The Dissertation Completion Timeline: Answers to “Are you still writing that paper”?

 

By Lilian H. Hill

 

The holidays are here, and it’s time to visit family. You know the dreaded question will arise: “Are you still writing that paper?” Whether the question comes from your parent(s) or your most critical uncle, the tone may differ, but the question is the same. Your parent(s)’ questions are probably motivated by concern for your well-being, while your critical uncle (or sibling, aunt, neighbor—you choose) is saying, “What is taking you so long? Why can’t you get on with it?” Another relative (neighbor, friend, etc.) may say they know someone who completed their dissertation much more quickly than you.

 

Most relatives, friends, and neighbors don’t understand the dissertation process. Describing the specifics of your dissertation won’t help, often because the topic is unfamiliar to most people. For example, my cousin, whose doctorate was in organic chemistry, would say his dissertation topic concerned sulfur reactions. Most of us replied, “Oh,” because we barely knew what sulfur reactions were. So, what can you tell the people in your circle to help them understand?

 

A General Response

Dissertations often take a long time to write because they require in-depth exploration of a topic, extensive research, data collection, analysis, and synthesis of information. The complexity of the topic influences the length of time, the methodological rigor required, and the nature of the discipline.

 

Your relatives may be making unfair comparisons based on disciplinary differences. You can explain that using the following information:

 

·      The Sciences. Dissertations often involve experiments, hypothesis testing, and data collection, which can be time-consuming. The work may depend on the availability of lab equipment, extensive travel, grant funding, or other resources. Unexpected setbacks, such as failed experiments or equipment malfunctions, can extend timelines. Scientific writing is concise and heavily data driven. The dissertation requires detailed explanation of methodologies, results, and statistical analyses, which must be clearly presented.

·      Social Sciences. The social sciences frequently integrate theory and data from multiple disciplines, requiring a deep dive into literature review and conceptual analysis. Dissertations may involve qualitative methods like interviews, ethnographies, or surveys. They may also involve instrument development which requires repeated testing to ascertain reliability and validity. These methods require a significant amount of time. Social science dissertations balance empirical findings with theoretical frameworks, necessitating thoughtful interpretation and contextualization of results.

·      Arts and Humanities. Dissertations in the arts and humanities are typically argument-based rather than hypothesis-driven. They often involve extensive critical analysis of texts, artworks, or cultural phenomena, which can require years of immersion in primary and secondary sources. In some cases, dissertations include creative works or practice-led research, which require iterative processes of creation and reflection, adding to the timeline. Writing is more exploratory and interpretive, often involving complex argumentation and nuanced use of language, making revisions particularly intensive.

 

Type of Doctoral Program

Some doctoral programs have moved to a capstone project or publication requirements instead of a dissertation as the culminating product. For example,

 

·      PhD Dissertations focus on theoretical knowledge and the advancement of academic disciplines, aim to contribute new knowledge to the field, often through original research, and emphasize theoretical frameworks, hypothesis testing, and implications for academia. Students in these programs may be aiming for an academic career. The dissertation is typically longer than a capstone project, depending on the discipline.

 

·      Capstone Projects involve practical applications in professional settings, aim to address real-world problems and improve practice, and often involve applied research that informs policy or enhances organizational effectiveness. Students in these programs usually head for a leadership role, and the capstone may be a shorter document than a typical dissertation.

 

·      Publication-Based Dissertation Format: Instead of one long dissertation, students must publish multiple peer-reviewed articles (typically 2–5) that collectively form their doctoral thesis. The articles are accompanied by an introductory chapter that describes the context, research questions, and objectives. A concluding chapter presents a synthesis of ideas, implications, and future directions for research. Some programs use a hybrid model, which requires at least one peer-reviewed publication before graduation. The difficulty with the publication-based models is that the publication process is impossible to control; there is no certainty that your research will be accepted for publication, and the duration of the process is unpredictable.

 

Practical Obstacles

Completing a dissertation can be challenging due to funding and practical obstacles. Difficulty accessing research funding, data collection costs (for software, lab materials, access to specialized tools), and limited institutional support present barriers to dissertation completion. Practical obstacles include limited access to resources, administrative delays, lack of mentorship, and technological barriers. Balancing the cost of tuition, housing, and daily expenses while dedicating time to research can be difficult, especially for students who need stable institutional support. Doctoral programs tend to discourage outside employment because it detracts from a student’s ability to focus on the dissertation. Employment outside the university is prohibited for international students which makes them dependent on university assistantships and mentor support.

 

Family Responsibilities

The traditional doctoral education model was designed with a specific archetypal student in mind: a young, single male student with no family or caregiving responsibilities. This model assumed a student's full-time, uninterrupted dedication to their studies, unencumbered by external obligations. By contrast, the current reality of doctoral students reflects a much more diverse and complex demographic. Today, doctoral students represent all genders, ages, marital statuses, and parental statuses. For example, a friend of mine gave birth twice during her doctoral program, divorced, and lost grant funding for her research. Many people would have given up, but she completed her dissertation with determination and time.

 

Many doctoral students are mid-career professionals, caregivers, and individuals who balance complex personal lives. Some students return to school later in life, often while maintaining full-time or part-time jobs, and have significant professional experience before starting their doctoral journey. Students usually enroll part-time or take breaks to accommodate work, family, or health needs. Many students juggle substantial financial responsibilities, including family support, mortgages, or student debt. For this reason, dissertation completion is only one life goal among many rather than a sole focus in life.

 

Being able to communicate about the dissertation as a valuable but laborious, time-consuming, and resource-intensive process will help you explain why you are taking so long to complete that “paper” to family, friends, and neighbors. Preparing to answer the dreaded question in advance will help you do so calmly without feeling defensive.

 

If you need help in completing a dissertation, consider hiring a coach. SCOC Consulting offers various coaching services designed to help graduate students succeed.

 

 

Coaching for Graduate Students | Coaching for Academics