Tips for the starting out dissertator


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Tips for the Starting-Out Dissertator

I was going through some old PhD working papers recently, and found this list of tips. I wrote it eight months into my twelve-month qualifying program.

Let me explain that. In order to be accepted into a PhD program, I had to show that I was capable of doing and reporting research. Hence, I enrolled in a “qualifying program” which consisted of doing research on a smallish topic, and writing up the results. It was the equivalent of an Honours thesis (which I had never done, hence the requirement to do it this way), except it was a full year program (most Honours theses, in my experience, in reality take six months). My potential supervisor did not know if I could do research at the level required of a doctorate, but graciously allowed me to do this program anyway, to prove it one way or the other.

These tips were written under the heading: What I've Learnt So Far

get agreements with supervisor in writing, and signed and dated
have regular meetings with supervisor to show progress or lack thereof
define topic
write methodology and refine as necessary
write what evidence would be expected if hypothesis is correct
keep a work diary—write up everything that happens, decisions, problems, plans
have alternate plans in case research reaches a dead end
work out and stick to a timetable
be assertive with supervisor
manage the relationship with the supervisor, don't expect him/her to manage it.

All these tips are equally relevant to honours, masters and doctoral degrees. If I was doing my PhD again, I would type up these tips, frame them, and put them on the wall above my work desk. I would also laminate them and put them around the house: the bedroom mirror, the bathroom mirror, the fridge, the back of the toilet door. In other words, I would keep them in the forefront of my brain at all times. They are important.

By the way, I proved that I could do research at doctoral level. I got the PhD!

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