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Planning, Structuring and Managing your PhD. Dr. Mark Matthews. Thesis. Your first piece of significant academic work Contribution to new knowledge AND a learning process for you. Common problems. Poor planning Methodological difficulties Writing Isolation Personal Problems - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Planning, Structuring and Managing your PhD
Dr. Mark Matthews
Thesis
• Your first piece of significant academic work
• Contribution to new knowledge • AND a learning process for you
Common problems
1. Poor planning2. Methodological difficulties3. Writing4. Isolation5. Personal Problems6. Supervision
Brown & Atkins, 1990
Challenge 1 – getting started
Find out what you are expected to do by:• Attending departmental orientation and
technical programs• Course handbooks• GSO guidelines• Books and websites• Read excellent theses
• Questions:– When am I going to work?– Where will I work?– How will I know if I’m on the right track?
• Avoid anxiety• Get a management system• External deadlines & Rewards• Hopelessly inaccurate estimates are much
more efficient than no estimates at all
Challenge 2 managing yourself
Technological Needs
• What skills do you need?• Temptation• Backups
Information Support Services: • “Planning thesis production using MS Word” • “Using Endnote”• “SPSS”
Challenge 3 managing your writing
• Self-Management• Structure• Academic Writing• Research Journal
Thesis types
Find out the structure for your discipline
Start writing
Formalities (one file)– Cover Page– Key words– Abstract– List of Tables and
Figures– Ethics statement– Statement of
original authorship– Acknowledgements– Table of contents
Chapters (one file each)– Chapter 1. Introduction
and overview– Chapter 2. Literature
review– Chapter 3. Research
question– Chapter 4. Methodology– Chapter 5. Results– Chapter 6. Discussion– Chapter 7. Summary
and conclusions– References/bibliography
Chapter 1
• What the thesis is about (write now)• What the chapters say (write after
they are written)• Summary and conclusion • Why the research is important (write
anytime you work this out)
Structure each chapter
• What is the theme?
• How does it relate to one before and after?
• Have you explained these relationships start and end?
• Where and how can these links be made clearer?
Challenge 4.what is my thesis about?
• Research Statement (25-30 words)• Get feedback on it• Discuss with supervisor • Reach agreement as early as
possible
SPQR
• How would you describe the current situation?
• What is the key problem your PhD addresses?
• What questions arise from problem?• What did you do to answer the question?
(response)
• What you want to do
• What your supervisor wants you to do
• How to contact your supervisor?
• Know supervisor’s strengths/weaknesses
• Isolation
Challenge 5. Your Supervisor
Find out:
• Research Interests
• Recent publications
• Experience supervising
• How much time they will have
• Will you be able to get on?
• What kind of role does your supervisor expect?
Rowena Murray, ‘How to write a thesis’
Challenge 5. Your Supervisor
Challenge 6 – managing content
• Set task targets with your supervisor• Make maximum use of resources• Get your material reviewed by peers
(seminars, conferences, publish)• Make contact with people doing similar
research (network)
What can you do now?
• Make a plan
• Establish a routine / rhythm
• Start writing now
• Read one book on writing
• Read one thesis
• Set long-term / short-term goals
Further help
How to Get a PhD: A Handbook for Students and Their Supervisorsby Estelle Phillips & D.S. Pugh
How to Write a Thesis (Paperback) by Rowena Murray
Our Workshops
Thesis WritingThu 4 Mar 16:00 – 18:00• 5039 Arts Building Developing Critical ArgumentsMon 8 Mar 13:00 – 15:00• Luce Hall Seminar Room Viva PreparationThu 18 Mar 16:00• Luce Hall Seminar Room
Postgraduate Summer School
https://podcast.tcd.ie/users/summerschool/
• Come to Summer School
• Visit the website
Student Learning Development
Visit our website at: http://student-learning.tcd.ie
Email qs to [email protected]
Phone us on 01 8961407