Before the Dissertation is designed for students in the social sciences who are still in the early stages of doc- toral study or for master’s-level students considering entering doctoral programs. It focuses on purposes for doctoral dissertation writing, topic choice and devel- opment, choosing and working with advisers, reading and informal writing, and quality-of-life issues.

Each of the nine chapters begins with a common myth about advanced academic work that is then dispelled. The chapters also pose questions that connect issues directly with individual readers so as to help them make sensible decisions about their doctoral work.