Jonathan Weyers, Kathleen McMillan

How to Research & Write a Successful PhD

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

A practical, step-by-step guide to postgraduate study, covering the whole research process from planning to writing up and beyond.

Undertaking a large-scale original research project involves choosing an appropriate topic, planning and carrying out the research, and analysing and writing up the data and conclusions. At PhD level, these steps can be challenging for any student. Using the tried-and-tested approach, style and pedagogy of the Smarter Student series, this text delivers timely, practical, hands-on guidance based on real-life experience from students and supervisors alike.

The book guides the student through all of the key aspects of being a researcher and delivering a successful PhD thesis. It is an invaluable tutorial and reference for those entering academic life at doctoral level, providing practical guidance, examples and tips for success.

Produktdetails

• Smarter Study Skills
• Verlag: Pearson
• Seitenzahl: 424
• Erscheinungstermin: 1. August 2013
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 216mm x 149mm x 18mm
• Gewicht: 524g
• ISBN-13: 9780273773917
• ISBN-10: 0273773917
• Artikelnr.: 42296157

Autorenporträt

Jonathan Weyers and Kathleen McMillan both work at the University of Dundee. Both have been teaching and lecturing for over 25 years and latterly have specialised in the transferable skills area. They have a track record of collaborative writing and achievement in this area.

Inhaltsangabe

Introduction
1. Taking on postgraduate studies - preliminary considerations
2. Principles of postgraduateness – how to approach study at this new level
 
Getting started  
3. Identifying and framing research questions – how to set targets and
formulate hypotheses
4.    Writing a proposal or research plan – how to outline your approach to
postgraduate study
 
Key research skills
5. Developing as a researcher – appraising your skills and gaining
proficiency
6. Planning and time management – how to complete your research and write
up on time
7. Information literacy for PhD study – how to find relevant source
material
8. Accessing content from the literature - how to read and evaluate
research publications
9. Organising research materials – how to collect and file information and
details of references
 
Interactions with others during a research programme
10.  Student-supervisor relationships – how to make the most of this
important collaboration
11.  Dealing with the highs and lows of being a postgraduate – how to
respond positively to events and feelings
12.  Working in a research team – how to balance research cooperation and
autonomy
13.  Teaching as a postgraduate – how to make the most of opportunities to
tutor, demonstrate and lecture
14.  Giving a research seminar or paper – how to deliver an effective
spoken presentation
15.  Preparing and presenting a poster – how to summarise and communicate
your findings
16.  Being appraised – how to respond to progress monitoring and other
feedback on your work
 
Research Methods
17.  Critical thinking – how to apply method to arrive at valid, original
ideas
18.  Arriving at a position and supporting it – how to sift fact and
opinion and express your conclusions
19.  Research ethics and safety – how to conduct an appropriate, principled
and safe investigation
20.  Referencing, citing and avoiding plagiarism – how to refer
appropriately to the results and ideas of others
21.  Interpreting and presenting data – how to understand and produce
graphs, tables and basic statistics
22.  Aspects of qualitative research – how to obtain and analyse
non-numerical information
23.  Aspects of quantitative research – how to obtain and analyse numerical
data
24.  Experiments and field studies – how to design and conduct lab and
field investigations
 
Writing up your research
25.  Links between research, writing and speaking – how to gain from the
interactions between investigation, communication and thought
26.  The nature of scholarly writing - how to produce formal writing at PhD
level
27.  Scholarly writing style – how to construct effective academic text
28.  Elements of a thesis – how to write up the different sections
29.  Becoming an autonomous writer – how to take control of the writing
process
30.  Thesis presentation – how to submit your work in the appropriate
manner
 
Examination and beyond
31.  The PhD viva – how to prepare for and perform in your oral exam
32.  Publishing your research – how to write and submit a successful paper
33.  After your doctorate – how to make appropriate use of your
qualification