A study examined areas of the doctoral dissertation process that are often problematic for the Ph.D./Ed.D. candidate in the field of communication. Subjects, 250 randomly selected Speech Communication Association members holding a Ph.D. or an Ed.D. were surveyed. Of the 250 surveys mailed, 137 were returned, representing a 54.8% return rate. Results indicated that: (1) subjects most frequently cited the pressures and demands of employment as the greatest barrier to dissertation completion; (2) subjects conducting quantitative research struggled more with data collection and interpretation, had more difficulty in choosing a topic, and saw their advisors as more supportive than those who conducted qualitative research; and (3) women were significantly more likely to let their perfectionism stand in the way of dissertation completion and experienced more difficulty in narrowing a topic than men. Findings suggest a chronological discussion of dissertation survival techniques: read dissertation guide books before classes start; talk to recent graduates of the doctoral program; purchase a computer and printer; enroll in courses to help focus the dissertation idea; explore research ideas in term papers; write a thorough proposal; choose a dissertation director and committee members carefully; keep track of progress on the dissertation by keeping a log; if depression sets in, obtain professional counseling or join a dissertation support group; avoid delays caused by perfectionism; and quickly publish at least one or two articles from the dissertation. (Twenty-five tables of data are included; 41 references and the survey instrument are attached.) (RS)