion that proves your contribution.
Packed with annotated excerpts, sentence templates, and “Try It Yourself” exercises, PhinisheD transforms the solitary writing process into a guided workshop. Stop struggling alone. Open this book, find your chapter, and get the words on the page. Your finished thesis is waiting.
Excerpt
Table Of Contents
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- List of Figures
- List of Tables
- List of Tasks
- List of Language Boxes
- Foreword
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction: About This Book
- Chapter 1 Structure and Introduction
- Chapter 2 The Literature Review
- Chapter 3 The Methodology Chapter
- Chapter 4 The Data Chapters
- Chapter 5 The Final Chapter
- Chapter 6 The First Few Pages
- Answers and Resources Section
- A Final Word: From Student to Scholar
Let’s be honest. At this point, I keep writing books, so my wife has something new to read in the dedication.
It’s the least I can do. While I’m lost in abstractions, she’s mastering the reality of our life. This book, like the others, is a testament to her unwavering patience and support, which is the real intellectual contribution behind every page.
To My Wife, the love of my life and the silent co-author of all my work: Thank you for your grace, your strength, and for keeping our world spinning while I stare at mine. This is your book, too.
To My Daughter, the boss of the house: Thank you for the mandatory play breaks and for proving that the best ideas often come when you’re not trying to force them. You are my favorite distraction. You remind me that I am a father first.
Thank you both for being my reason to write and my reason to stop writing when it matters most.
Contents
List of Figures
Figure 1.1. A Map for Writing a Qualitative Thesis (Adapted from Holliday, 2007)
Figure 1.2. Example Table of Contents from a Ph.D. Thesis (Chapter 1)
Figure 1.3. Examples of Thesis Outlines from Three Qualitative Ph.Ds.
Figure 1.4. Stages of a Thesis Introduction (Adapted from Anderson, 1993)
Figure 2.1. Revisiting Thesis Outlines (Reprinted from Chapter 1, Figure 1.3)
Figure 5.1. Conclusion Chapter Outlines from Three Qualitative Theses
List of Tables
List of Tasks
Details
- Pages
- XXII, 186
- Publication Year
- 2026
- ISBN (PDF)
- 9781805843665
- ISBN (ePUB)
- 9781805843672
- ISBN (Softcover)
- 9781805843658
- DOI
- 10.3726/b23529
- Language
- English
- Publication date
- 2026 (July)
- Keywords
- Qualitative research PhD thesis academic writing literature review methodology chapter thesis structure finishing your dissertation graduate student guide research methods writing coach Dissertation writing
- Published
- Oxford, Berlin, Bruxelles, Chennai, Lausanne, New York, 2026. xxii, 186 pp., 8 fig. b/w, 6 tables.
- Product Safety
- Peter Lang Group AG
