2. “Nothing is more powerful than
an idea whose time has come.”
(Victor Hugo, 1802-1885).
“The challenge comes to make
you, not break you.”
(Iyanla Vanzant, 2000).
3. PhD requires:
• Commitment
• Resolve
• Determination
There are
more people in
the world who
would like to
have a PhD
than actually
do one.
Long, difficult process. Almost
invariably fluctuations of
• Mood
• Commitment
• Confidence
• Self-doubt.
Not always a
barrel of
laughs. Lots of
ups and
downs. Putting
life on hold?
PhD
4. Research Proposal
Not just
another
essay
Does need
to
demonstrate
awareness
of the field
Must
identify a
viable area
of research
Should
emphasise
what you
will
contribute
and how
(specific
questions
and how you
will address
them)
Should
anticipate
problems
(e.g. are
there any
ethical
questions?)
It should
convince the
reader (potential
supervisor,
funding body
etc) that there is
a feasible
project, that is
interesting and
that you are a
suitable person
to do it.
5. Try to practical. You don’t have to have cast iron
guarantees but you just need to show that you are
thinking about the practicalities.
Take criticism and act on it immediately
Know your possible ‘targets’- know their deadlines,
rules and requirements
Keep the faith- by all means be pragmatic but
don’t be cynical or merely instrumental.
6. “A journey of a thousand miles
starts with a single step.”
(Lao Tzu [born 604 BC], Tao Te Ching,
Verse 64).
Issues in getting started.
The ‘give it one hour’ technique.
Value of starting in ‘Materials and
Methods.’
Keep going: the value of persistence.
8. ‘Publish or be damned.’
Value of paper(s) in
thesis: impress examiners.
Publication as a guarantee
of quality.
Ph.D. by publication: the
‘Dutch model’.
Publication compulsory in
some Universities.
Value for professional
posts.
9. “Let me tell you the
secret that has led
me to my goal. My
strength lies solely
in my tenacity.”
(Louis Pasteur, 1822-
1895).
10. Journal Selection
Be clear on your audience.
SCI and impact factors: have a
journal strategy and
‘pecking order.’
11. Drafting
‘Polish, polish, polish.’
Value of ‘time gaps’.
Get critical evaluation:
supervisor(s), colleagues.
Paper format: get information,
copy of paper, web site.
The importance of proof reading.
12. Paper submission
The refereeing process.
‘Accepted subject to revision’:
the value of critical review(s).
Coping with rejection.
13. Further information
Tomislav Hengl and Mike Gould (2006). The Unofficial Guide
for Authors (or How to Produce Research Articles Worth
Publishing).
EUR 22191 EN, Office for Official Publications of the European
Communities, Luxembourg, 54 pp. (ISBN: 92-79-01703-9):
http://eusoils.jrc.it/ESDB_Archive/eusoils_docs/other/EUR22191.pdf
14. “Never give in. Never,
never, never, never.”
(Sir Winston Churchill, speech to
Harrow School, 29 October 1941).
15. ‘Publish or be perished’
Academic norm in university career.
New findings in one’s chosen specialty.
Teaching and research go hand in hand.
Performance measure of staff & institutes.
Recognition for research funding.
Recognition for research uniqueness.
Recognition for business/industrial liaison.
Recognition for government consultation.
