Main Pitfalls To Avoid During Your PhD Dissertation Defense

The time is passing, and you need to finish with writing your Ph.D. dissertation defense. When we are in a hurry to complete our Ph.D. dissertation. Usually, we are making mistakes that can manifest later during the presentation. Students are always wondering what the main pitfalls in the thesis are and how they can avoid them and deliver a quality and unique Ph.D. paper.

Here are some key things that you should avoid:

• Long and unclear sentences. We all want to write as much as possible, but sometimes we are making a huge mistake using all those long sentences. Every long sentence can lose the main point and can give a wrong picture about the topic. Even, if the author knows what he or she want to say in a long sentence, the reader is getting lost after the fifth or sixth word. I can bet that you don’t want to lose your committee members during your presentation. So, use more clear and short sentences. Implement more facts and arguments with simple words. It is better to have a few short and clear sentences in your thesis, instead of one or two long and unclear sentences.


• Check all your statistical analysis with committee members. You don’t want to go to your dissertation defense without a blessing from your committee members when it comes to your statistics and analysis data. Before start with writing, contact your committee members and ask them to check all collect data. Send an email to them saying where exactly they should check and give you the necessary feedback. If your statistical analysis is approved, you can continue with research and write the Ph.D. paper.


• Not keeping the defense presentation brief enough. When you come to the point to present your Ph.D. research in front of a committee members, you should be straight forward and on-point. Be clear with words and facts as much as possible. Don’t use fluffy words. This isn’t a high school essay or poetry. It’s a serious paper, a whole research on given topic and you need to focus on the problem and the solution. Usually, you will have around 15 minutes to shot the important bullet points and facts connect with the topic. Then, there is around 60 to 90 minutes of questions where you need to give straight answers. Finally, there is a moment for general discussion where you can say some free thoughts that you have about the topic.

Just be confident when you stand in front of the committee members, believe in your research and show your best presentation skills.