Planning, Structuring and Managing your
PhD
Dr. Mark Matthews
Thesis
• Your first piece of significant
academic work
• Contribution to new knowledge
• AND a learning process for you
Common problems
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Poor planning
Methodological difficulties
Writing
Isolation
Personal Problems
Supervision
Brown & Atkins, 1990
Challenge 1 – getting started
Find out what you are expected to do by:
• Attending departmental orientation and
technical programs
• Course handbooks
• GSO guidelines
• Books and websites
• Read excellent theses
Challenge 2
managing yourself
• Questions:
– When am I going to work?
– Where will I work?
– How will I know if I’m on the right track?
•
•
•
•
Avoid anxiety
Get a management system
External deadlines & Rewards
Hopelessly inaccurate estimates are much
more efficient than no estimates at all
Technological Needs
• What skills do you need?
• Temptation
• Backups
Information Support Services:
• “Planning thesis production using MS Word”
• “Using Endnote”
• “SPSS”
Challenge 3
managing your writing
• Self-Management
• Structure
• Academic Writing
• Research Journal
Thesis types
Find out the structure
for your discipline
Start writing
Formalities (one file)
– Cover Page
– Key words
– Abstract
– List of Tables and
Figures
– Ethics statement
– Statement of
original authorship
– Acknowledgements
– Table of contents
Chapters (one file each)
– Chapter 1. Introduction
and overview
– Chapter 2. Literature
review
– Chapter 3. Research
question
– Chapter 4. Methodology
– Chapter 5. Results
– Chapter 6. Discussion
– Chapter 7. Summary
and conclusions
– References/bibliography
Chapter 1
• What the thesis is about (write now)
• What the chapters say (write after
they are written)
• Summary and conclusion
• Why the research is important (write
anytime you work this out)
Structure each chapter
• What is the theme?
• How does it relate to one before and after?
• Have you explained these relationships start
and end?
• Where and how can these links be made
clearer?
Challenge 4.
what is my thesis about?
• Research Statement (25-30 words)
• Get feedback on it
• Discuss with supervisor
• Reach agreement as early as
possible
SPQR
• How would you describe the current
situation?
• What is the key problem your PhD
addresses?
• What questions arise from problem?
• What did you do to answer the question?
(response)
Challenge 5.
Your Supervisor
•
•
•
•
•
What you want to do
What your supervisor wants you to do
How to contact your supervisor?
Know supervisor’s strengths/weaknesses
Isolation
Challenge 5.
Your Supervisor
Find out:
• Research Interests
• Recent publications
• Experience supervising
• How much time they will have
• Will you be able to get on?
• What kind of role does your supervisor expect?
Rowena Murray, ‘How to write a thesis’
Challenge 6 – managing content
• Set task targets with your supervisor
• Make maximum use of resources
• Get your material reviewed by peers
(seminars, conferences, publish)
• Make contact with people doing similar
research (network)
What can you do now?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Make a plan
Establish a routine / rhythm
Start writing now
Read one book on writing
Read one thesis
Set long-term / short-term goals
Further help
How to Get a PhD: A Handbook for Students
and Their Supervisors
by Estelle Phillips & D.S. Pugh
How to Write a Thesis (Paperback)
by Rowena Murray
Our Workshops
Thesis Writing
Thu 4 Mar 16:00 – 18:00
• 5039 Arts Building
Developing Critical Arguments
Mon 8 Mar 13:00 – 15:00
• Luce Hall Seminar Room
Viva Preparation
Thu 18 Mar 16:00
• Luce Hall Seminar Room
Postgraduate
Summer School
• Come to Summer
School
• Visit the website
https://podcast.tcd.ie/users/summerschool/
Student Learning Development
Visit our website at:
http://student-learning.tcd.ie
Email qs to
student.learning@tcd.ie
Phone us on 01 8961407