Research Tips and Study Guidelines for Those Pursuing PHD
Are you teaching at a college or university? In case you are, then you will have to work on PhD in order to rise up in the organizational hierarchy. But to make sure that your dissertation gets approved by your supervisor. Here are some tips which you can follow to perform research for gaining your PhD- What should you include in your PhD? Though research proposals tend to differ in the style of their writing, the basic parts of a PhD research proposal are mentioned below: -This will contain the name of the area of your research, candidate, supervisor and department where you will submit it. -This has to be clear, accurate and will summarize the details that are covered in proposed research. Introduction- Here you will need to provide some background details which support the presence of the issue you have stated and scope for research. -The section offers reasons for which it is essential to do research. It also covers a few questions that are addressed in the research you propose. Literature Review– This review in a summary highlights the nature of studies that have been previously done in the area of proposed research. It helps in finding out gaps and arguments in the existing area of research which stand for the need for the research you have proposed. Aims and Objective– They will highlight the result of outcome research. Methodology– This section provides details on how you will be performing the proposed research. Ethical Considerations– In case the research includes a questionnaire or interviews with people, then an ethical approval is necessary before you start the research. This is true if you intend to do your Ph.D. from an international university. It helps in saving personal freedom and security of participants. In research proposal you will also have to state that ethical approval will be taken before you start off with your field research. Budget-There are some research proposals which need budget details. It will include details about the total expected costs directly as well as indirect, the cost of the equipment and field study involved, accommodation and participation in conferences. In case any company sponsors the project then you will have to include this detail here. Timeline-Normally a Ph.D degree need at least three years or more. But the section also covers a detailed time table related to the project like the time period you spend on the literary review, secondary and primary data, data analysis, writing as well as presentation. Conclusion-This section will restate the importance of the proposed research both in theoretical and practical...
Read MoreWhy we have to do Ph.D.
Ph.D. is a unique type of degree that is often attempted by very few students. The degree stands for ‘Doctor of Philosophy.’ Ph.D. is challenging and is also demanding. It requires three years of dedication and hard work after you have completed your undergraduate degree or Masters degree. It’s your chance to make some genuine contribution to the human knowledge and also produce work that other researchers can build in future. After completing your Ph.D., it is something you can get proud of incredibly. Whatever you end up doing after completing your doctorate you’ll have an essential qualification. There are some good reasons that why an average person would choose to do a doctorate. 1-To achieve something different Once who are ambitious to make money should become entrepreneurs, but those who are ambitious to challenge themselves, push towards new heights and reach a challenging goal, then the doctorate is for you. 2-To learn or discover something new If you think that something is pushing you to explore and acquire new things, you love research; then the doctorate is perfect for you. 3-To improve your life If you want to understand new things, develop your abilities to solve problems, boost up your confidence level, make yourself a better communicator, and gain some extra skills that will lead to a better job, then you must go for a doctorate. 4-You know that why you want to do a PhD Some students do it because of a peer pressure that they do after their college. But this is wrong; you should do Ph.D. only if you know what you want to accomplish at the end of doing it as it is a path and not the end. Take an example, if you want to be a professor or a lab head, then go for it. But do not sacrifice your years just because it is pressure. 5-It fits you the best Some people are born for a doctorate. You might have done many research projects just as a hobby, might have a thirst for taking knowledge or reading different books. If this is you, then doctorate suits you and is perfectly fit for you. While the above said points might sound obvious, it is crucial, to be honest with yourself. You are thinking of doing something that can change your life. Wish you the luck. Got any queries? Do write us back in the comment section...
Read MoreThe Art of Intellectual War: Defending your PhD
A rose by any other name would smell sweet too, and a PhD defense thesis would be just as challenging. Whether it is called defense of research, dissertation defense or thesis defense, the essential questions asked by the committee focus on the following: Has original, high-quality research been conducted? Can independent research programs be carried out by the student? Are results well communicated? #1: A Good Thesis Proposal is Half the Battle Won Excellent PhD defense begins with the thesis proposal that increases chances of success. The proposal should be original, creative and exciting. #2: Geek Speak: How to Talk in Academic Lingo The successful defense of your PhD dissertation involves these ingredients if you are looking for your recipe for structuring the conversation. Again, these are crucial considerations which center around the following: What is the problem being solved? Why is the problem worth researching? What solutions does my research provide? Which peer reviewed journal articles support my thesis? What theorems have to be provided and what is the research framework? What is the methodology and evaluations which have been carried out? Who else has conducted research in this field and how is it better/worse than mine? What next line of research can be taken? #3: Practice Makes Perfect The flow of the talk will improve if you practice the questions. Think up of answers to important issues and prepare backup slides for them as well. Practice your PhD defense with laboratory colleagues or even in front of a mirror. #4: Preparation is Everything Making model slides from the scratch or structuring the presentation is not easy if you are not well prepared. Be comfortable with the topic and familiar with the structure of your research defense. #5: Check out the Competition Another important point while preparing for the thesis defense talk is to listen to how others are presenting their perspectives. Both good and bad research defense presentations can be the perfect learning experience! Conclusion Experience is necessary, but when it comes to PhD research defense, passion is equally critical. Love your topic and it will show when you have to fight for your...
Read MoreEliminating The Pain From The Thesis Writing Process
Submitting a thesis can be quite difficult for those students who do not have the habit of writing down their thoughts neatly on paper or their computers. However, you will not be able to go through college or university without writing your thesis. Therefore, it is important that you hone your writing skills in order to eliminate some of the pain from the thesis writing process. Select an original topic It is imperative that you select an original yet viable topic that covers your specific field of study. Once your thesis has been approved, it means that you are at the end of your academic journey. Unless you decide that you would like to pursue higher studies, you would not need to worry about having to write another research work. This is one of the reasons why you should master the art of writing in general and thesis writing in particular. Yet another reason would be being able to write research works for the company you intend to work for in the future. The challenges you might face One of the biggest challenges you might face while beginning to write a thesis would be being able to convert your thoughts into words. Since not everyone is made to be geniuses in the literary field and also because not everyone can come up with a decent thesis within a few days, you should make notations during the first few days of your writing your research work. You can prepare a first draft and then, prepare the second and third drafts if you would like to be sure that you have done quality work. Gather enough materials before actually beginning to write the research work. After this, write down the points and subtopics you would like to cover in your thesis so that there is no confusion later...
Read MoreWhich Is More Beneficial- a Regular or a Distance Learning PhD Program?
Pursuing a privileged program like doctorate is a dream of every aspiring individual. Earlier, most people preferred to select a regular program. Some people were fortunate enough to get enrolled into a regular PhD program without any pain, while others lag behind either due to their personal or professional issues. However, these lagers are no more forced to regret on their fortune. It’s doable now a day by regular as well as distance learning mode. The distance learning PhD program provides a platform for such people who are unable to get admission into a full time program. Then what is the nitty-gritty behind their difference or preference? Here, it becomes crucial to understand the pros and cons of both. A regular program is obviously beneficial as one gets an opportunity of attending regular classes, be in touch with faculty members and guide, do group discussion with various other members of the same subject matter and going through many books and journals present in the library. Also, researchers can interact with their guides if they got stuck somewhere while preparing their research papers. But, such programs are costly and are less affordable by the researchers. Similarly, distance learning program is profitable for those who cannot attend regular classes because of some of their special engagements. One can get enrolled into the program while they are busy with their jobs, business and other involvements. Also, these are less costly programs and are easily affordable by the researchers. But, on the other hand, these programs do not give privileged of interaction with the guide all the time. Also, researchers are limited to the study materials and journals mailed to them. Apart from this they have to gather information’s on their own. Hence, both the programs have some and the other positives and negative issues with it and it depends upon our aptness which one we...
Read MoreDealing with the challenge of a viva voce
One of the most difficult moments that students face when they are doing a major project of any kind is the viva voce or the project defence. This is where they have to present themselves in front of their supervisor or a review committee and answer tough questions regarding the work they had done. The viva voce has been known to give sleepless nights to many students. There are many researchers who are superb at discovering new facts and putting it down on paper. But when they have to talk about their work and explain key points to the academic board, they start to get very nervous and often forget what they meant to say. Students should give themselves plenty of time to practice for the project defence. They should ideally finish their written work as quickly as possible and then start work for the day when they will get grilled by their superiors. Many students prepare notes for the viva voce and then rehearse whatever they plan to say. They talk to their peers and ask them what questions they can expect to be asked by the review committee. They also assemble a group of friends and family and practice giving presentations so that they can overcome their nervousness of speaking in public. The students who perform best are those who look upon the project defence as a challenge. They get excited by the prospect of doing something new and cherish the opportunity to make a name for themselves in front of people who truly matter. They also read their thesis very thoroughly so that they know exactly what they have written and are not in a position to get surprised by anything that the reviewers ask. On the big day, they take it easy, rest well and walk into the room with a smile on their...
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