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Introductions
Why am I here?Why are you here?Activity - Get to know the people you will be working
with Who you are & the area of your research Why you decided to do a PhD Where you hope it will take you
Dr C Wilson 2009
What is a PhD?
Dr C Wilson 2009
A PhD is about making an original contribution to knowledge
You don’t need to re-invent the wheel to make a contribution to knowledge
A PhD is primarily a research training exercise
The Doctorate
Dr C Wilson 2009
Year 1: You will be encouraged to attend some training In addition the formative stage of the doctoral process is to:
Begin your literature review Develop or refine your research
Year 2: Normally dedicated to conducting field or laboratory research, including data collection and analysis. Writing of research papers
Year 3: Consolidate your research, write your thesis, defend your work
Your Research
Choose a partner Describe Briefly :
The context of your research (literature and background) The aim of your research (what you will add) The methodology
Just 5 minutes each
Dr C Wilson 2009
Your Motivations…
Advance knowledgeUndertake international level researchDevelop Personal Knowledge and ExpertiseDevelop Research SkillsAcquire advance qualifications for career development
Important to know why you are doing research
Dr C Wilson 2009
How to Get a PhD
Dr C Wilson 2009
The only way to succeed at PhD level, is to take responsibility for your own learning, and your own progress from the outset
1. Nag yourself everyday2. Set yourself goals
3. Build in a structure4. Give yourself treats5. Discipline Yourself
6. Send yourself to bed7. Do NOT be too proud to ask for help
8. Eat Your greensRef: Self Parenting – Peggy Foster
How Not to Get a PhD
Over or Under estimating what is requiredNot having a thesisTaking a new job before finishing
Dr C Wilson 2009
The PhD - Getting Started Health Check
Dr C Wilson 2009
Physical / Financial Keep Physically active – helps stimulate mental activity, increases energy
levels and has a positive effect on motivation Financial difficulties - seek help and advice early on
Social / Relation Avoid social isolation Social support is good – interpersonal relationships are often critical to
academic successEmotional / Psychological
A doctorate is an emotional rollercoaster Ask for help Maintain a work – life balance
Matthiesen & Binder, 2009
Set Objectives!
Set targets and deadlinesClearly express what you need to do
Helps clarify the tasks to be doneHelp motivate yourselfAssess progress against the plan
Know when you have achieved the objective
Dr C Wilson 2009
Setting SMART Objectives
Dr C Wilson 2009
A PhD is: Complex, Iterative and Confusing
Agree with your supervisor goals which are:
Specific MeasurableAchievableRealisticTime Bound
SMART Activity
In pairs discuss what you are aiming to achieve in your research in the next 6 months
Spend some time turning these into SMART objectivesCheck with your partner – are these really SMART?Take your notes to your next supervisors meeting and
discuss
Dr C Wilson 2009
Some Survival Suggestions
Dr C Wilson 2009
Plan Your time – Remember it’s a Marathon not a Sprint! Annual year plan monthly and weekly plans: prepare and revise A daily ‘to do’ list keep a diary and use it daily
Define your research project within 6 monthsSet a realistic scope for the projectComplete a literature review in 3 monthsLearn to be independentStay abreast of new journal releasesMaintain contact with your supervisor (weekly or two weekly)
Planning Your PhD
Identify your project constraintsIdentify your scope - Remember - Know the limitationsMake use of Project toolsGet an experienced researcher or your supervisor to
check your plan
Dr C Wilson, 2009
Activity: Mind Map – Your Research
For your research topic: Set out a mind map which includes the key information
surrounding you and your project Include any questions or areas of uncertainty Identify any risks Compare your approach to the person next to you and see if
their mind map adds any ideas to yours
Dr C Wilson, 2009
Supervision – Your Role
Dr C Wilson 2009
Turn up to appointments and be well prepared. Take responsibility for your own time Do the research and agreed research tasks within agreed
timescale, show enthusiasm Write regularly and share drafts, learn your methodology Be truthful. Be direct if you have anxieties about supervision
(Delamont et al 2000) Keep a research log and keep it up to date Maintain a relationship with your supervisor and accept
supervisory guidance
Dr C Wilson 2009
Offer regular supervision to student – show enthusiasmRead work in advance of meetings (with reasonable
notice)Comment on work, in writing where appropriateOffer guidance with encouragement (doesn’t mean
doing the work for the student!)Support involvement in research activities
Supervisor(s)’ roles
Managing your relationship with supervisor(s)
Dr C Wilson 2009
Schedule meetings – agree on how often and how longAgree at the end of each meeting an agenda for the nextAgree a means of communication between meetingsAgree how records of meetings will be keptTry and get your supervisor(s) to be explicit about what
they are offering to do, and what they expect from you both in broad terms and on the occasion of each formal meeting
2 supervisors: always ensure that everyone included in all communications
Develop a Network
Seek out other students Training /seminars Coffee room In your office
Talk to other researchers Share problems and worries Ask advice Share ideas, references and tips
Support each other
Dr C Wilson 2009
Next Step - Refining your research question
Dr C Wilson 2009
What is the purpose of the research?Does it fulfill the requirements of a PhD thesis? Is your topic practical/feasible and what are the
constraints? (ownership of data)Is it sensibly scoped?(too wide or too narrow)Consider its political or ethical acceptabilityIs it interesting to you?Will It be interesting to others?
Research Ethics
Personal integrity Part of a professional community Who might be potentially interested in or affected by my research? What are the implications for anyone who is involved in my research What are the implications for me?
Quality of research worthy of publication
Reproducibility If your work has the impact you hope it will, at some point someone will
want to repeat it and develop it
Dr C Wilson 2009
Next Step – Literature Review
Set yourself deadlines and milestonesUse the Abstract - it allows you to browse. If it looks interesting,
read it. If not, dump it.Check the references - helps you to position the articleBefore you tackle the ‘superbook’ remember that articles may
give a neat summary of theoryIf you are finding a book difficult, read some reviews of it – these
might help you find a ‘way in’Record all the details of the articleAvoid Plagiarism - Make it clear in your notes whether you have
“lifted” from the text, or summarised in your own words
Dr C Wilson 2009
Impact on You…
Early stages of research are often repetitionWhen you try to repeat someone’s work make critical
judgements about the accuracy/validity of their descriptions
Ensure your records will enable someone to repeat your work
Dr C Wilson 2009
Practical tips
Keep a journal – maintain it on ‘daily’ basisKeep a ‘card system’ for references – helps you cross referenceRecord everything relevant to your research – Summarise data and
record initial thoughts, leave space for notes to be added at a later stage
Write up methodology or data into paper / thesis formatNote ideas for future work and explain reasoningIdentify any points needing discussion or clarificationHave an open mind and question everythingEvery now and then look up and see the big holistic picture! No Backup - No Sympathy!!
Dr C Wilson 2009
Attitude and Realistic Expectations
Consider yourself as a research professional in training, rather than a student
Strive for respect as a valued research colleague through a mature approach
Remember that a PhD is a 3 year project and a path to your next career stage
Dr C Wilson 2009
How to Keep Going!
Dr C Wilson 2009
Keep checking your goals as you go along. What did you intend to do this week, this term, this year? Are you keeping up? If not, can you accelerate your progress? Or do you need to revisit your goals.
Remember you can share your plans for project managing your PhD with your supervisor(s)
References
Dr C Wilson 2009
How to Get a PhD: A Handbook for Students and Their Supervisors Estelle Phillips, Derek S. Pugh (2005) Open University Press
How to Write a thesisRowena Murray(2003) Open University Press
How to Survive Your Viva: Defending a Thesis in an Oral Examination Rowena Murray(2003) Open University Press