Chess and Dissertations
On May 11, 1997, IBM’s computer, Deep Blue, narrowly defeated chess grandmaster, Garry Kasparov, despite being the most powerful chess-playing computer of the day. In your dissertation game of chess should you play like a computer or a grandmaster?…
Most of us would be easily beaten at chess by either Deep Blue or Kasparov. But, it’s useful to think about why it’s so difficult for computers to beat the best chess players.
Computers compare lots of potential moves, as many as possible, to determine which will result in the best outcome. The faster the computer, the better this brute-force approach works. People, on the other hand, think abstractly and plan.
You see, chess is about way more than just learning how all the pieces move. You need to not only know the rules, but you also need to create a plan for the game based on those rules, and then start moving your pieces in a way that accomplishes this plan.
Computers are very good at analyzing massive amounts of random game play to determine which moves are most likely to achieve the goal. But, they’re not so great at developing heuristics to identify classes of moves that can be used to develop a long-term plan.
This planning part is called strategy, and it’s much easier said than done because it requires you to both predict your opponent’s moves and attempt to influence them.
Since predicting your opponent’s moves is very difficult, the opening setup of a chess game is important, because you need to set up your pieces to maximize your likelihood of success in as many scenarios as possible. In fact, the one time Deep Blue defeated Kasparov was when Kasparov made a mistake in his opening.
But, think about it. Do you really want to follow a brute-force approach to your dissertation?
Do you really have the resources to try every potential path until you find one that works?
Even if the brute-force approach eventually results in the best dissertation, is that even the goal?
Don’t you just want to graduate?
On the other hand, what’s the dissertation equivalent of a strong opening in chess?
Developing a detailed, but simple, plan.
If your dissertation has too many moving parts, there’s way too many things that can go wrong. The only way you’re going to win the dissertation game is by getting your dissertation done and approved. The greater the complexity, the greater the risk, the longer it will take, the more likely something will go wrong.
Keep your plan simple, and then stick with it.
Simple, but thorough. Consider the risks, minimize them, and devise contingencies.
One method of data collection for your study. One mode of data collection, if possible.
Know what type analysis you plan to use so that you can collect the right type of data the first time.
Decide how you’re going to position your pieces, er topic, before you even start.
Just like a chess grandmaster, you’ll use your plan as a strong opening to steer your opponent…I mean committee…down the path you want them to go. What path? Approving your dissertation quickly as possible!
Not sure about your opening move? Click here to schedule a quick, 15-minute chat with me to see if you’re a good fit for our Fast Track Your Dissertation Coaching Program. If you are, then I’ll invite you to join the fastest group of dissertation students out there and help you to reach graduation a good year or two faster than you would on your own.
