Estelle M. Phillips and Derek S. Pugh Summarized by Chaky (2012) 1

Objective of this presentation To provide a summary and key points Structure of the presentation Before getting PhD Starting PhD During PhD Writing and presenting thesis 2

BEFORE GETTING PHD Before getting PhD Starting PhD During PhD Writing and presenting thesis 3

1. Ask yourself clearly Why do you want a PhD? What is your long term goal? 4

2. Learn the nature of PhD Under your own management Self-doubt Isolation (working alone) Boredom Great dedication, not brilliance PhD same as work Intrinsic rewards – Inner satisfaction rather than external 5

3. People who likely to failed 1.Overestimate what is required 2.Underestimate what is required 3.Supervisor does not know what a PhD requires 4.Losing contact with supervisor 5.Working in bad environment 6.Write bad thesis 7.Take a part-time job (or new job) before finish 6

4. Decides Choose university or research institute Choose supervisor based on – Your research interests – Experiences – Publications – Working style! – Read their homepage or publications carefully before interview! Sometimes you cannot choose! – Think carefully of your motivation of PhD 7

STARTING PHD Before getting PhD Starting PhD During PhD Writing and presenting thesis 8

Starting PhD Maintain good relationship Understand what your supervisor expects from your PhD Learn the techniques, methodology, writing style – Perform literature review Set up small project/experiment – Discuss – Understand your professor working culture – Learn about the experimental process Read other’s PhD thesis 9

Expectation of supervisors Supervisor expects student to 1.Be independent 2.Produce good written work, even the first draft 3.Have regular meetings 4.Be honest 5.Follow their advices 6.Provide work that is fun to read! 7.Educate supervisors 10

Choosing research topic Characteristics of good research – Raise good question – Have feasible solution in mind and expected results (this is not cheating) – Examine data deeply – Specify limitations clearly – Contribution original 11

What is original? 1.Major piece of new information 2.Continue previous work 3.Carry out original work designed by supervisor 4.Provide original methodology, technique, observation, or result, in an unoriginal but hot topics of research 5.Testing someone else’s idea 6.Doing empirical work that no one did before 7.Doing synthesis that no one work before 8.Provide new interpretation using same data 9.Doing something in different countries 10.Use a technique and apply in another areas 11.Using multi-disciplinary methodologies 12.Looking at new areas in your discipline 13.Extending knowledge in a already-well known area 12

DURING PHD Before getting PhD Starting PhD During PhD Writing and presenting thesis 13

Good management Set short term goals and long term goals Set deadlines! Time management – Use calendar Stress management – Talk to others Task management – List up task for each goal. Discuss with your supervisor frequently – Appoint via – Maintain supervisor interest in your work – Supervisor should know what are you doing now 14

WRITING AND PRESENTING THESIS Before getting PhD Starting PhD During PhD Writing and presenting thesis 15

Writing thesis Four important elements include – Background – Research statement – Methodology and results – Contribution Getting feedback from supervisor and rewriting is the key Write in any order you feel comfortable Write frequently. That’s how your brain thinks. 16

Bad thesis Inadequate four important elements Too long Bad headings Inadequate figures/graphs/pictures Too difficult to read – Too technical – Too mathematical – Best: anyone can read and enjoy. 17

Oral examination Criteria: – Originality – Know well of your field – Communicate effectively – Know the fundamental research methodology and techniques – Publications – Can supervises other 18

SUMMARY Before getting PhD Starting PhD During PhD Writing and presenting thesis 19

Key points: How to get a PhD? 1.Concentrate 2.Communicate effectively 3.Get feedback and act accordingly 4.Be flexible 5.Good management 6.Working under a suiting environment 20

APPENDIX 21

HOW TO SUPERVISE 22

Expectation of students Students expect their supervisor to – Advise them accordingly – Given adequate time – Read their work – Be friendly, open, and supportive – Be constructively critical – Have good research knowledge – Show interest in their work – Help them get a good job after PhD 23

Characteristics of good supervisors Role model Teaching the techniques and methodology Give effective feedback – Provide criticism when needed – Underline that criticism is to make progress – Give good news first – Balance between appreciation and criticism – Give criticism impersonally No personal emotions; provide objective criticism – Provide feedback clearly – Pay attention to what your students say – After the discussion, let the supervisor or your student repeat what has been discussed and what needs to be done Provides early direction – Read your student’s work and his/her ideas carefully – Lead the student in the right direction Understand your student psychologically and technically – Weakness and strength 24