Synopses & Reviews
"This book explores what a PhD is and the challenges and rewards of completing this journey. There is no one way to complete a doctorate but there are a number of wrong ways, like having your ego flattered into it or because you can't think of what else you would like to do.
This book is about what is like to submit yourself to the process of doing a doctorate. It is about how is feels to be a research student; the elation, the guilt, the isolation, the self-doubt, the loneliness. It also describes the practical issues - such as choosing a topic, finding funding, writing a research proposal, different methods of research, the literature review, academic writing, the question of ‘truth' in research, the relationship between student and supervisor, maintaining a clear focus, and the viva examination."
Lucy Russell
Accessible and well-written, this guide will be invaluable reading for anyone thinking about, embarking on or completing a PhD.
Synopsis
"This book explores what a PhD is and the challenges and rewards of completing this journey. There is no one way to complete a doctorate but there are a number of wrong ways, like having your ego flattered into it or because you can't think of what else you would like to do.
This book is about what is like to submit yourself to the process of doing a doctorate. It is about how is feels to be a research student; the elation, the guilt, the isolation, the self-doubt, the loneliness. It also describes the practical issues - such as choosing a topic, finding funding, writing a research proposal, different methods of research, the literature review, academic writing, the question of ‘truth' in research, the relationship between student and supervisor, maintaining a clear focus, and the viva examination."
Lucy Russell
Accessible and well-written, this guide will be invaluable reading for anyone thinking about, embarking on or completing a PhD.
Synopsis
"This book explores what a PhD is and the challenges and rewards of completing this journey. There is no one way to complete a doctorate but there are a number of wrong ways, like having your ego flattered into it or because you can't think of what else you would like to do.
This book is about what is like to submit yourself to the process of doing a doctorate. It is about how is feels to be a research student; the elation, the guilt, the isolation, the self-doubt, the loneliness. It also describes the practical issues - such as choosing a topic, finding funding, writing a research proposal, different methods of research, the literature review, academic writing, the question of ‘truth' in research, the relationship between student and supervisor, maintaining a clear focus, and the viva examination."
Lucy Russell
Accessible and well-written, this guide will be invaluable reading for anyone thinking about, embarking on or completing a PhD.
Table of Contents
Introduction Chapter 1: Can you write a prescription?
What is a PhD?
Why do a PhD?
Chapter 2: A penny for your thoughts Writing a research proposal Finding funding
Chapter 3: Pen to PaperWriting your thesisWriting for different audiences Chapter 4: What is a ‘paradigm'?
The language of The Academy
Chapter 5: Questions, questions ... Does truth exist?
Can there ever be a completely objective piece of research?
Situating yourself in the research
Chapter 6: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Writing the methodology - it underpins the thesis, but do you write it as a ‘map' to follow, or do you sketch where you've been when the journey is complete?
Chapter 7: Quiche and Boiled CabbageLetter writing, interviewing and transcribingChapter 8: Have you got 20:20 vision?
Maintaining a clear focus and avoiding blind alleys
The role of the supervisor
Chapter 9: Don't leave hostages to fortune
The Viva Voce