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Searching... | 30000010215123 | LB2386 M37 2009 | Open Access Book | Book | Searching... |
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Summary
Summary
If you are doing, thinking about doing, or know someone who is doing a doctorate, then this is the survival kit you need! Rather than focusing on the technical side of the doctorate, this book looks at all the other crucial skills that are part of everyday doctoral life. This candid book provides real insight into what it's like to do a doctorate and offers practical advice on: The application process Sources of financial support Motivational issues Student-supervisor relationships Departmental and university politics Publishing, conferences and networking Career strategies Written by recent doctoral graduates, the book also includes real examples and case studies from current doctoral students and recent graduates across a range of disciplines and universities. By demystifying the doctoral process How to Survive Your Doctorate prepares you for life as a doctoral student like no other book. See for yourself and be a survivor!
Author Notes
Jane Metthiesen is Lecturer in Strategic Management at Aston Business School in Birmingham, UK. She received her doctorate from Aston University in October 2005.
Mario Binder is a Project Manager at an international management consultancy in Berlin, Germany. He also holds a Visiting Research Fellowship at Aston Business, School, where he received his PhD in March 2007.
Table of Contents
List of figures | p. xi |
List of tables | p. xii |
Acknowledgements | p. xiii |
1 Introduction | p. 1 |
Who is this book for? | p. 2 |
Why choose this book? | p. 2 |
How to read and use the book | p. 4 |
Who we are: the authors | p. 6 |
2 Getting started | p. 7 |
The nature of a doctoral degree: mind the gap! | p. 8 |
Make a contribution, do not reinvent the wheel | p. 9 |
Doing research is like doing a puzzle | p. 9 |
Determination beats brilliance | p. 10 |
Academia is not (always) an ivory tower | p. 11 |
A doctorate is different to a Master's degree | p. 11 |
Advantages and disadvantages of doing a doctorate | p. 12 |
Concluding note | p. 13 |
The application process | p. 14 |
Selecting a university and department | p. 16 |
Selecting a supervisor | p. 20 |
Writing a research proposal | p. 24 |
Preparing and submitting your documents | p. 25 |
Entering the academic community | p. 27 |
Registration | p. 27 |
The doctorate | p. 28 |
3 Managing the self | p. 31 |
Make sure your basic needs are met first | p. 32 |
Physical/financial | p. 33 |
Social/relational | p. 35 |
Emotional/psychological | p. 37 |
Figure out how you learn best and what motivates you | p. 38 |
Common demotivators and potential solutions | p. 39 |
So many things to do, so little time: the magnitude of the task | p. 39 |
I don't know what to do: lack of direction | p. 41 |
The same thing all over again: the repetitiveness of the task | p. 46 |
I'm bored: limited attention span | p. 48 |
Everything else is more fun: never-ending distractions | p. 49 |
I'm afraid to fail: big shadows | p. 51 |
Keeping sight of the end goal | p. 52 |
4 Dealing with your supervisor | p. 54 |
The nature of supervision | p. 55 |
Differing aims and expectations of doctoral students and supervisors | p. 56 |
Developing a relationship with your supervisor | p. 58 |
Communication is the key | p. 59 |
Coping with different supervisor styles | p. 61 |
Dealing with the perfect supervisor | p. 63 |
Dealing with the supportive supervisor | p. 63 |
Dealing with the idealistic supervisor | p. 64 |
Dealing with the inexperienced supervisor | p. 64 |
Dealing with the ignorant supervisor | p. 65 |
Dealing with the absent supervisor | p. 67 |
Dealing with the awkward supervisor | p. 68 |
Dealing with the demanding supervisor | p. 69 |
Dealing with the selfish supervisor | p. 70 |
Dealing with the arrogant supervisor | p. 71 |
Dealing with the friendly supervisor | p. 72 |
Changing supervisor(s) and/or university | p. 73 |
Being supervised by a committee of supervisors | p. 78 |
5 Sidelines of a doctorate | p. 82 |
Publications | p. 83 |
'Publish or perish' | p. 84 |
Types of publication outlet | p. 85 |
Decisions involved in publishing | p. 88 |
The publication process | p. 93 |
Conferences | p. 96 |
Going to conferences: decisions and steps | p. 96 |
Key messages | p. 99 |
Teaching | p. 100 |
Networking | p. 101 |
Types of contact | p. 102 |
Building and maintaining relationships | p. 103 |
Professional development | p. 105 |
Opportunities | p. 105 |
Access | p. 106 |
Balance | p. 106 |
Exchanges | p. 107 |
6 Finances | p. 109 |
Scholarships and bursaries | p. 110 |
Scholarships, bursaries and grants: the basics | p. 111 |
University and departmental funding | p. 112 |
Public bodies and institutions | p. 113 |
Private organizations | p. 118 |
Self-funding | p. 119 |
Teaching/research assistantships | p. 119 |
Part-time work | p. 122 |
UK employment and international students | p. 124 |
Own resources | p. 125 |
7 Politics | p. 126 |
University structures | p. 127 |
The generic university structure | p. 127 |
Staff structure | p. 128 |
Why politics happen | p. 129 |
Early warning signs | p. 130 |
Avoiding messy situations | p. 132 |
What to do once you are caught up in politics | p. 133 |
Escalating and withdrawing | p. 133 |
Seeking support and allying | p. 135 |
Compromises and alternatives | p. 136 |
Negotiate and fight | p. 137 |
Using the political game to your advantage | p. 139 |
Bluffing | p. 140 |
Undercutting others | p. 140 |
Hold out for better offers: negotiation tactics | p. 140 |
So-what's the verdict? | p. 141 |
8 Alternative routes to a doctorate | p. 142 |
Part-time, distance learning and mature doctorates | p. 143 |
Overseas and international doctorates | p. 147 |
Executive or professional doctorates | p. 150 |
Doctorate by publication | p. 153 |
9 Career paths and strategies | p. 156 |
The academic career | p. 157 |
Fellowships | p. 157 |
Lectureships | p. 161 |
Doctoral strategies for an academic career | p. 164 |
The industrial career | p. 165 |
Company employment | p. 166 |
Consultancy | p. 167 |
Government institutions and non-profit organizations | p. 170 |
Doctoral strategies for an industrial career | p. 171 |
The hybrid career | p. 172 |
Doctoral strategies for a hybrid career | p. 173 |
The undecided career | p. 173 |
Doctoral strategies for an undecided career | p. 174 |
Active career development | p. 175 |
Being aware of stereotypes | p. 176 |
10 Getting out: the viva and beyond | p. 178 |
The viva voce | p. 179 |
What is a viva and what does it look like? | p. 179 |
Selecting and appointing the examiners | p. 183 |
Preparing for the viva | p. 184 |
Conduct during the viva | p. 185 |
The post-viva period | p. 185 |
Leaving early | p. 186 |
Life after the doctorate | p. 191 |
Interaction with former colleagues and supervisors | p. 191 |
Letting go and moving on | p. 192 |
References | p. 193 |
Index | p. 197 |