What if a PhD student asked you for a piece of advice to help him/her succeed in PhD studies. What would your advice be?
Keep your notes organised, and start your bibliography at the earliest opportunity (preferably electronically with something like Mendeley, and get the app on any device you use - also embed it into Word). If you copy out quotes, note the PAGE where you found them, and be sure you can tell where the quotes begin and end. If you've read it somewhere, you have to be able to recall it and cite it in future.
Get used to allocating your time and setting targets for yourself.
When you're working or writing, keep a separate document to note down distractions that you will have to attend to later - then get back to what you started.
Take advantage of attending workshops and conferences. Speak at them. Network. If you get the chance to publish papers or gain teaching experience, take every opportunity.
And don't start another qualification until you've finished the PhD! (Speaking from experience. First time round, I ended up a well-qualified librarian without a PhD. Second time time round, I got a PhD by part-time study, and THEN started a teaching qualification. Like I said, one thing at a time.
Don't skip supervisions. Try to always have something to talk about. You owe it to your supervisor and to yourself.
Break your dissertation research into manageable bites and publish them in peer reviewed journals as articles. Do this with the full knowledge and cooperation of your dissertation adviser. One, the review process will help you to understand and be able to correct any weaknesses in your research. Two, it will give you some peer reviewed article to put on your C.V. when you go on the job market.
I see that you have your MEd and you are probably wanting to do your PhD.
Keep your notes organised, and start your bibliography at the earliest opportunity (preferably electronically with something like Mendeley, and get the app on any device you use - also embed it into Word). If you copy out quotes, note the PAGE where you found them, and be sure you can tell where the quotes begin and end. If you've read it somewhere, you have to be able to recall it and cite it in future.
Get used to allocating your time and setting targets for yourself.
When you're working or writing, keep a separate document to note down distractions that you will have to attend to later - then get back to what you started.
Take advantage of attending workshops and conferences. Speak at them. Network. If you get the chance to publish papers or gain teaching experience, take every opportunity.
And don't start another qualification until you've finished the PhD! (Speaking from experience. First time round, I ended up a well-qualified librarian without a PhD. Second time time round, I got a PhD by part-time study, and THEN started a teaching qualification. Like I said, one thing at a time.
Don't skip supervisions. Try to always have something to talk about. You owe it to your supervisor and to yourself.
Be patient, things will be great at the end. Be passionate about your work, this will make miracles
-Double check every measurement and every calculation/derivation.
-Make sure that the references are correctly cited.
-Have your advisor actively involved.
-As soon as significant results have been obtained, with the help of your advisor publish the information in peer-reviewed journals (I had 7 or so publications in refereed journals by the time I defended my dissertation. This was helpful and my defense was wrapped in an hour total).
My advice is to go through the literature first before stating the work
learn the methodology in relation to topic.
Collect the related and recent papers published in good journals and after studying those papers, candidate can get an idea about his work and topic.
Thank you all for the wonderful and most invaluable advises. Any PhD student will be thrilled to read these wonderful advises.
Set goal, understand the problem, do depth study of literature, collect accurate data, apply appropriate research methods, analyse and describe your finding in easy language with graphics, don't hesitate to get advise from subject expert, work with patience and never give up.
Be creative! See the world in different perspectives and above all that it has a cooperative solidarity view of the research that it produces.
Have faith, drink adequately, eat wisely, try to have adequate sleep; along with so much other helpful advices.
Know the mainstream literature in the field, and then find the niche for yourself so you don't have to compete with the towering giants who have been in the field for decades. Build a unique academic identity for yourself.
The art of doing a PhD is to finish it while you still feel interested in the subject.
A friend added the slightly more cynical rider: The great thing about finishing a PhD is that you don't have to do it anymore!
But more seriously, be prepared to persevere - almost every PhD candidate has wondered at some point why they were doing this. And try to get feed back from as many people as possible and be prepared to listen to them.
Lots of wonderful advice so far.. all useful. However, I think I would suggest that it is important is to 'Keep it Real'... I read quite a few research papers, all written by PhD's, and I have obtained some very useful, evidence based practices. However, I have only obtained those useful practices from the research that was written for someone who might want to use the findings. Some published research that seemed to be cutting edge and useful, was simply written for other PhD's. Those at the 'front line' who will be the ones to implement the practices were not truly considered when the paper was authored. So, my advice for the PhD candidate; if you believe in what you have done, and you want to increase the fidelity of implementation of your research, keep the 'end user' in mind.
[before reading any other answers] Well, it depends on one's definition of success. Many years ago, my area of interest was decided because of the research assistantship I won, in my major professor's specialty. I persevered within this domain and received my doctorate after about four years, one year longer than I had planned because of failing one written exam. I never really worked in my Ph.D. field after that. So I was successful in getting that critical degree, but I was unsuccessful in finding a passionate specialty that would nurture me for the rest of my career. So, my advice would be to find your passion first, and the Ph.D. will eventually flow naturally from that.
You have received good answers. However, I would need to know the student better to tailor my "piece of advice" to her/him.
to be successful in PhD studies you need to have the desire for research. you need to be able to ask questions and challenge different concept. Have an open mind and keep up to date. do not try to finish as fast as possible, do a good thorough job.
Stay focused on your main question. People get PhDs for what they leave out ! I created a file for everything I left out so I didn’t feel I was completely discarding it.
Over us the Phd degree contains two parts: 1. Phd great go (exam)
2. Phd thesis
So you must be perfect in a wide area of your research thema, too. If you have a mentor professor, you should follow his instructions, do not fewer and not more what he requests. If you have own ideas say it and ask for his opinion about it.
Hello Abdullah Noori;
*You must know why you are doing your PHD? (think what originality or challenges you wish to bring into your nation and society at large) so read widely peer-review articles and non -peer-review articles.
*Ensure you have got a credible Supervisor (you need to seek for your suitable Supervisor not just engage in people's recommendation) who is specialized in the industry of your research field and has a deep-interest to get you through your PHD so bounce your thoughts/ideas/doubts with your PHD Supervisor.
*Be very organize, highly critical on literature discoveries, be clear with your methodologies and is there a hypothesis in your research? Why?
*Be familiar with suitable software tools that you need to process your data (qualitatively or quantitatively).
*Make sure you record your processed data (information) professionally and get 1st hand advice from your Supervisor.
Hi
1- Try to do the best for your country while making your high efforts
2- Keep your hope and happiness for the best throughout the life despite adversities
3- Never betray your country with irresponsibility, disrespect, etc.
4- Be enthusiastic in your work, research and study and the life
good luck
As a starting PhD student, I have definitely gained from the advice received.
Thank you all.
Overall advice:
Live your research. every. day.
Plan your time to work. every. day.
Listen to supervision advice.
Use digital data and literature organizational tools such as Mendeley.
All the best!
My advice would be similar to the answers above.
1. embrace the challenges and uncomfortableFeelings These years will be filled with growth and personal accomplishments
2 Understand and examine all PhD program policies and procedures. Understand dissertation requirement at the front end. Inquire about how your program assigns dissertation advisor’s. Be completely aware of all program requirements to ensure there are no surprises
3. Decide upon a research question as early as humanly possible. Then aligning the programs requirements choose your methodology and statistical approach. The efficacy by which you complete this requirement could dictate graduation date more than anything else.
4 realize that although scientific breakthroughs, and other accomplishments have been known to occur with PhD students A majority of dissertations provide a vehicle for you to develop the requisite research skills and launch your platform of scholarship
5 Remind yourself every day that this will be among the most gratifying years of your life. Don’t look so far in the future that you don’t see the beauty of your learning process
From my beginner's point of view:
1. Be prepared for the task I.e. study one is embarking on in a number of ways, financially, emotionally, etc. This calls for perseverance, being focused, etc. because the journey is long and likely to have challenges.
2. Seek help from useful sources necessary to propel one on the PhD journey.
3. Be ready to read and carry out extensive research.
I see excellent advice from all. Let me chink in the cracks:
Passion is something you choose to develop perhaps more than you discover.
The next two items were on the chalkboard in the grad student cubical farm at USU
1. Start writing as soon as possible.
2. Never tell any one when you think you will be done. (But don't slow down!)
They don't give a PhD for being brilliant so much as for being persistent.
"Friends don't let friends" do PhD alone.
En todos los niveles de Educación y más aún en el Doctoral, es necesario que el estudiante para su avance, se contextualice en las condiciones globales generales y como lo que aprende en su nivel post gradual puede aplicarlo para fortalecer las mejores condiciones del entorno desde su área; de esa manera proyecta su conocimiento y lo aplica al entorno próximo, sin quedarse restringido únicamente al conocimiento. El Saber, Hacer y Ser de manera positiva, tiene grandes beneficios, que le permiten sacar los mejores frutos a sus estudios.
Thank you all for the wonderful advice. Really appreciate you contributions and invaluable insights.
I would advise him to be patient first. Then to check and recheck his problem of research as well as the main reference related to his topic.
I have to answer what, why and how? in explanation of , drink adequately, eat wisely, try to have adequate sleep;
I know; it is not easy to eat, drink and sleep adequately when PhD dinosaur is eating you steadily; from my personal experience, now, when I am in my forties; and dehydration, lack of sleep and eating poorly has negative effects on my health; I have regrets that when we are blessed with good heath and we tend to ignore our health and do not take care of our mental and physical health in our youth; our youth period masks our negligence ,and we run and run for more work, for more study, for life's responsibilities; we left health far behind and when two decades passes, and your metabolism slow down and your body do not respond the way it responds in your twenties and thirties then only you realize that now I need to drink water, I need to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, I should sleep for six to eight hours because now I can not work without having all these. So, now it is the time for young people, take deep breaths, pause; drink 8-10 glasses of fresh water, eat fresh fruits and vegetables and sleep. Stay thankful for your sound cognition and best health, and try to maintain your good health.
Regarding dietary advice, please see some expert advice, as eating balance diet is essential to maintain good health including fresh fruits and vegetables.
Learn so much from all the advise for someone just considering this journey.Very valuable insight to the journey,thank you all.
Let me second Nazia Asad's answer!
MEMORY:
I get them confused now, but I seem to remember that REM sleep is essential for consolidating semantic memories (facts, details) and stage 3 sleep is required to consolidate procedural memories. That is, if you don't get enough sleep, you waste study efforts from the day before.
Mental illnesses commonly surface during the ages in which undergraduate and graduate education occurs. I have taught for 28 years, and I am observing a dramatic increase in mental illness in students the last few years.
Our campus counselors tell me that we can prevent and treat symptoms of mental illness with sufficient rest, exercise and appropriate (balanced) diet. Even severe illness requiring significant medication generally should start with rest, diet, and exercise.
A fellow professor started chatting with a student in the hall about Seasonal Affective Disorder. Within minutes there were 3 students and 4 professors in the ad hoc hall conversation. All of the professors admitted to consistently taking Cod liver oil, or at least fish oil as vitamin D supplements to treat depression symptoms.
We need you alive and well in grad school! It would be good if we can learn healthy habits which will keep you from stress-related illness all your life.
Five pillars of successful doctoral training:
1. Channel our research from a well-structured research project.
2. Planning of the exercises required for the doctoral defense within reasonable periods of time. Take into account our own strengths and weaknesses.
3. Objective perception of time, so that we can meet the planned goals within a reasonable time, this helps to avoid stress and other health effects.
4. Gain broad social support that promotes understanding and essential aids (family, friends, department colleagues)
5. Build a growing network of experts who want to help us
My advice would be : A PhD degree is only a pretext for intellectual development offering a difficult path to those have the desire to pursue it to the end. The thing most needed is grit - a persistent perseverance in attaining the targeted goals.
A Statement to the Student; something like:
A Ph.D. degree usually testifies that its holder has learned how to find a state-of-the-art solution or solutions to an important question in a discipline to the satisfaction of three or more faculty members in that discipline or related disciplines at an institution of higher learning. The Ph.D. tacitly declares its holder as capable of doing research independently to the standards of the institution. Nothing more, Nothing less
Advice: a question to student that the student is to answer in private to him- or herself along with anything else the student wants to consider.
Why do you want to undertake a Ph.D.?
The student should be patience in his thinking, work and with time. Never give up your status at any situation.
Thank you dear RG scholars! Any PhD student will be delighted to read your advice.
Patience! Patience! Patience--this is a process.....I am nearly done with my dissertation--plan your time accordingly, and remember life events can occur--I experienced a major illness and other family events during this time, but now I am back on track. Connect with those who have been on this journey and glean their wisdom. Also think about the positive impact that you hope to make once you obtain your Ph.D by remembering this acronym: Positive, Helper, Doing good for all.
Understand that dissertation work is an evolutionary process not revolutionary, understanding to the problem, conceptual/theoretical framework and research design get solid shape gradually. That is why, i think, the early years are full of cognitive dissonance, feeling of insecurity and confusion; but, in the course of time, candidates feel a sense of self efficacy. In addition, select the right adviser (in case you have the preference) who is suit to your interest/mood. Mostly advisers for in four quadrants in terms of human relation and academic support (++, - -, - + & + -); i personally prefer the ++ quadrant in which the adviser have both positive relation with the advisee and educative academic support to accomplish the dissertation.
I agree with the suggestions that have been made. I would like to add a suggestion that may go beyond their studies. I tell students that they need to think of the years during which they work on their PhD as a career development phase. Learning how to do research and completing a dissertation is only a part of what they should be doing. This is particularly true for students wanting to enter academia. In many fields, PhD students will face their greatest challenge after graduation. In STEM fields the are 4 times more PhD students graduating each year than positions become available. I estimate that the likelihood of a student finding an engineering faculty position straight out of school is extremely low for graduates from most schools (
For research students, formative years in research are very important, because during these stages, they learn the basics and other nuances of research and the ethics involved. PhD aspirants should be motivated to do meaningful research, and only sound techniques in tune with research ethics should be followed. Finding or getting an empathetic supervisor is an important task. Supervisors should understand that their wards always look upon them as role models!
Never take a casual attitude to research work; and under any circumstances, do not breech any of the accepted norms of ethics.
Read the book A PhD Is Not Enough! A Guide to Survival in Science by Feibelman. It has very valuable sections for prospective Ph.D. students. An audiobook version is also available.
Faith, Focus and Find...
faith that you will be guided and directed in your endeavor...
focus on what you're searching, write down complete ref. sources in cards indicating author, title, pub. AND page nos...put every card in one plastic envelope - easier to locate when needed and writing References or Bibliography...
find time to relax! find time to discuss and exchange ideas with others, and find time to laugh at your mistakes!
I will suggest a few things:
(1) Read a lot and keep a note of new things that you have learned.
(2) Use software to manage your citations and to organize your thoughts (Reference management software and qual data analysis software, the later being for lit reviews)
(3) Read how to books on surviving your PhD and writing your dissertation.
(4) As some people noted, be patient and work hard. And be happy.
Take care.
Really appreciate your wonderful and invaluable comments on the topic.
These are largely Bromides. For me the question embedded in the request for advice require a context and detail so that the advice given is relevant.
I'm in the last 6 months of my PhD, and in hindsight, I wish I would have changed my committee. Select advisors who will be interested in your work, actively help you, and encourage you. It's lonely work, and you'll need people who support your efforts. Also, have a statistician on your committee or chapter 4 will be a nightmare.
In the process of writing the content of the dissertation, get ready for the queston the committee members will ask you at the end of the defence. " So what?" :)
Abdullah buenas tardes.
Con relación a tu pregunta, considero que antes de todo compartiría con esta persona la experiencia vivida durante el propio proceso de estudio. Después le diría que algo clave es la constancia, la organización y la sistematización de los productos que vaya obteniendo en la recopilación de la información. Algo que considero clave es el levantamiento de una base de datos para tener la liga de los documentos revisados de manera somera para posteriormente poder abundar en ellos. Otra es que comparta y pida apoyo a otros colegas que estén trabajando un tema similar al de él o ella. Por último le diría que primero haga un proyecto que guiará sus pasos y se ocupe del informe hasta que haya concluido la investigación.
Espero sean de utilidad mis sugerencias.
1. get your problem well defined (this is the first 50% of the job except in science)
2. write everyday
3. keep a list of all quotes and readings with precise biliog. details
Is a long answer that I can do with another kind of conversation.
1. Take classes from best people in your college.
2. Find a topic which excites you.
3. Do not try to answer all possible research questions.
A PhD is a project that has a scale and context. One of the hardest things for new students is realising that your passion it is not a Royal Commission.
Carefully plan the structure of the thesis—chapters, end-text references etc.
Keep well-organised notes from the start. Read the style manual—APA6, get your literature linked to your research questions and keep a focus.
Read John W Creswell and find out about different research approaches. Talk to your supervisors and other successful researchers. Ask questions until you have a clear picture of how your project will fit together. Ask more questions... Set deadlines and keep to them. If you pace yourself, you will reduce your stress. If you get stuck—ask for help, we all need support at times and one day you will be helping someone. Your supervisors might not have all the answers, so find out who the experts are—in Stats or IT.
We have just published: The Life Scientists' Guide for New PhD Students - it contains advice from life scientists (from professors to PhD students themselves!), to help new PhD students as they take that first step on their research journey. The link is:
https://www.hellobio.com/blog/the-life-scientists-guide-for-new-phd-students.html
Hope this helps!
From the very beginning, get a pin point focus and direct all of your papers and research toward that focus. This can expedite the dissertation process.
1) find somebody who’s far enough from your topic but with the same background to discuss with
2) never ever wait for somebody else to get something done
3) chop it up in manageable pieces; ideally pieces that correspond to the length of a peer reviewed article
4) try to get frequent time with your supervisor to discuss progress and the continuation of your research
5) never give up!
Be patient and prepare for long journey. Research wider, but focus on one segment of your research. Thesis isn't your life asssesement. It is just a "driver licence" for science.
Be organized. When you saving digital resources, name it by surname of authors - you will have easier job later.
On the end of the day organize all used resources.
Discuss with people about your work - not just experts. When you are trying to explain your work to someone aome idea may came up. :-)
And finally - you can do it - keep saying to yourself this.
Phd thesis is like a marathon. Nevertheless, you might know the finishing line but not really the route and the distance. It means that during the 3 or 4 years of PhD thesis, you should learn to optimize your time and energy.
The following advices that we can give are:
1. You should ask for frequent meetings with your supervisors (essentially if there are 2). At the beginning of your PhD studies, this meeting should be around one time by week. At the end of the meetings, you should write a brief minutes to summarize what was said.
2. You should make your literature review during the first months of your thesis. Please keep in mind that new articles on your research activities are published every months, so this work is never finished. You should put some alarms (by using some adequate keywords…) on the different publishing companies (Elsevier, Wiley, ACS, Springer, RCS….).
3. Even if you had the best education in your research activities, it is always good to read some books on the basic. If you have the opportunities to take some advanced lectures, do not hesitate to do it, even if it lasts for one week. Do not be afraid to take some new courses like economy or languages if you make a scientific phd. You should be curious and develop your creativity.
4. Be organized, make a schedule essentially if you have some experimental parts. Try to order the chemicals in time for example….
5. Participate to conferences and make some presentations. During these conferences, you should also some research which are different that your research activities. Also, you should start to make your network for your future (post-doc, assistant professor…).
6. Except if you make an industrial thesis, otherwise you need to publish some articles during your phd thesis. One of my colleague told me one day “To make an article, it is easy. You should define a literature review and see what is missing (objectives). You should define your objectives, make a clear research programme (with a schedule). Then, make the experiments, analyze the results and write your article.” You can find different books treating on how to write an article. You should have a look to them.
7. Think of your future: you should make a network, you should supervise some master students (if you have the opportunity) and give some lectures.
To make all these points, you should be autonomous (but keep in touch your advisors) and organized. You will be specialized in your research activity but you should also develop some skills in supervision, pedagogy and languages.
Sharing is caring and I'll share whatever I think is important and useful- without any limitation.
I completed my PhD thesis only within two and half years from Australia.The main thing is to have patience and hard working attitude. Discuss your research problem with others as much as you can. Other important thing is to find out expert people in your area and talk repetitively to make your idea clear. Never give up your status at any situation. Be organized also.
I can help you. Bit web need more time AND space. Senderismo me an email
But I need to read tour proyect or ideas. Write to muy email. [email protected]
I would read his proyect, give him complementary ideas and concepts, etc.
But, the most important thing is to talk and work with your director regularly, monthly, atte least. Even by tecnology
Many excellent pratical advices.
I would mention a philosophical one : do not forget that during your PhD work, you are supposed to add something to the whole of Knowledge. So, from time to time, try to reword your problem, and to see it from a different point of view. What are evidences ? What do I take for granted that could in fact be discussed ? What are the problems connected, the methods used in different fields that could be used, and so on... In science, it is important to be broad minded !
Thank you Dr. María Isabel Calneggia and Dr. Romero for your contributions and sharing your scholarly experiences.
Keep moving forward. Everyday do something on your thesis, even if it only writing a few sentences. I can tell you that those few sentences add up by the end of the week or the month or the semester or even the year!
Thank you Dr. Páraic S. Ó Súilleabháin and Dr. Sabine Franklin for the scholarly advises.
Abdullah, write every day AND read new theory. One of the best things Is your revition of theory and research.
My advice to a PhD student to succeed in PhD studies is to make sure you have chosen a very good Principal Supervisor who is familiar with your field of research and is unselfish with his or her time in providing advice. Secondly ensure you have studied and mastered different research methodologies that you can bounce with your supervisor/s. Thirdly you must have good sample size and collection of unbiased data collection from companies and businesses willing to support your research collection of data. Fourthly take advices given by others selectively that supports your research's originality (you should know what is relevant or bounce it with your core supervisor). Finally commit yourself to your research work (it is your research study so be prepared to put-in quality time and work diligently) and balance your life with 'work & play'. Wishing You All The Best, Abdullah Noori.
Le aconsejaría mirar las cuestiones del revés... y seguir adelante sólo si no puede dormir pensando en su tesis.
Determine to do something on your thesis every day however small.
A good and understanding supervisor is very important because the journey is challenging but not impossible.
I would advise you to work incessantly to achieve the greatest possible knowledge of your object of study.
I would direct them to Scholarly articles for reference. Then, I would direct them to the different aspects of his/her theory.
"Work hard", yes. I would not say "incessantly". Everyone needs some time to relax and recuperate after a spell of hard work. We have an old-fashioned expression in English, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" ... it is actually sound advice!
Begin with a Lit Review, Then lay out your thoughts and compile your thesis statement, prepare the body of the paper, then conclude formatting everything together. Reference APA, MLA, Chicago style, add footnotes and references. "Don't plagiarize"
Thank you Dr. María Isabel Calneggia, Dr. Khaldoon Dhou, Dr. Vanaja Karagiannidis, Dr. Mohammad Mehdizadeh, Dr. S. K. Chaubey, and Dr. Alicia Sagüés Silva for your contributions.
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