Doing a PhD is a very challenging process, yet it is very wise investment; it adds much value to one's career and raise their profile. It also improves self-realization. This presentation explains the PhD journey and how to overcome its challenges such as identifying the research topic, research methodology, data collection, data analysis and more important how to deal with your supervisory team. It an abstract of real-life experience.

1. PHD PROCESS AND ITS
CHALLENGES
Dr. Alaa Garad
CEO | Investors in People UAE
Chair | Advisory Board | University of Salford UAE
alaagarad.com 1

2. Agenda
1. What is PhD
2. Why do you want to do a PhD?
3. PhD Process from A to Z
1. Research Approach and Strategy
2. Data Collection
3. Thesis writing
4. Key Challenges
5. Selecting the appropriate research methodology
6. Summary of Learnt Lessons. 2

3. Dr. Alaa Garad
‫د‬.‫جراد‬ ‫عالء‬
• Chair |Advisory Board University of SalfordAbu-Dhabi
• CEO | Investors in People UAE
• Assessor and Juror | ExcellenceAwards UAE and KSA.
• Columnist | Emarat AlYoum
•‫االستشاري‬ ‫المجلس‬ ‫رئيس‬|‫سالفورد‬ ‫جامعة‬‫اإلمارات‬
•‫التنفيذي‬ ‫الرئيس‬|‫البشرية‬ ‫الموارد‬ ‫في‬ ‫المستثمرين‬ ‫مؤسسة‬
•‫والسعودية‬ ‫باإلمارات‬ ‫الجودة‬ ‫جوائز‬ ‫في‬ ‫ومحكم‬ ‫مقيم‬
•‫عمود‬ ‫كاتب‬|‫اليوم‬ ‫اإلمارات‬ ‫جريدة‬
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7. What KeepsYou Busy?
You
Money
Work
Problems
Family
Ambition
(Goals)
Process
Results
People
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8. What is the one thing we all equally
possess?
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9. Value yourTime
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The more you value your time,
The more value it will bring!
A man who dares to
waste one hour
of time, has not
discovered the
value of life.
Charles Darwin

11. A Must Read
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http://www.emaratalyoum.com/opinion/2014-04-21-1.668958

12. So let’s start …
• You want to do PhD ..
• First step is …
•Research topic
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13. How to choose the topic?
1. Relevant to your work/experience.
2. Something you like and can live with for 3-5 years.
3. Consider your employability after getting the PhD.
4. Something adds value
5. Balance complexity with simplicity (Not 10 PhD and not a consultancy project).
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14. Research Proposal
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1. Title page: - your research proposal title and your name etc.
2. Abstract: - 300 words summarising What?Why? and How? you are
proposing to undertake this research.
3. Research Context: - setting out the “research problem” area and what
others have done about it thus far.
4. Research problem statement
5. Research questions.
6. Research aim and SMART objectives:
7. Research Method
8. Research Plan
9. References
http://www.salford.ac.uk/business-school/business-services/centre-for-digital-business/study-at-our-
centre/how-to-write-a-research-proposal#structure

15. TheTwo-minutesTest
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16. Dealing with your supervisory team
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You
Main
Supervisor
Local
Advisor
Co-
Supervisor

17. How to irritate your supervisor:
1. Start the first meeting with taking about data collection methods.
2. Ask how many references you should put in your thesis.
3. Expect him to take decision on your behalf or answer all your questions.
4. Send him a piece of work and ask him after two days if had a chance to go
through it.
5. Call him and if he does not answer keep calling.
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18. alaagarad.com 18Developed by © Alaa Garad

19. Lessons Learnt 1-2
1. Have a dream – a grand vision of your future and work towards your vision.
2. PhD is a massive undertaking and it can often be painful; in order to overcome
these challenges and enjoy the journey, be a ‘reflective practitioner’ open to
learning and let go of your ego and bias.
3. When you choose a topic for your PhD, select one that adds to your knowledge
and practice.
4. Think of your PhD thesis this way: will you be proud of it and keen to show your
work to everyone or would you rather hide it and avoid discussions related to
your research?
5. Be brave and a trailblazer – explore areas that no one has explored before.
alaagarad.com 19Extracted from http://blogs.salford.ac.uk/business-school/how-to-get-a-phd/

20. Lessons Learnt 2-2
6. You cannot love your research journey if you do not have passion for
research and learning.
7. The research journey is the ‘process’ and the ‘product’ at the same time;
so enjoy every station in this journey.
8. Consider it a driver for change in your life, adopt the principles of
scientific approach in your actions and embrace systems thinking.
9. Remember that the only sustainable competitive advantage an
organization or individual can have is learning. So, be calm and continue
to learn.
10. Always be positive and never lose faith.
alaagarad.com 20Extracted from http://blogs.salford.ac.uk/business-school/how-to-get-a-phd/

21. A small body of determined spirits fired by
an unquenchable faith in their mission can
alter the course of the history.
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22. Conclusion
1. learn how to learn!
2. separate noise from signals
3. Have your own learning log.
4. Learning can make the “good” …. great!
5. Learning is the only sustainable competitive advantage an organisation or an
individual can have!
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24. Thank
You!
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@Alaa_Garad
‫اليوم‬ ‫اإلمارات‬ ‫جريدة‬ ‫في‬ ‫مقاالتي‬ ‫لقراءة‬
http://www.emaratalyoum.com/1.664619
Garad@alaagarad.com