Becoming a professional researcher Shonil Bhagwat, Nadia Bartolini, Jim McGinlay Faculty of Social Sciences

The Illustrated Guide to a PhD “Every [year], I explain to a fresh batch of PhD students what a PhD is. It's hard to describe it in words. So, I use pictures. Read below for the illustrated guide to a PhD” Source: Matt Might (Computer scientist at the University of Utah)

Imagine a circle that contains all of human knowledge…

By the time you finish elementary school, you know a little…

By the time you finish high school, you know a bit more…

With a bachelor's degree, you gain a specialty…

A master's degree deepens that specialty…

Reading research papers takes you to the edge of human knowledge…

Once you're at the boundary, you focus…

You push at the boundary for a few years…

Until one day, the boundary gives way…

And, that dent you've made is called a PhD…

Of course, the world looks different to you now…

So, don't forget the bigger picture, but keep pushing!...

The Meaning of a PhD Professor Derek Pugh Open University Business School Adapted from Estelle M. Phillips and Derek S. Pugh How to Get a PhD (5th edition) Open University Press, 2010

Command of subject At the most basic level it means that you have something to say that your peers want to listen to. In order to do this you must have a command of what is happening in your subject so that you can evaluate the worth of what others are doing. You must have the astuteness to discover where you can make a useful contribution.

Research methods and ethics You must be aware of the ethics of your profession and work within them. You must have mastery of appropriate techniques that are currently being used, and also be aware of their limitations.

Communication to diverse audiences You must be able to communicate your results effectively in the professional arena. All this must be carried out in an international context; your professional peer group is worldwide. All this is to be carried out in an ever changing environment in your field of research.

Questions for Nadia and Jim What was your PhD about and what did you do to identify your research questions? How did you choose your research methods? How did you communicate your research to diverse audiences during your PhD?

Questions for Nadia and Jim Since completing your PhD, how do you keep on top of your subject and keep in touch with new developments in your field? If you were to do your PhD all over again, how would you change your research design or the choice of methodologies? What experience have you had of communicating your research and establishing yourself as a researcher since completing the PhD?

Questions for Nadia and Jim Other questions?