How to Research & Write a Successful PhD

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