How to Research & Write a Successful PhD (Smarter Study Skills)

423 Pages·2013·2.971 MB·English

by  Kathleen McMillan, Jonathan Weyers

HOW TO
researcH
& WriTe a
successful
P D
h

HOW TO
researcH
& WriTe a
successful
P D
h
KaTHleeN McMillaN &
JONaTHaN WeYers
Pearson Education Limited
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First published 2013 (print and electronic)
© Pearson Education Limited 2013 (print and electronic)
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ISBN: 978-0-273-77391-7 (print)
978-0-273-77406-8 (eText)
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for the print edition is available from the British Library
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A catalog record for the print edition is available from the Library of Congress
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Print edition typeset in 9.5/13pt Helvetica Neue Pro Roman by 3
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sMarTer sTuDY sKills
instant answers to your most pressing
university skills problems and queries
Are there any secrets to successful study?
The simple answer is ‘yes’ – there are some essential skills, tips
and techniques that can help you to improve your performance and
success in all areas of your university studies.
These handy, easy-to-use guides to the most common areas where
most students need help, provide accessible, straightforward
practical tips and instant solutions that provide you with the tools and
techniques that will enable you to improve your performance and get
better results – and better grades!
Each book in the series allows you to assess and address a particular
set of skills and strategies, in crucial areas of your studies. Each
book then delivers practical, no-nonsense tips, techniques and
strategies that will enable you to significantly improve your abilities and
performance in time to make a difference.
The books in the series are:
● How to Write Essays & Assignments
● How to Write Dissertations & Project Reports
● How to Argue
● How to Improve your Maths Skills
● How to Use Statistics
● How to Succeed in Exams & Assessments
● How to Cite, Reference & Avoid Plagiarism at University
● How to Improve Your Critical Thinking & Reflective Skills
● How to Improve Your Memory for Study
For a complete handbook covering all of these study skills and more:
● The Study Skills Book
Get smart, get a head start!
SMARTER STUDY SKILLS v

cONTeNTs
About the authors x
Preface xi
Acknowledgements xiii
How to Use this Book xv
iNTrODucTiON
1 Taking on postgraduate studies – preliminary considerations 3
2 Principles of postgraduateness – how to approach study at
this new level 16
GeTTiNG sTarTeD
3 Identifying and framing research questions – how to set
targets and formulate hypotheses 29
4 Writing a proposal or research plan – how to outline your
approach to postgraduate study 40
KeY PhD researcH sKills
5 Developing as a researcher – appraising your skills and
gaining proficiency 51
6 Planning and time management – how to complete your
research and write-up on time 61
7 Information literacy for PhD study – how to find relevant
source material 72
8 Accessing content from the literature – how to read and
evaluate research publications 82
9 Organising research materials – how to collect and file
information and details of references 93
iNTeracTiONs WiTH OTHers DuriNG a researcH
PrOGraMMe
10 Successful postgraduate–supervisor relationships – how to
make the most of this important collaboration 105
11 Dealing with the highs and lows of being a postgraduate –
how to respond positively to events and feelings 118
Contents vii
12 Working in a research team – how to balance research
cooperation and autonomy 127
13 Teaching as a postgraduate – how to make the most of
opportunities to tutor, demonstrate and lecture 137
14 Giving a research seminar or paper – how to deliver an
effective spoken presentation 153
15 Preparing and presenting a poster – how to summarise
and communicate your findings 166
16 Being appraised – how to respond to progress monitoring
and other feedback on your work 174
researcH MeTHODs
17 Critical thinking – how to apply method to arrive at valid,
original ideas 183
18 Arriving at a position and supporting it – how to sift fact
and opinion and express your conclusions 198
19 Research ethics and safety – how to conduct an
appropriate, principled and safe investigation 208
20 Citing, referencing and avoiding plagiarism – how to refer
appropriately to the results and ideas of others 216
21 Interpreting and presenting data – how to understand and
produce graphs, tables and basic statistics 238
22 Aspects of qualitative research – how to obtain and
analyse non-numerical information 251
23 Aspects of quantitative research – how to obtain and
analyse numerical data 266
24 Experiments and field studies – how to design and
conduct laboratory and field investigations 281
WriTiNG uP YOur researcH
25 Links between research, writing and speaking – how to
gain from the interactions between investigation,
communication and thought 297
26 The nature of scholarly writing – how to produce formal
writing at PhD level 307
27 Scholarly writing style – how to construct effective
academic text 316
viii Contents
28 Elements of a thesis – how to structure and write up the
different sections 333
29 Becoming an autonomous writer – how to take control of
the writing process 348
30 Thesis presentation – how to submit your work in the
appropriate manner 362
eXaMiNaTiON aND BeYOND
31 The PhD viva – how to prepare for and perform in your oral
exam 377
32 Publishing your research – how to write and submit a
successful paper 387
33 After your doctorate – how to make appropriate use of
your qualification 394
List of references 405
Contents ix