Pointers for those who are thinking of doing their PhD degree.

1. Thinking of Doing
a PhD?
Diljit Singh
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2. Background
Rationale for presentation
• Many want to do their PhD
• Some start on their PhD ‘journey’, some will not
• Some of those who start on their PhD journey will
succeed, some will not
• Some will enjoy the PhD journey, many will struggle
to complete it
• Aim is to successfully complete your PhD,
and enjoy the journey
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3. Background
Rationale for Presentation
• To provide some insights into the PhD ‘journey’ so
that is can be successful and pleasant
• To create an awareness of what lies ahead and
how to prepare yourself can make the journey
easier
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4. Aims of Presentation
• To raise awareness about the PhD, and the
requirements for the successful completion of
the degree
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5. Target Audience of Presentation
• Those who are thinking of doing a PhD, but
have not started yet
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6. Outline of Presentation
• What is a PhD?
• Why Do a PhD?
• Requirements for a PhD
• Considerations in doing a PhD
• Should you do a PhD?
• What’s next?
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7. What is a PhD ?
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8. What is a PhD?
• What is a PhD?
• 'PhD' comes from Latin term Philiosphiae Doctor
• Translated into English as 'Doctor of Philosophy‘
• A PhD
• is an advanced postgraduate degree involving 3 or more years
of research on an original topic
• is carried out with the support of one or more academic
supervisors
• results in a thesis that makes a significant original contribution to
knowledge
• confers the title ‘Doctor’ upon successful candidates
• is the highest academic degree a student can achieve and [in
many cases] is considered the entrance qualification for a
university teaching position
https://www.findaphd.com/advice/finding/what-is-a-phd.aspx8

9. What is a PhD?
• What is a PhD?
• the highest academic qualification that a student
can achieve
• practically speaking, it is a 3-4 year individual
research project involving advanced scholarship
focusing on a specific area, and which makes an
original contribution to knowledge
Adapted from
https://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/philosophy/studywithus/pgrstudy/what-
is-a-phd/
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10. What is a PhD?
• What is a PhD?
• … a prestigious qualification that demonstrates
talent, academic excellence and a thirst for
knowledge
• over a registration period, you investigate a
research topic and develop your research skills,
culminating in the completion, submission and
defence via an oral examination of a 100,000 word
doctoral thesis to the satisfaction of the examiners
Adapted from
The Open University http://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/research-
degrees/degrees-we-offer/doctor-of-philosophy-phd
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11. What is a PhD?
• So, what is a PhD?
• The highest academic qualification
• Usually completed in 3 – 5 years (but may take more)
• Based on a research project
• That makes an original contribution to the body of
knowledge or understanding in a specific field
• Provides
• in-depth knowledge on a specific subject
• training to become an independent researcher
• Entitles you to use Dr. before your name
• Is a pathway to an academic career or a research-
based career
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12. What is a PhD?
• Types of Doctorates
• Research-based doctoral degrees
• PhD, Ed.D., D.B.A., etc.
• Professional practice doctoral degrees
• M.D., J.D.
• Honorary Doctorates
• Others (depends on national education system)
• PhD is the more common type of doctorate
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13. Why do a PhD?
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14. Why Do a PhD?
• Personal motivation
• To achieve something
• Thirst for new knowledge
• Love for research / Develop research skills
• Looking for a career change
• Seeking an academic career
• Enjoy academic freedom
• Becoming an ‘expert’ in a selected area
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15. Why Do a PhD?
• Institutional factors
• Encouragement / requirement from institution
• Opportunities
• Scholarship
• New institutional opening
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16. Why Do a PhD?
• Benefits of doing a PhD
• Opportunity to pursue something you are
passionate about
• Freedom to explore / push the boundaries of
knowledge
• Opportunities for international travel (presenting
work at conferences and workshops)
• You join the world specialists in your subject area
• Well respected by employers
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17. Why Do a PhD?
• Who does a PhD, and why?
• Those genuinely wanting to enter academia
• Those seeking progress in their career
• Age, socio-economic status, previous examination
results, etc. are not a barrier to seeking a PhD
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18. Why Do a PhD?
• Wrong reasons to do a PhD
• Continuation of Bachelor’s / Master’s degree
• The grandeur of academia
• Fulfilling others’ ambitions
• Avoiding the real world
• Financial gain / Higher income
• Peer pressure
• ‘Easy life’
• Prestige
• A way to impress your family, friends, community,
[potential] spouse, …
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19. Requirements for a PhD
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20. Requirements for a PhD
• What is involved in doing a PhD?
• Generally
• The conduct of a major research project that leads to a
contribution to knowledge
• Requirements may vary
• From country to country, from university to university,
and even between departments
• Some may involve a period of residency, taking certain
courses, passing a comprehensive examination, defense
of proposal, requirements to publish, etc.
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21. Requirements for a PhD
• What is involved in doing a PhD?
• Generally,
• Obtaining admission to a PhD program
• Preparing a research proposal
• Registering for an MPhil / PhD
• [Taking certain courses]
• Conducting a comprehensive literature review
• Conducting the research
• [Completing the MPhil to PhD upgrade]
• Writing your dissertation
• Having the dissertation examined
• Defending your research at an oral viva voce examination
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22. Requirements for Doing a PhD
• What is required to be successful in doing a PhD?
• Good foundation in your subject area
• Knowledge of the research process
• including ethics in research
• Communication skills
• Personal management skills
• time management, prioritization
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23. Requirements for Doing a PhD
• What is required to be successful in doing a PhD?
• Formal requirements
• Academic requirements to enter the PhD program
• Required language skills
• Personal requirements
• Willing to learn new material
• Able to motivate yourself
• Have perseverance - be willing to spend 3 years (more?) on pursuing the PhD
• Can handle challenges and setbacks
• Can take criticism
• Can time management and prioritization skills
• Can take stress mentally and physically
• Private considerations
• Have a stable personal life
• Have support of family / spouse / partner
• Be able to support yourself financially
• Willing to give up some leisure time and socialization 23

24. Considerations in Doing a PhD
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25. Considerations in Doing a PhD
• Factors in successful completion of a PhD
• Success does not come to you; you make it
happen
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• Vision
• Motivation
• Positive attitude
• Commitment
• Awareness
• Planning
• … …
• Implementation
• Flexibility
• Good work habits
• Adequate finances
• People skills
• Support
• … …

26. Considerations in Doing a PhD
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• Factors in successful completion of a PhD
• Personal factors
• Interest
• Attitude
• Sustained motivation
• Discipline
• Prioritization
• Communication skills
• Research experience
• Emotional state
• Finances
• … … …

27. Considerations in Doing a PhD
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• Factors in successful completion of a PhD
• Institutional factors
• University / Departmental requirements
• University environment
• Research environment
• Research topic
• Supervisor / Supervision
• Access to resources (library, labs, technology)
• …

28. Considerations in Doing a PhD
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• Factors in successful completion of a PhD
• Social factors
• Home circumstances
• Family support
• Peer support
• …

29. Considerations in Doing a PhD
• Challenges in doing a PhD
• Often you’ll work very long hours
• You may work alone
• Can sometimes be frustrating
• Ultimately you are responsible for the success of
your project
• A PhD may mean you are over-qualified for some
positions
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30. Considerations in Doing a PhD
• The Experience of doing a PhD
• Many factors go into successful completion
• Motivation, perseverance, ability to work alone,
availability of resources, ability to take criticism, etc.
• Age is not a barrier; neither are past results
Wonderful Frustrating Give up
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31. Should You Do a PhD?
- Self-Assessment
• Am I qualified?
• Easy to answer – yes/no
• Am I ready?
• Difficult to answer; many factors involved
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32. Should You Do a PhD?
- Self-Assessment
• Know yourself
• Do a personal SWOT analysis
• Be clear as to your reasons for wanting to do a PhD
• Do you have the support?
perseverance?
resources?
• Know what it involves – the PhD journey
Ultimately, you have to decide
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33. Resources for Further Information
• Find out as much as you can about the PhD
• Books
• Journals
• Websites
• Blogs
• University that you are aiming for
• Professors
• Alumni
• Current students
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34. Questions?
Comments? Suggestions?
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35. So,
What’s Next?
Yes
I am going to start ….
What’s next?
Yes, but later
I need to ……….. first
No, it is not for me.
I am going to .... instead
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36. Good luck!
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