This highly practical guide provides information that will help research students avoid needless mistakes. It informs and advises you about many of the important facets of postgraduate research, including: what it means to conduct research at doctoral level the requirements for independence, contribution to knowledge, originality and suitability for publication planning a research project over a period of time responsible research practice criteria used in the examination of a PhD. Getting a PhD is an essential handbook for PhD students and provides plenty of useful advice for Masters students or undergraduates conducting a research project.
Getting a PhD in Law is a unique guide to obtaining the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Law in the UK. While there is a wide range of study guides for PhD students in the social sciences and other science-based disciplines, there is very little information available on the process of obtaining a PhD in law. Research degrees in law share some attributes with those in related disciplines such as the humanities and social sciences. However, legal methodology and the place of the PhD in law in the young lawyer's career create unique challenges that have not been addressed by existing guides. Getting a PhD in Law fills this clear gap in the market, providing an accessible guide to the PhD process from topic selection to thesis publication. This readable and informative guide draws on interviews and case studies with PhD students, supervisors and examiners. Getting a PhD in Law will be essential reading for the growing numbers of PhD students in the UK's many law schools-and those internationally who wish to learn from UK best practice.
"Mastering Your PhD: Survival and Success in the Doctoral Years and Beyond" helps guide PhD students through their graduate student years. Filled with practical advice on getting started, communicating with your supervisor, staying the course, and planning for the future, this book is a handy guide for graduate students who need that extra bit of help getting started and making it through. While mainly directed at PhD students in the sciences, the book's scope is broad enough to encompass the obstacles and hurdles that almost all PhD students face during their doctoral training. Who should read this book? Students of the physical and life sciences, computer science, math, and medicine who are thinking about entering a PhD program; doctoral students at the beginning of their research; and any graduate student who is feeling frustrated and stuck. It's never too early -- or too late! This second edition contains a variety of new material, including additional chapters on how to communicate better with your supervisor, dealing with difficult people, how to find a mentor, and new chapters on your next career step, once you have your coveted doctoral degree in hand.
Everything you ever need to know about making it as a scientist. Despite your graduate education, brainpower, and technical prowess, your career in scientific research is far from assured. Permanent positions are scarce, science survival is rarely part of formal graduate training, and a good mentor is hard to find. In A Ph.D. Is Not Enough!, physicist Peter J. Feibelman lays out a rational path to a fulfilling long-term research career. He offers sound advice on selecting a thesis or postdoctoral adviser; choosing among research jobs in academia, government laboratories, and industry; preparing for an employment interview; and defining a research program. The guidance offered in A Ph.D. Is Not Enough! will help you make your oral presentations more effective, your journal articles more compelling, and your grant proposals more successful. A classic guide for recent and soon-to-be graduates, A Ph.D. Is Not Enough! remains required reading for anyone on the threshold of a career in science. This new edition includes two new chapters and is revised and updated throughout to reflect how the revolution in electronic communication has transformed the field.
If you are doing, thinking about doing, or know someone who is doing a doctorate, then this is the survival kit you need! Rather than focusing on the technical side of the doctorate, this book looks at all the other crucial skills that are part of everyday doctoral life. This candid book provides real insight into what it's like to do a doctorate and offers practical advice on: The application process Sources of financial support Motivational issues Student-supervisor relationships Departmental and university politics Publishing, conferences and networking Career strategies Written by recent doctoral graduates, the book also includes real examples and case studies from current doctoral students and recent graduates across a range of disciplines and universities. By demystifying the doctoral process How to Survive Your Doctorate prepares you for life as a doctoral student like no other book. See for yourself and be a survivor!
It provides a practical, down-to-earth and realistic approach to studying for a PhD and offers support and reassurance for both students and supervisors.This brand new sixth edition has been thoroughly updated and revised throughout, and includes: New material on how PhD students can make use of online forums, social media, online survey tools and other technologies throughout the PhD process A new Chapter 10, 'Some challenges you may encounter throughout your PhD' includes practical advice for tackling prejudice and dealing with the pressures that can face early career researchers Expanded material on avoiding plagiarism and poor academic practice and increased coverage of issues faced by part-time PhD students The book retains its focus on delivering clear and practical advice, including tips for writing proposals and applying for funding, managing your time, writing an engaging PhD, and handling the viva. Long regarded as the PhD 'bible', this edition is brought right up-to-date for today’s student, retaining the straightforward and practical approach that has made it indispensable for students and supervisors across all academic disciplines. “How to Get a PhD stands out in the field due to its breadth and comprehensiveness. Whilst studying for a PhD, I bought several of these types of books. I wish instead I had saved my money and simply bought How to Get a PhD. I would recommend this for any PhD students, for anyone thinking about studying for a PhD, or indeed for new PhD supervisors.” David Wilkins, Senior Research Fellow, Tilda Goldberg Centre, University of Bedfordshire, UK “A thoroughly useful book to recommend to students (and prospective students) to help guide them through the practicalities of achieving a PhD.” Dr Russ Grant, University of York, UK and independent postgraduate teaching consultant
The central idea of PhD in the USA is that any student with a university degree can get a postgraduate degree in the United States. This book outlines the steps for getting accepted to a university, and shatters the myths and fears which keep thousands of students from starting the postgraduate adventure. Whatever your situation may be, this book will help you make the decision and start the process. You will learn everything you need to know about how to prepare your application and how to get paid for doing your graduate studies. This book will take you by the hand up until the moment your plane lands at the closest airport to the university where you will study your master's or doctorate. The goal is to reduce your anxiety and give you confidence for the journey. In this book you will learn:- that your age, being married, or having children are not obstacles to pursuing your postgraduate degree in the USA- how to deal with fears that may be working against you- the benefits of postgraduate studies in the USA- how to prepare yourself to take the TOEFL and the GRE exams- how to find a graduate program in the USA- how to fill out the application- how to prepare your "academic writing sample"- how to write your "statement of intent"- how to get a full scholarship- how to find a house or apartment near the university, while still in your country- your agenda for the week before the first semester
This book aims to increase the success rate of academic research in general and PhD research specifically. It focuses on providing scholars, researchers, and students with the knowledge pertaining to planning and executing the art and the science of academic research and PhD research in order to successfully deliver the expected outcome. It provides insight into the motivations and the challenges associated with academic research and illustrates these motivations and challenges by sharing the results of a survey that expresses the views of PhD students. By leveraging project management techniques to help the researchers to break down and structure their dissertation work, the book provides a ready to use toolkit for the required research deliverables. In addition to having templates, it offers sample work of the author’s dissertation as practical guidance. The book offers tips on how to structure and write the dissertation and prepare for the defence as well as providing an insightful summary into the evaluation criteria used by the defence jury. It takes the reader, step by step, through all the stages and aspects of the PhD research journey. It will thus serve as a useful and insightful manual or guidebook.
Accessible, insightful and a must-have toolkit for all final year doctoral students, the founders of the ‘Thesis Boot Camp’ intensive writing programme show how to survive and thrive through the challenging final year of writing and submitting a thesis. Drawing on an understanding of the intellectual, professional, practical and personal elements of the doctorate to help readers gain insight into what it means to finish a PhD and how to get there, this book covers the common challenges and ways to resolve them. It includes advice on: Project management skills to plan, track, iterate and report on the complex task of bringing a multi-year research project to a successful close Personal effectiveness and self-care to support students to thrive in body, mind and relationships, including challenging supervisor relationships. The successful ‘generative’ writing processes which get writers into the zone and producing thousands of words; and then provides the skills to structure and polish those words to publishable quality. What it means to survive a PhD and consider multiple possible futures. Written for students in all disciplines, and relevant to university systems around the world, this unique book expertly guides students through the final 6–12 months of the thesis. The 'Insider Guides to Success in Academia' offers support and practical advice to doctoral students and early-career researchers. Covering the topics that really matter, but which often get overlooked, this indispensable series provides practical and realistic guidance to address many of the needs and challenges of trying to operate, and remain, in academia. These neat pocket guides fill specific and significant gaps in current literature. Each book offers insider perspectives on the often implicit rules of the game -- the things you need to know but usually aren't told by institutional postgraduate support, researcher development units, or supervisors -- and will address a practical topic that is key to career progression. They are essential reading for doctoral students, early-career researchers, supervisors, mentors, or anyone looking to launch or maintain their career in academia.
Moving beyond the basics of thesis writing, the book introduces practical writing techniques such as freewriting, generative writing and binge writing. Issues such as working out the criteria for your thesis, writerʼs block, writing a literature review and making notes into a draft are also covered. Useful summaries and checklists help students to stay on track or regain their way. Learn how to: Develop good writing habits Overcome writer’s block Understand the assessment process Get the most from your Supervisor New to this edition: New visual map of your thesis to track your progress through the writing process Advice on using social media productively and avoiding potential distractions during your writing More support on writing in a second language Using writing retreats and micro-groups to benefit from writing alongside others New material on how to finesse your thesis by "back-revising" at the final stages Advice on writing schedules for part-time students New chapter summaries to aid reflection and give pointers for next steps
