Typewriters and Dissertations
June 23rd is National Typewriting Day. Even though you’re not using a typewriter for your dissertation, the QWERTY keyboard has a lot to do with getting your dissertation done, fast!…
Happy National Typewriting Day! Grab your typewriter and get to work typing out that dissertation! What’s that? You don’t have a typewriter? Chances are you are still using a keyboard on your computer that is configured in the QWERTY arrangement. Ever stop to think why on earth the keyboard is set up that way?
The QWERTY keyboard design was first created to help prevent typewriter jams. Frequently used keys couldn’t be next to each other, because having both simultaneously depressed would cause them to get jammed together. Later, the design was optimized for ease of typing and then standardized.
Design is important. I don’t know about you, but if someone threw a different keyboard configuration at me I’d have a pretty hard time typing a sentence! Dissertation design is equally important!
How can the design of your dissertation help you be successful? For starters, you will want to make sure you know what your topic is going to be. Make sure it is narrow! Nothing jams up a dissertation quicker than a broad topic with no real focus.
Next, you’ll need to make sure your study is designed to allow you to collect the data you need. Sounds simple, but good design should always seem simple. Making it seem simple is the hard part!
Finally, layout and outline the sections of the dissertation before you start to write. Fill out each section like you’d fill out a form. Make it as easy as possible,,,by design!
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