Phd Successful Approach

Dr. Najib Altawell

The Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP)

Dundee University

January 2011

PhD- Successful Approach -

Agenda

The Supervisor

Year 1 – Literature Review and Methodology Outline

Year 2 – Methodology Structure

Research Work

*Year 3 – Additional Data and Final Results

*Year 4 – Thesis Writing

Viva (Presentation - Sample)

Recommendations * Number of Years (Research degree ‘PhD’) can be 3 or 4

The Reason I am doing my PhD… because…..!

To Be Trained As An independent Researcher

Why Research?

Original work!You Are Spending Four Years (or maybe more) of your life!

PhD?

Your Supervisor Approach

Three Types

1 out of 4 PhD Students

-Have Problems Supervisors-

The Supervisor

Literature Review and Methodology Outline

Example: Five - Seven Months

Several Outlines For The ‘New Methodology’

Year One

SMART

SpecificMeasurable

AgreedRealistic

Time Bound

Aims and Objectives

Example :

Aim/Aims

Aim

To apply a system approach to biomass materials for the purpose of finding the most economical and

efficient types capable of producing sufficient energy on commercial scale

Example:

1. To focus on locally produced biomass materials 2. To design and implement a new methodology for biomass energy,

with reference to other renewable sources of energy3. To convert the new methodology into a friendly user software4. To maximise the energy output from various types of biomass

materials5. Identify engineering solutions that can make the biomass adaptable to present and future electricity generating devices

6. Minimum processing requirements for biomass7. Formulate technology needed for longer storage life

8. Less unwanted by-products from co-combustion

Objectives

The Pyramid

Example:

Step Three

Business

Business

Step Two ‘Scientific

& Technical’

Step One

‘Regulations & Environmental Issues’

Initial Approach:Example

Methodology Structure

Research (Laboratory) Work

&

Compiling REA* Methodology Software

Sponsor: e.g. E-ON

REA = Renewable Energy Analyser

Year Two

Example:

Additional Data (Survey Method)

&

Final Results

• Data from the survey method

• Data from laboratory tests

• Data from the commercial environment

Year Three

Example:

Part of The Continuous Training Process

One presentation/year

(sponsor e.g. 2 – 3 months)

Results: Third Year Presentation &

Conference Presentation

Presentation

Thesis Writing

Instructions From Your Supervisors

Example: 6 – 12 Months

Year Four

Who Will Be Present During Your Viva?

External Examiner Internal Examiner

Viva

• What was the research about?

• Why there was a need for this kind of research?

• How it has been done?

• What has been found?

• What are the implications of these?

Questions

Example:

‘In Sweden today, power production with bio-energy systems is more costly than with fossil energy

system’

(Gustavsson L., et al. 1998)

1. COST

Example:

‘…..What about the selection of the biomass materials?’

2. Selection

Risks Someone else has already published your work!Loss of data, computer damaged/stolen (back-

up)The actual research is different than the original

proposal lack of motivation Supervisor leaves

SicknessPersonal problems

Laboratory Hazards Difficulty in accessing resources and equipment

Your Project

Gantt Chart

Dates (starting and finishing for each task)

Relationships between tasks

Regular feedback from your supervisor

Monthly Report

Results of the past month and how do you value them!

Any Deviation from the original plan?

Next month tasks and how to achieve them!

Conferences

At least one conference per year

Get Involved/Connect With ‘The Experts’

Oral or Poster Presentation

DATADATADATADATADATADATADATADATA

Collecting Data on every step

Analysis of Data

Writing (It is part of your thesis materials)

Publishing

Thesis Writing and Time Management ’Thesis Writing’ Calendar

Supervisor

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Abstract/Introduction/Summary

Thesis Submission

Viva

Thesis cover sheetContents

Figures and/or TablesAbstract

AcknowledgementsIntroduction

Literature ReviewMaterials and Methods

ResultsDiscussion

Conclusion & suggestions for further workReferencesAppendices

Thesis regulations: e.g. Max. and Min. number of words, etc.

Standard Thesis:

The Overall

Make-Up

Copyright waiver

Declaration

Publications

Conferences Attended

Final Steps

Final editing - including issues related to layout/binding/printing

Clarification for some sections of thesis, if needed!

Whatever spare-time leftuse it to look for a job!

Four Years is not enough?

You Need more time?

Time and planning is your Responsibility

Also

The responsibility of your Supervisor & Institute

ExtensionExtensionExtensionExtensionExtensionExtensionExtensionExtension

Your voice(It is not just what you say; it is how

You say it!)

Speak Clearly and Do not RushDo not deviate from your subject

‘Presentation’ is not ‘Conversation’Avoid monotone, i.e. By changing the speed and the pitch of

your voice and pause at key points you will create an atmosphere of interest

Body Language and Facial expressionsLook at the audience during your talk (with eye contact,

rapport can be created with the audience)Express alertness and interest in the subject

Final Presentation: Viva

Congratulations!

You have completed ‘successfully’ your PhD

What next?

Post-DocIndustry

AcademiaOr

Something completely different?

Thank you for listening.

Questions?