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10 hints for choosing a dissertation helper

During the process of writing your dissertation, there will be many occasions when it’s very helpful to have someone else’s assistance. It’s even better if you can work continually with the same person. That’s because often the task will require some background knowledge of the topic as well as your particular approach to it. If each and every time a new task comes up, you have to spend time educating your assistant about the project, two things will happen. First, you’ll be wasting precious time. Second, your helper is likely to be less competent than an assistant who has helped you throughout the project.

Options for Dissertation Helpers

  1. Other Grad/Post-grad Students

    2. For many grad and post-grad students, the best option is another student who is also working on their dissertation. Of course, this means that you’ll be aiding them in return, but for many tasks this sort of reciprocal relationship is perfect.

  2. Online Services

    3. While online services aren’t ideal for some things, they can be helpful for others. A reliable, reputable editing service, for example, can be a great help. However, keep in mind that a good service will probably be expensive.

  3. Undergraduate Students

    4. If you ask your department head, they may be able to suggest an undergraduate who shows promise that could be helpful to you. You’ll generally need to have some sort of exchange—either monetary payment or academic help.

    Traits Your Helper Should Have

  4. Experience in Your Discipline

    5. One of the most important traits your helper needs to have is background knowledge of your topic.

  5. Time

    6. Your helper should have enough free time to devote to helping you.

  6. Schedule

    7. Free time isn’t useful if your schedules are too much at odds; be sure to ask about this.

  7. Compatible Personality

    8. The research and writing process can be a long one—don’t choose someone you’re guaranteed to butt heads with.

  8. Work Ethic

    9. You need to know that if you ask your helper to do something that it will get done, and a good work ethic helps!

  9. Motivation

    10. In addition to a personal work ethic, there should be some other sort of motivation, whether it’s payment, academic, or something else.

  10. Attention to Detail

    11. With the best of intentions, an unfortunate mistake could cause you a huge headache. Your assistant should have be detail-oriented to avoid this.

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