How to Get a PhD - 4th edition
4th Edition
Published on 1. June 2005
Book
Other book format
978-0-335-22745-7 (ISBN)
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Description
Reviews of the third edition:
This remains the best general.introduction to working on the PhD.
It is well worth consulting by anyone considering the PhD as a route
to take, either part-time combined with employment, or full time as
a route into academia.
Social Research Association
This is an excellent book. Its style is racy and clear.an impressive
array of information, useful advice and comment gleaned from the
authors' systematic study and experience over many years.should
be required reading not only for those contemplating doctoral study
but also for supervisors, new and experienced.
Higher Education
Since the first edition of this innovative book appeared in 1987 it has
become a worldwide bestseller. Through it many thousands of students
in all faculties and disciplines have been helped to gain their PhDs.
Practical and clear, this book examines everything students need to
know about getting a PhD through research in any subject. It also helps
supervisors and examiners to better understand their role in the process.
New to this edition:
- Completely updated throughout
- New section on increasingly popular professional doctorates such as
EdD, DBA and D.Eng
- New material for overseas, part-time and mature students, and their
supervisors
- New diagnostic questionnaire for students to self-monitor progress
- Takes in the impact of the new Code of Practice of the Quality
Assurance Agency
Includes stories of other PhD students, problems they encountered and
how they dealt with them!
How to get a PhD is the essential handbook for doctoral students!
This remains the best general.introduction to working on the PhD.
It is well worth consulting by anyone considering the PhD as a route
to take, either part-time combined with employment, or full time as
a route into academia.
Social Research Association
This is an excellent book. Its style is racy and clear.an impressive
array of information, useful advice and comment gleaned from the
authors' systematic study and experience over many years.should
be required reading not only for those contemplating doctoral study
but also for supervisors, new and experienced.
Higher Education
Since the first edition of this innovative book appeared in 1987 it has
become a worldwide bestseller. Through it many thousands of students
in all faculties and disciplines have been helped to gain their PhDs.
Practical and clear, this book examines everything students need to
know about getting a PhD through research in any subject. It also helps
supervisors and examiners to better understand their role in the process.
New to this edition:
- Completely updated throughout
- New section on increasingly popular professional doctorates such as
EdD, DBA and D.Eng
- New material for overseas, part-time and mature students, and their
supervisors
- New diagnostic questionnaire for students to self-monitor progress
- Takes in the impact of the new Code of Practice of the Quality
Assurance Agency
Includes stories of other PhD students, problems they encountered and
how they dealt with them!
How to get a PhD is the essential handbook for doctoral students!
More details
Content
Preface
Chapter 1 - On becoming a research student
The nature of doctoral education
The psychology of being a research student
The aims of this book
Action summary
Chapter 2 - Getting into the system
Choosing the institution and field of study
The scientific research programme
Eligibility
Grants and research support
Distance supervision?
Choosing your work context
Selecting your supervisor
Starting out as a research student
Myths and realities of the system
The 'ivory tower'
Personal relationships
Teamworking
Action summary
Chapter 3 - The nature of the PhD qualification
The meaning of a doctorate
Becoming a fully professional researcher
Differences between the MPhil and the PhD
Aims of students
Aims of supervisors
Aims of examiners
Aims of universities and research councils
Mismatches and problems
Action summary
Chapter 4 - How not to get a PhD
Not wanting a PhD
Not understanding the nature of a PhD by overestimating what is required
Not understanding the nature of a PhD by underestimating what is required
Not having a supervisor who knows what a PhD requires
Losing contact with your supervisor
Not having a thesis
Taking a new job before finishing
Action summary
Chapter 5 - How to do research
Characteristics of research
Intelligence-gathering - the 'what' questions
Research - the 'why' questions
Characteristics of good research
Research is based on an open system of thought
Researchers examine data critically
Researchers generalize and specify the limits on their generalizations
Hypothetico-deductive method
Basic types of research
Exploratory research
Testing-out research
Problem-solving research
Which type of research for the PhD?
The craft of doing research
Action summary
Chapter 6 - The form of a PhD thesis
Understanding the PhD form
Background theory
Focal theory
Data theory
Contribution
Detailed structure and choice of chapter headings
The concept of originality
Writing the thesis
writing as a process of re-writing
different types of writers
getting down to it
the thesis itself
Alternative thesis styles
To publish or not to publish prior to submission?
Action summary
Chapter 7 - The PhD process
Psychological aspects
enthusiasm
isolation
increasing interest in work
transfer of dependence from the supervisor to the work
boredom
frustration
a job to be finished
euphoria
Others 'getting in first'
Practical aspects
time management
the duration of the process
the stages of the process
Redefining long-term and short-term goals
The importance of deadlines
Self-help and peer support groups
Internet groups
Teaching whilst studying for a PhD
casual teaching
teaching assistantships
Action summary
Chapter 8 - How to manage your supervisors
The supervisory team
The supervisory team's limitations
What supervisors expect of their doctoral students
Supervisors expect their students to be independent
Supervisors expect their students to produce written work that is not just a first draft
Supervisors expect to have regular meetings with their research students
Supervisors expect their research students to be honest when reporting on their progress
Supervisors expect their students to follow the advice that they give, when it has been given at the request of the postgraduate
Supervisors expect their students to be excited about their work, able to surprise them and fun to be with!
The need to educate your supervisors
How to reduce the communication barrier
Improving tutorials
Changing supervisors
Inappropriate personal relationships in supervision
Action summary
Chapt
Chapter 1 - On becoming a research student
The nature of doctoral education
The psychology of being a research student
The aims of this book
Action summary
Chapter 2 - Getting into the system
Choosing the institution and field of study
The scientific research programme
Eligibility
Grants and research support
Distance supervision?
Choosing your work context
Selecting your supervisor
Starting out as a research student
Myths and realities of the system
The 'ivory tower'
Personal relationships
Teamworking
Action summary
Chapter 3 - The nature of the PhD qualification
The meaning of a doctorate
Becoming a fully professional researcher
Differences between the MPhil and the PhD
Aims of students
Aims of supervisors
Aims of examiners
Aims of universities and research councils
Mismatches and problems
Action summary
Chapter 4 - How not to get a PhD
Not wanting a PhD
Not understanding the nature of a PhD by overestimating what is required
Not understanding the nature of a PhD by underestimating what is required
Not having a supervisor who knows what a PhD requires
Losing contact with your supervisor
Not having a thesis
Taking a new job before finishing
Action summary
Chapter 5 - How to do research
Characteristics of research
Intelligence-gathering - the 'what' questions
Research - the 'why' questions
Characteristics of good research
Research is based on an open system of thought
Researchers examine data critically
Researchers generalize and specify the limits on their generalizations
Hypothetico-deductive method
Basic types of research
Exploratory research
Testing-out research
Problem-solving research
Which type of research for the PhD?
The craft of doing research
Action summary
Chapter 6 - The form of a PhD thesis
Understanding the PhD form
Background theory
Focal theory
Data theory
Contribution
Detailed structure and choice of chapter headings
The concept of originality
Writing the thesis
writing as a process of re-writing
different types of writers
getting down to it
the thesis itself
Alternative thesis styles
To publish or not to publish prior to submission?
Action summary
Chapter 7 - The PhD process
Psychological aspects
enthusiasm
isolation
increasing interest in work
transfer of dependence from the supervisor to the work
boredom
frustration
a job to be finished
euphoria
Others 'getting in first'
Practical aspects
time management
the duration of the process
the stages of the process
Redefining long-term and short-term goals
The importance of deadlines
Self-help and peer support groups
Internet groups
Teaching whilst studying for a PhD
casual teaching
teaching assistantships
Action summary
Chapter 8 - How to manage your supervisors
The supervisory team
The supervisory team's limitations
What supervisors expect of their doctoral students
Supervisors expect their students to be independent
Supervisors expect their students to produce written work that is not just a first draft
Supervisors expect to have regular meetings with their research students
Supervisors expect their research students to be honest when reporting on their progress
Supervisors expect their students to follow the advice that they give, when it has been given at the request of the postgraduate
Supervisors expect their students to be excited about their work, able to surprise them and fun to be with!
The need to educate your supervisors
How to reduce the communication barrier
Improving tutorials
Changing supervisors
Inappropriate personal relationships in supervision
Action summary
Chapt