Research proposal defence preparation
How can one prepare exceptionally good for passing proposal defence? Does it follow the same procedure as thesis defence? If a candidate fails the defence, can he redo it with a different proposal?
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perry578
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sarah2784
Should I go for a part-time PhD?
Is it a good idea to pursue part-time PhD? I have gone through websites of many universities in UK promising that there is not much difference between full-time and part-time doctoral programme they offer. But it’s just that I do not understand this distinction made by the universities between the both. Can anyone advise if part-time PhD is a good way to go for? Do these courses follow the same coursework and other thesis submission and defence procedure?
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partridge74
For me, it doesn’t matter whether you do PhD through full-time or part-time mode. It’s all about how dedicated you are with your PhD research and thesis. Yes…almost all PhD proceedings go rightly the same with both part-time and full-time PhD. But some universities in the UK provide two PhD supervisors to you in part-time PhD when only one is given to you in full-time PhD. Also, full-time PhD may get a little expensive for you when compared to part-time PhD, but then you have the option to obtain research fundings from the universities.
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joseph664
There is, of course, a considerable difference in both full-time PhD or campus-based PhD study would mean that you are focused only on your research; attending conferences, scheduling up meetings with your advisor and working on it rigorously. Whereas this might not be possible with a part-time PhD if I say! If you are employed, then the struggle with job and research is inevitable. Plus, time-frame must also be kept under consideration. A full-time PhD is completed in three years only whereas a full-time PhD is usually stretched up to six years.
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tom2331
Go for a full-time PhD if possible. Because in part time PhD, you might not get the learning and knowledge which you will gain when you reach out your peers, seniors, juniors and advisors in university campus during full time PhD.
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alexie18
Creating an effective interview protocol
For my qualitative research, the supervisor advised collecting the relevant research data through an interview. He guided me only a little about how interview protocol is developed and how transcripts are refined. This brief introduction did me no significant help as I have never prepared any interview protocol. But now in PhD, I must do it and that too alone!! Is someone here who can guide me on creating an interview protocol for qualitative research?
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matilda774
Your interview protocol must be in alignment of your research question and literature review. For developing interview questions, first get the clarity of the extent to which you need to explore the issue and probe the questions for the respondent. Also, since you are preparing it for a qualitative research, stay concerned while writing open-ended questions. The most common mistake that often researchers do is that they formulate the open-ended questions too expansive which at times is good but not always. The vast the questions is, much complicated and tough to transcribe the answer will be.
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joseph664
Internet protocol is not much strenuous! It can be developed in the same way as you develop the qualitative questionnaire. The only difference is that you get only limited information from respondents through questionnaire, whereas interview protocol enables the interviewer to get more specific and additional information. But yes, there is one major challenge with interview protocol. Not every researcher can make the full use of it due to rapport. Establishing that comfort and friendly connection with interviewee is the toughest part. Keep this in mind while preparing questions and introductory script.
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Rosaline
No objection certificate PhD guide
Is it necessary to obtain no objection certificate from the previous supervisor? Suppose if I had some terrible issues with my previous supervisor and would like to submit an application in university for the change of supervisor, but he doesn’t agree to sign the certificate, will my supervisor be changed?
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Christina
Changing PhD guide is a big deal for University faculty. It depends upon the reason for demanding such a change and how adverse the impact is upon your research. Let us say, you want to change your PhD advisor and want to begin working with a new supervisor on a fresh research problem or topic discarding the research work you have done before, your supervisor can be changed even if the previous advisor doesn’t sign the certificate. However, if you like to continue with the existing research work with a new supervisor, obtaining no objection certificate from the previous supervisor and a PhD consent letter from the new supervisor becomes mandatory.
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Patrick
If you are submitting the application at a later stage of your PhD, it is nearly impossible that university will transfer you to a new supervisor as then the established work flow is interrupted, and supervisors do not accept the PhD projects that have already been started by another supervisor. So, whether your previous advisor signs No objection certificate or not remains of no use.
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joshua533
Qualitative Data Analysis
Hi all! I’m doing a research on inter-racial marriages and mixed-race children. I am thinking of going for a qualitative analysis. Highly confused what will work the best? I am currently working with three supervisors. All of them have a different say – grounded theory, IPA, discourse analysis etc. I personally want to go for Thematic Analysis. Any suggestions? Please help!
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Weston
Supervisors usually feel that somehow Thematic Analysis(TA) is unsophisticated for doctoral levels. My supervisors were adamant too. But, I was able to defend my methodology & used TA successfully with convincing results. You research topic has a lot of nuancing . You must be having two sets of data extracted from two sources– couples & their children. Even I feel TA would be effective. You’ll be able to explore more, more themes, more patterns.Try & convince them that you prefer having a simple, easy to understand version of your interpretation report. Other methods can be complex. You can color code the themes emanating from thematic analysis.
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Shelley
If you decide on a method, you should always be able to defend it too. Ask yourself why is it that you want to go for TA. If you can’t come up with any strong reason to support your preference, then listen to your supervisors. May be your supervisors are right in suggesting you otherwise. You’re a first time researcher and they know more than you.
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george
It’s normal getting confused. Afterall it is your PhD. Just remember, all these methods would work for qualitative analysis(QA). You just need to decide what will work the best. Grounded, IPA, Discourse are slightly advanced. If you feel unsure of getting effective results using advanced methods, then go for TA. Persuade your supervisors that you are more at ease with TA than other methods.
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Aaron
I feel IPA would be more effective. Your data must be consisting of people’s personal experiences.
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molly736
Tips on writing literature review
I am doing part-time PhD from past few months and have been managing my job and research quite well, but I have had some aborted attempts to write the literature review. Recently, I have gone through a bad patch of work. I have tried many different ways to write the literature review, such as mind mapping, just writing, etc. but nothing has come to my rescue and things have turned frustrating now. Can anyone give me few tips on how to write the same? It will be of great help.
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Humbert
Discuss on any other literature review given on the topic. Explain how your research will help in filling the gaps in that subject. At the end of the review, write a conclusion.
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melisa72
I can completely relate to you. In the beginning, I was going through the same phase but my supervisor helped me go through this. He suggested thinking of it as a kitchen sieve. Start with the broadest topic and continually narrow it until you reach your final point.
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sherry
I would also recommend Hart’s book. My supervisor advised it to me and I am thankful to him. It helped me a lot. It made my mind clear about how to proceed with the review.
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Robbie
I would advise you to pick 10-15 articles to use as the core of the review. Take help of these articles and analyse how they have been written.
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London
I will recommend you to read Hart’s book on literature review. It is a long book but the amount of knowledge it provides on how to write a literature review is well worth the time. It gives a lot of advice on how to go with the process.
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Karl
Start by identifying the problem statement of your thesis. Explain why this area of study is important. Give your reasons for selecting the research and how it differs from the already done research. Also, Your conclusion can provide support for an allegation made in the introduction, or simply critique the study to encourage more work in the area.
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lucas446
How can I formulate my research objective?
Hey everyone. I am pursuing my PhD and stuck in the very beginning. I am finding it quite challenging to write research objectives. I very well know about what I am going to research and what are the problems of my research but the real struggle comes with the writing. How should I write various objectives of my research?
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danny54460
You are quite right in the context of research objectives. It is sometimes difficult to write what you already know. I suggest you to provide accurate description of the specific actions you will take in order to reach this aim.
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kelly2368
You remind me of my own PhD days. From my experience I can tell you that it is not as difficult to formulate research objective as it looks. You can start with making a draft of your research objectives and then formulate sentences for each one of them.
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addison2017
Use action verbs such as to identify, establish, describe, assess, determine, estimate, develop, compare, analyse, collect.
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Alisa Louis
The objectives should cover different aspects of the problem and its contributing factors in a coherent way.
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Molly
You can always consult your supervisors. Do not hesitate because writing the research objective is an important part of your thesis and should be well written.
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danny54460
Is it pre viva anxiety?
Hi. I have read few articles online on pre-viva anxiety & now I think I’m suffering from the same. Actually, my doctoral viva is scheduled after 3 months, so basically got a less time to prepare. And reading all those, I were nodding in positive. Can you guys just tell me how to deal with such state of mind? Any tips for preparation is appreciated. Thanks.
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terry
Let me tell you what my examiner said to me during viva on the very first moment. He told me that he wants me to pass the viva so I should not get nervous or restless. He even warned me to not to change his mind. Did you get what he and I mean?
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Peter
Opt for the experienced examiners once provided choice. Experienced ones would make less tough for you to answer because they are already aware of your expertise. On the contrary, inexperienced examiners would ask each and everything which might give you a hard time.
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danny54460
@Terry Of course, I understand what you mean. Anyway, had you passed your viva then?
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Roger
I had the same anxiety but mine wasn’t due to reading or something. Past viva experiences was the reason. I would suggest be positive and surround you with positivity. Keep yourself motivated, confident of your thesis; challenge your examiner since you are the expert of your paper. You can answer any question raised related to your thesis.
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sherry599
Not enough study material available for literature review
Pals, please advise me readings or any fruitful suggestion for literature review. I’m not finding enough criticism and material available to review and then compare and contrast with my own. What should I do now? I’m tired of going round and round in the libraries and bookstores. And I don’t find study material on internet reliable. I’m a PhD student of English literature and need to work on the renaissance era. Badly need help.
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Robin
It’s not true. You can find scholarly articles and journals on J.Stor and Academia.edu. They only contain trusted and high level of research papers. And there are number of academic essays, books, and literary criticism available on renaissance. It’s just that you must ‘research’ to get the right information. Narrow your topic down but must look for related genre and theories.
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Dr S Loretti
Resist under-researched work please lest you should be ready to face rejection. Consult supervisor and professors of the concerned field and don’t be afraid to run after books, and journals. It is a PhD and this is why it is called ‘difficult’. Search for old journals, they contain vast information.
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sherry599
Thanks to both for advice. 🙂
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ra974
Why keywords for journal paper?
When I took my medical research paper to a journal in order to get it published, they asked me to include keywords which would make it accessible all over. But what sort of keywords? How and where will I get them? Please suggest me guys.
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Rayen
Many journals ask for keywords, especially e-journals. Keywords should be directly linked to the ideas and concept of your paper. It would help the users to refine search and find your article in that journal easily.
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Sirrah
Keywords are used for indexing purpose. Since, it’s your medical paper; you can take ideas from Medical Sub Headings (MeSH). It is sort of dictionary of medical terms controlled by U.S. National Library of Medicine.
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Discuss your Dissertation 
sarah2784 3:51 am on June 24, 2017 Permalink |
Success of your proposal defence largely depends upon the potential of your research project and the presentation of your proposal. The problem that you are willing to explore through your research project must be of crucial importance, and you must convince the committee during defence that if you are encouraged to work on this problem and project, a new set of knowledge will be brought into the limelight. Now answering your second question, it can be said that the proposal defence is somewhat like thesis defence. Some of the basic differences could be the time frame, the official proceedings, and of course the main element which you discuss. As to say, in proposal defence you field the questions regarding the things you will be researching upon, need and significance of the study and why you should be allowed to go for it. And in thesis defence, you will be fielding the questions regarding the research study you conducted, what and how you achieved your research objectives and goals. I’m not well informed if one can redo his defence or not.
alexie18 6:57 am on June 26, 2017 Permalink |
There are mainly three decisions that your committee chair can make: accept without corrections, accept with correction or completely reject. You can redo your proposal defence if your committee is ready to accept your proposal with some major or minor revisions. Universities give three to six months for revising the proposal based upon the changes required. But if your proposal defence gets completely rejected, you cannot redo it. Then your PhD application is discarded, and you must come up with a new proposal. The choice of research topic or problem is yours, so it hardly matters if you are developing a proposal on a new topic or the one previously proposed.