Planning, Structuring and Managing your PhD

Dr. Mark Matthews

Thesis

• Your first piece of significant academic work

• Contribution to new knowledge • AND a learning process for you

Common problems

1. Poor planning2. Methodological difficulties3. Writing4. Isolation5. Personal Problems6. Supervision

Brown & Atkins, 1990

Challenge 1 – getting started

Find out what you are expected to do by:• Attending departmental orientation and

technical programs• Course handbooks• GSO guidelines• Books and websites• Read excellent theses

• Questions:– When am I going to work?– Where will I work?– How will I know if I’m on the right track?

• Avoid anxiety• Get a management system• External deadlines & Rewards• Hopelessly inaccurate estimates are much

more efficient than no estimates at all

Challenge 2 managing yourself

Technological Needs

• What skills do you need?• Temptation• Backups

Information Support Services: • “Planning thesis production using MS Word” • “Using Endnote”• “SPSS”

Challenge 3 managing your writing

• Self-Management• Structure• Academic Writing• Research Journal

Thesis types

Find out the structure for your discipline

Start writing

Formalities (one file)– Cover Page– Key words– Abstract– List of Tables and

Figures– Ethics statement– Statement of

original authorship– Acknowledgements– Table of contents

Chapters (one file each)– Chapter 1. Introduction

and overview– Chapter 2. Literature

review– Chapter 3. Research

question– Chapter 4. Methodology– Chapter 5. Results– Chapter 6. Discussion– Chapter 7. Summary

and conclusions– References/bibliography

Chapter 1

• What the thesis is about (write now)• What the chapters say (write after

they are written)• Summary and conclusion • Why the research is important (write

anytime you work this out)

Structure each chapter

• What is the theme?

• How does it relate to one before and after?

• Have you explained these relationships start and end?

• Where and how can these links be made clearer?

Challenge 4.what is my thesis about?

• Research Statement (25-30 words)• Get feedback on it• Discuss with supervisor • Reach agreement as early as

possible

SPQR

• How would you describe the current situation?

• What is the key problem your PhD addresses?

• What questions arise from problem?• What did you do to answer the question?

(response)

• What you want to do

• What your supervisor wants you to do

• How to contact your supervisor?

• Know supervisor’s strengths/weaknesses

• Isolation

Challenge 5. Your Supervisor

Find out:

• Research Interests

• Recent publications

• Experience supervising

• How much time they will have

• Will you be able to get on?

• What kind of role does your supervisor expect?

Rowena Murray, ‘How to write a thesis’

Challenge 5. Your Supervisor

Challenge 6 – managing content

• Set task targets with your supervisor• Make maximum use of resources• Get your material reviewed by peers

(seminars, conferences, publish)• Make contact with people doing similar

research (network)

What can you do now?

• Make a plan

• Establish a routine / rhythm

• Start writing now

• Read one book on writing

• Read one thesis

• Set long-term / short-term goals

Further help

How to Get a PhD: A Handbook for Students and Their Supervisorsby Estelle Phillips & D.S. Pugh

How to Write a Thesis (Paperback) by Rowena Murray

Our Workshops

Thesis WritingThu 4 Mar 16:00 – 18:00• 5039 Arts Building Developing Critical ArgumentsMon 8 Mar 13:00 – 15:00• Luce Hall Seminar Room Viva PreparationThu 18 Mar 16:00• Luce Hall Seminar Room

Postgraduate Summer School

https://podcast.tcd.ie/users/summerschool/

• Come to Summer School

• Visit the website

Student Learning Development

Visit our website at: http://student-learning.tcd.ie

Email qs to student.learning@tcd.ie

Phone us on 01 8961407