Doctoral Support Center & Doctoral Programming Blog

Wednesday! Library Skills & Resources

Brush up on your library skills and learn what USC libraries has to offer.

This workshop, by Dr. Jade Winn, will teach library research methods for doctoral students. Library services, searching techniques, statistical sources, and testing and measurement resources will be discussed. 

The presentation will be Wednesday, September 1 from 3:00 - 4:00PM in MRF 204.  RSVP the DSC at rossier.dsc@usc.edu

Can't make it live but still want to take part?  No problem! 

You can view the webcast of the presentation (live or recorded) and take part by doing the following:

1. Go to the blackboard website at https://blackboard.usc.edu
2. Select User Login:

• Username - enter your USC email username.
• Password - enter your USC email password.
• Once you login, under the section "Course List" select "20061_rsoe_dsc_ns00002: RSOE Doctoral Support Center (DSC)"

3. Click on the left menu button reading "Online Resources"

• note the DSC username and password (you'll need it to get to the programs)
• click the link for the DSC Online catalog
• enter the username and password
• enter "DSC Presentation Webcasts"
• click the link for "Library Resources" to view the program

Critical Reading Workshop - Online Now!

Dr. Gokce Gokalp's presentation on Critical Reading of Scholarly Articles was held today (Wednesday August 25th).  This session is focused on reading academic texts in a scholarly and critical manner so as to get the most out of your readings.Did you miss it and still want to take part?  No problem! 

You can view the webcast of the presentation and take part by doing the following:

1. Go to the blackboard website at https://blackboard.usc.edu
2. Select User Login:

• Username - enter your USC email username.
• Password - enter your USC email password.
• Once you login, under the section "Course List" select "20061_rsoe_dsc_ns00002: RSOE Doctoral Support Center (DSC)"

3. Click on the left menu button reading "Online Resources"

• note the DSC username and password (you'll need it to get to the programs)
• click the link for the DSC Online catalog
• enter the username and password
• enter "DSC Presentation Webcasts"
• click the link for "Critical Reading & Analysis" to view the program

All the handouts for the presentation are available via Blackboard in the "Course Documents" section under "Presentations and Handouts."

If you have any questions or want to share the results of your own critical reading, join the Backboard discussion of the presentation.  It's in "Presentations and Workshops" part of the "Discussion" section.

Having trouble getting access?  Contact the DSC at rossier.dsc@usc.edu.

The same presentation will also be offered on Saturday 28 August 2010 (10:00 - 11:00AM) in SOS B49.  To attend, RSVP the DSC at rossier.dsc@usc.edu.

Quick Tip: Getting a Room

Is your dissertation or qualifying defense approaching soon?  Then you need to reserve a room. 

The best way to get one is to contact the EdD programming office -- either through your cohort adviser or by calling the office at (213) 740-9323.  They'll help you out.

Fall Writing Groups Beginning!

Start the fall with with a renewed commitment to your research and writing!  

The writing groups are a forum available to students each semester as they continue to work on their proposal and dissertation. Students are encouraged to develop individual writing goals and schedules for the completion of their dissertation. We have had great success with the writing groups over the last year. This forum is an opportunity for students to stay engaged with the dissertation process and commit to meeting their goals for the semester. Please contact Dr. Gokalp at gokalp@usc.edu if you are interested in participating in a writing group this semester.

Orientation for this summer groups is Saturday, September 18th in WPH Rm. 201.  The agenda can be downloaded here: Download Agenda Fall WG Orientation

If you were unable to attend orientation but are still interested in joining, please contact Dr. Gokalp gokalp@usc.edu  

Guidelines: What the Graduate School Is Looking For

Once their dissertations are revised and approved, a number of students get stuck on the question of what the Graduate School is looking for (a copy of the Graduate School Guidelines can be downloaded here).  Having worked as an assistant thesis editor for several years, I can hopefully help to clarify this process. I'm giving a few tips here, but be sure to check your manuscript against the Grad School guidelines.

It's important to remember that the Graduate School is not going to question the content of your manuscript.  What you've written about is a matter between you and your dissertation chair.  What the editors at the Graduate School are concerned with is the form / style of your dissertation -- things like margins, page numbers, headers and the style of your title page. 

The first and most important things to get right are your margins.  They must be at least one (1.0) inch on the top, bottom and right side and one and an half (1.5) inches on the left.  On a document the size of most dissertations, margin size makes a difference in the number of pages, so make sure you get this right before you do your other finishing work, otherwise the page numbers in the Table of Contents will be incorrect.  Your page number should be in either the top or bottom right corner and that location should be the same through out.   Remember not to let the page number break the margin!

Follow the sample title page in the Guidelines as closely as you can.  Many mistakes involve details on the title page.  Make sure you follow the sample and don't add any information other than what is asked.  Then check the order of the elements to make sure you have that right. 

There's nothing to be fearful about, but it's good to make sure you're as accurate as you can be.  If you want me to check over your manuscript, contact me at annemari@usc.edu!

Next Week: Presentations on Reading and Research

The DSC is happy to announce that we have two presentations next week.  Our first is:

Critical Reading Analysis (Dr. Gokce Gokalp)
Wednesday, August 25 (3:00 - 4:00 PM)
Saturday, August 28 (10:00 - 11:00 AM)

This session will focus on reading academic texts in a scholarly and critical manner so as to get the most out of your readings.

Library Resources (Dr. Jade Winn)
Saturday, August 28 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Wednesday, September 1 (3:00-4:00 PM)

This workshop will teach library research methods for doctoral students. Library services, searching techniques, statistical sources, and testing and measurement resources will be discussed.

Please RSVP: rsoedsc@usc.edu !