How to Research & Write a Successful PhD

Jonathan Weyers and Kathleen McMillan both work at the University of Dundee. Both have been teaching and lecturing for over 25 years and latterly have specialised in the transferable skills area. They have a track record of collaborative writing and achievement in this area.

• Introduction 1. Taking on postgraduate studies - preliminary considerations 2. Principles of postgraduateness – how to approach study at this new level  Getting started   3. Identifying and framing research questions – how to set targets and formulate hypotheses 4.    Writing a proposal or research plan – how to outline your approach to postgraduate study  Key research skills 5. Developing as a researcher – appraising your skills and gaining proficiency 6. Planning and time management – how to complete your research and write up on time7. Information literacy for PhD study – how to find relevant source material8. Accessing content from the literature - how to read and evaluate research publications9. Organising research materials – how to collect and file information and details of references  Interactions with others during a research programme 10.  Student-supervisor relationships – how to make the most of this important collaboration 11.  Dealing with the highs and lows of being a postgraduate – how to respond positively to events and feelings12.  Working in a research team – how to balance research cooperation and autonomy13.  Teaching as a postgraduate – how to make the most of opportunities to tutor, demonstrate and lecture14.  Giving a research seminar or paper – how to deliver an effective spoken presentation15.  Preparing and presenting a poster – how to summarise and communicate your findings 16.  Being appraised – how to respond to progress monitoring and other feedback on your work  Research Methods 17.  Critical thinking – how to apply method to arrive at valid, original ideas18.  Arriving at a position and supporting it – how to sift fact and opinion and express your conclusions19.  Research ethics and safety – how to conduct an appropriate, principled and safe investigation20.  Referencing, citing and avoiding plagiarism – how to refer appropriately to the results and ideas of others 21.  Interpreting and presenting data – how to understand and produce graphs, tables and basic statistics22.  Aspects of qualitative research – how to obtain and analyse non-numerical information23.  Aspects of quantitative research – how to obtain and analyse numerical data24.  Experiments and field studies – how to design and conduct lab and field investigations  Writing up your research 25.  Links between research, writing and speaking – how to gain from the interactions between investigation, communication and thought26.  The nature of scholarly writing - how to produce formal writing at PhD level27.  Scholarly writing style – how to construct effective academic text28.  Elements of a thesis – how to write up the different sections29.  Becoming an autonomous writer – how to take control of the writing process30.  Thesis presentation – how to submit your work in the appropriate manner  Examination and beyond 31.  The PhD viva – how to prepare for and perform in your oral exam32.  Publishing your research – how to write and submit a successful paper 33.  After your doctorate – how to make appropriate use of your qualification