“How to succeed in doing a PhD: personal experiences” A PhD is a journey of discovery & fun Professor Ghassan Aouad Pro Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation g.aouad@salford.ac.uk Sense of Achievement 06/83 BSc 09/87 06/91 02/92 MSc PhD RF Time This is my life (TMP 14) 02/99 Chair RID 05/03 08/06 07/08 HoS Dean PVC http://www.cof.orst.edu/cof/fe/watershd/mtgpresent/FE%20How%20to%20succeed%20as%20a%20PhD%2 0student%20(final%20version)_files/frame.htm How to succeed as a PhD student Prof. Jeff McDonnell, Richardson Chair College of Forestry, OSU (Oregon State University) Perfectionists •Ones with difficult personalities •Ones who cannot take or handle criticism •Non-creative •Ones without the fire in the belly •Ones lacking a sense of humor Prof. Jeff McDonnell, Richardson Chair College of Forestry, OSU Why are you doing a PhD? Is it for the title? Do you like research/ academia? Better future prospect To support your teaching To get some promotion Out of curiosity Funded project To please your family Forced to do it What is your Strategy? (Need to have an overall picture) Good PhDs Reflections (Amanda and Ghassan) Robust Methodology Clear aim, objectives, hypothesis, research Questions Good data collection and analysis methods Comprehensive literature review, Critical Analysis Well presented, Interesting findings Strong Validation, Good reflections Good use of appendices Confidence, Other researchers will use as a reference Work already published Good PhDs •Original findings •Appropriate structure of chapters (flow) •Writing style (exciting) •Evidence based •Well scoped (focus) •Intellectuality and creativity are evident •Strong theoretical underpinnings •Researching a phenomena •Refereed journal papers as references •Contribution to knowledge clearly described Weak PhDs • Weak methodology • Ambiguity in defining the aim, objectives, research questions • Weak data collection and analysis methods • Superficial literature review • Superficial analysis • Badly presented (spelling) • Findings are not clearly reported • No validation • No reflections • Bad use of appendices • Bad Performance at viva Weak PhDs •Arrogance and ignorance •Other researchers will not use as a reference •No publications before viva •Predicted findings •No structure (flow) •No excitement in the writing style •Opinion based (unsupported statements) •No scope, all over the place •No intellectuality or creativity •Weak theoretical underpinnings •Reporting on a piece of software •Conference papers and reports •Contribution to knowledge is not sufficiently addressed Start Research Process and Milestones Identification of the PROBLEM LITERATURE REVIEW (Information from Existing knowledge) “THE GAP” and “THE RATIONALE OF RESEARCH” What is your contribution to knowledge? Definition of the AIM Establish Objectives and Hypothesis Develop Research Plan Development of model/ frame work / and Evaluation Write up Conclusion Identification of the research population Identification of data to be collected Quantitative Identification of means of data collection Questionnaires, interviews, survey Identification of means of data analyses Content analysis Thematic analysis NViVo or SPSS Contribution to existing knowledge Contribution to existing knowledge Qualitative Never give up Get published Keep Reading Get organised Focus Mentoring Relationship with supervisor Networking Good Methodology Directions Dealing with problems Rigour Ownership Encouragement Think out of the box Key Findings Defending Your PhD Passion (Determination, Self discipline Motivation) Preparation (problem identification, develop a strategy) PhD Mock Viva Publications Polish and proof read your thesis The 9 (or 12) Ps of PhD Success Productive relationship with supervisor Plenty of Evidence and originality (data collection, analysis and validation) Planning (time, process map, research map) Philosophical Stance (Research Methodology) Published Literature (especially Refereed Journals theoretical underpinnings) My PhD in a paragraph My PhD covers an interesting topic, it has a clear rationale for doing the research and a well defined focus. It is supported by strong theoretical underpinnings through a critical and comprehensive literature review and a robust research methodology. The research aim, objectives, questions/hypotheses are well articulated and the research sample is representative. The data collection, analysis and validation phases are comprehensive and appropriate. My PhD is original and it makes a serious contribution to knowledge and it has already been published in top rated refereed journals and conferences. It is written in an exciting, flowing and convincing style and the conclusions clearly meet the research objectives. I am proud of my PhD, not just because of the product (thesis and title), but also because of the process (I am now a trained researcher). My PhD opens many doors for me, it gave me confidence and strengthened my analytical skills, it has also helped me to find a good job. Good Methodology: Basic Definitions Paradigm: “An integrated cluster of substantive concepts, variables and problems attached with corresponding methodological approaches and tools…” Epistemology: one of the major branches of philosophy, most often contrasted with ontology. Epistemology is the study of how we know what we know. The branch of philosophy that deals with the varieties, grounds, and validity of knowledge. (Thomas Kuhn, Wikipedia, Oxford English Dictionary) Good Methodology: Basic Definitions Ontology: derives from the Greek ‘ontos’ (‘being’ or ‘what exists’) and ‘logos’ (‘rational account’ or ‘knowledge’). From the philosophical perspective, ‘ontology’ is synonymous with ‘metaphysics’ as classically conceived. It is an account of being in the abstract’. The science or study of being; that part of metaphysics which relates to the nature or essence of being or existence Methodology: the science of methods. The branch of knowledge that deals with method and its application in a particular field. Also, the study of empirical research or the techniques employed in it. A body of methods used in a particular branch of study or activity (Thomas Kuhn, Wikipedia, Oxford English Dictionary) Good Methodology We all bring (often implicit?!) assumptions and path dependencies to our research! What knowledge is – ontology How we know it – epistemology What values go into it – axiology How we write about it – rhetoric The process of studying it – methodology (Sexton 2002) Dimensions of research philosophy: Bringing it all together! (Sexton, 2002) Realism Idealism A commonly An Idealism unknowable Realism Interpretivism Epistemology experienced external reality perceived in An unknowable A commonly reality with predetermined different ways by in reality perceived Positivism experienced external nature and structure individuals different ways by A search for general reality with predetermined individuals laws and cause-effect nature and structure Ontology relationships by rational means A search for explanations of human action by understanding the way in which the world is understood by individuals Value neutral Research is value free and objective Value-biased Research is valueladen and subjective Locating some common methods Positivism Interpretivism A search for explanations of human action by understanding the way in which the world is understood by individuals Ontology Epistemology A search for general laws and cause-effect relationships by rational means Objectivist approaches Experiment Case study Action research Ethnography Subjectivist approaches http://www.documentingexcellence.com/stat_tool/reliabilityvalidity.htm Personal Experiences from some PhD holders Some Stability The 2nd 6 months A lot of confusion The first 6 months The 2nd year Good Productivity Looking Back The final year + few extra months Impatience Anxiety Confidence My Own Experience “DO” Define a POA (plan of action) from day one! Find a topic that you are really interested in Work with your fellow PhD students Work closely with your supervisor to get full support Undertake a thorough and critical review of the literature Present papers at conferences and publish in high quality refereed journals so as to improve your writing skills and obtain early critical comments from external reviewers and peers Take over – PhD ownership is important Write and keep on writing, it cements your thoughts Reward yourself when significant milestones are achieved Be confident (not arrogant) “DO NOT” • • • • • • • • • • • • Prolong your PhD Take long breaks ( it is difficult to start again) Depend 100% on your supervisor Be forced down a specific theme / methodology route just to fit in with the supervisor's interests Think the supervisor knows everything Have poor time management Lose focus or direction Let any third party or your supervisor control your PhD Plagiarise Underestimate the writing up period Ignore the importance of meeting your supervisor on a regular basis Take criticism negatively, but as a challenge! Dr Bingunath Ingirige’s PhD Experience “A PhD is 80% thinking and 20% doing” (May 2000) YOU ARE SHOWING AN IMPROVEMENT FROM LAST TIME. BUT THERE IS A LOT MORE TO DO!!!! • • • • being self motivated, positive attitude setting your own deadlines What challenges? being ruthless with yourself continuous discussions with peers and maintain their interest in your work • get the supervisor interested in your work • access to companies Sometimes I felt …. Doing really well I am going nowhere and my level of interest, enthusiasm, and motivation PhD requires a significant shift in your thinking!!! •Get the PhD thinking going!!! Linking and Narrowing Down – The funnel • Why ? focus • Why not ? • How ? • What ? • So What ? Achievement of major milestones / major areas Research Problem & research questions Research hypothesis / hypotheses Individual / company access to collect data Analysis Substantial completion of field research Level of resolution Overall Methodology Contribution to knowledge Substantial Write up Overheard……. “Sometimes I feel, why I started it in the first place” Can’t do it any more. Please give me the doctorate!!! But, look at the bright side…. Generally speaking success rate is very high A good problem identification underpinned by a sound methodology will take you through Concluding Read books suchremarks as “how to get a PhD”, quite earlier on in your process – gain insights No ‘silver bullet’ – but commitment and endurance Several alternative paths available Dr Richard Haigh’ s PhD experience Snow White and the Seven Ph.D. Students At first you’re Bashful and Dopey. Two years later you’re sick (Sneezy), tired (Sleepy), and irritable (Grumpy). Finally, everyone calls you Doc, and then you’re Happy. Motivation “I’m going to make a real contribution to science” give me the Doctorate” “Why did I ever start this?” Time Your supervisor Your supervisor may be your “best” friend - your success is their success ! Unlike marriage, they expect (and want) you to leave, to see you stand on your own feet - more like children? The dream supervisor… – – – – – – – A good knowledge of the topic in year one Interested in your subject Excellent knowledge of research methodology Provides feedback timely, fast and consistently Promotes their academic and publishing contacts Agrees to meet frequently Second supervisor offers an alternative perspective but is not fundamentally opposed to the first Friends Publish Reflection Sharing Application Curiosity Reading Recognition Vision Trust Confidence Enlightenment Knowledge Network (Prof Vian Ahmed’s PhD Experience) Be part of a community if you can PhD PhD Outcomes Methodology Underpinning Theory Heart Mind “Research with Passion is the True Ingredient to Success” •Passion for reading around the subject •Passion for learning •Passion for applying concepts •Passion for analysing •Passion for publishing •Passion for writing •Passion for being critical !!!!!Enjoy it!!!!! Spot the PhD Believing in ourselves Pity the nation that is full of beliefs and empty of religion. Pity the nation that wears a cloth it does not weave, eats a bread it does not harvest, and drinks a wine that flows not from its own wine-press. Pity the nation that acclaims the bully as hero, and that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful. Pity the nation that despises a passion in its dream, yet submits in its awakening. Pity the nation that rises not its voice save when it walks in a funeral boasts not except among its ruins, and will rebel not save when its neck is laid between the sword and the block. Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox, whose philosopher is a juggler, and whose art is the art of patching and mimicking. Pity the nation that welcomes its new ruler with trumpeting, and farewells him with hooting, only to welcome another with trumpeting again. Pity the nation whose sages are dumb with years and whose strong men are yet in the cradle. Pity the nation divided into fragments, each fragment deeming itself a nation. Pity the Nation, Kahlil Gibran - The Garden of the Prophet (1934) Working with Joy And what is it to work with love? It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart, even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth. It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house. It is to sow seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy, even as if your beloved were to eat the fruit. It is to charge all things you fashion with a breath of your own spirit. And to know that all the blessed dead are standing about you and watching. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy. For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half man's hunger. And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes, your grudge distils a poison in the wine. And if you sing though as angels, and love not the singing, you muffle man's ears to the voices of the day and the voices of the night. Kahlil Gibran - The Prophet Thank you for listening Any questions? g.aouad@salford.ac.uk •Presentation will be made available if needed •Good luck with your PhDs •Always remember that a PhD is an opportunity for you to be trained as a researcher •Always remember, that you are not alone, hundreds of thousands of PhDs are in the same position