Planning Your Postgraduate Research

This comprehensive and easy-to-use book supports postgraduate researchers in the early stages of their project. Written in an engaging and accessible style, it helps readers to clarify what they want to research and how to conduct that research. Each chapter covers a key stage in the process, from selecting an appropriate research topic and developing a working research question through to assimilating and evaluating relevant literature. It then guides researchers through the process of writing a literature review, selecting a research methodology and creating a research proposal. This invaluable guide is ideal for PhD and Masters students alike and will equip them with the skills needed to get their research project underway.

This lively and rigorous book provides guidance on planning and conducting postgraduate research. Divided into four parts, each of which looks at a different stage of the process, it covers everything from choosing a research area and selecting appropriate methodologies to analysing data and learning from feedback. Chapters contain both active and reflective tasks to help readers develop the skills needed to produce a high-quality dissertation or thesis and offer supportive advice on establishing successful working relationships with supervisors and peers. Clear and accessible in its approach, this book is an indispensable introduction to successful research for postgraduates of all disciplines. New to this Edition: - Fully revised and improved sections on methodology, theorising, engaging with the literature and life after research - Additional guidance on developing soft skills, such as communication and time management, and becoming an active member of the academic community

This highly practical guide provides information that will help research students avoid needless mistakes. It informs and advises you about many of the important facets of postgraduate research, including: what it means to conduct research at doctoral level the requirements for independence, contribution to knowledge, originality and suitability for publication planning a research project over a period of time responsible research practice criteria used in the examination of a PhD. Getting a PhD is an essential handbook for PhD students and provides plenty of useful advice for Masters students or undergraduates conducting a research project.

This comprehensive and easy-to-use book supports postgraduate researchers in the early stages of their project. Written in an engaging and accessible style, it helps readers to clarify what they want to research and how to conduct that research. Each chapter covers a key stage in the process, from selecting an appropriate research topic and developing a working research question through to assimilating and evaluating relevant literature. It then guides researchers through the process of writing a literature review, selecting a research methodology and creating a research proposal. This invaluable guide is ideal for PhD and Masters students alike and will equip them with the skills needed to get their research project underway

Accessible, insightful and a must-have toolkit for all final year doctoral students, the founders of the ‘Thesis Boot Camp’ intensive writing programme show how to survive and thrive through the challenging final year of writing and submitting a thesis. Drawing on an understanding of the intellectual, professional, practical and personal elements of the doctorate to help readers gain insight into what it means to finish a PhD and how to get there, this book covers the common challenges and ways to resolve them. It includes advice on: Project management skills to plan, track, iterate and report on the complex task of bringing a multi-year research project to a successful close Personal effectiveness and self-care to support students to thrive in body, mind and relationships, including challenging supervisor relationships. The successful ‘generative’ writing processes which get writers into the zone and producing thousands of words; and then provides the skills to structure and polish those words to publishable quality. What it means to survive a PhD and consider multiple possible futures. Written for students in all disciplines, and relevant to university systems around the world, this unique book expertly guides students through the final 6–12 months of the thesis. The 'Insider Guides to Success in Academia' offers support and practical advice to doctoral students and early-career researchers. Covering the topics that really matter, but which often get overlooked, this indispensable series provides practical and realistic guidance to address many of the needs and challenges of trying to operate, and remain, in academia. These neat pocket guides fill specific and significant gaps in current literature. Each book offers insider perspectives on the often implicit rules of the game -- the things you need to know but usually aren't told by institutional postgraduate support, researcher development units, or supervisors -- and will address a practical topic that is key to career progression. They are essential reading for doctoral students, early-career researchers, supervisors, mentors, or anyone looking to launch or maintain their career in academia.

You need a plan. A PhD can be overwhelming. There's so much to do and organise. How do you know if you're doing enough? Where do you start? Start by reading this book. This book has grown out of the very successful course, Planning Your PhD, which has helped thousands of students take control of their PhDs and finish on time. Here, you'll find all the tools you'll ever need to successfully manage your PhD. You will learn how to:  develop your master plan  use tools for planning each six month period, each week and each day  estimate how long things will take and set realistic deadlines  create Gantt charts  use meeting agendas  take meeting notes  analyse the risks in your project  plan your finances  troubleshoot your PhD Download templates for all these tools and customise them for your PhD.

'Offers a practical and helpful guidebook both for students and supervisors. It is recommended for research students at the early stages of their research studies, because it provides a thought-provoking account of the different aspects of post-graduate research. Additionally, it can be a useful tool and resource pack for advanced research students who want to think about viva and career options after the completion of the PhD...a useful addition to the growing literature of books on post-graduate research. It provides not only a helpful reading but also a complete multimedia resource pack for new and more-advanced students and supervisors.' - Educate Journal The prospect of undertaking postgraduate research can seem daunting. This thoroughly revised Second Edition of Doing Postgraduate Research will show you how to undertake your research better, quicker, and with as little hassle as possible. The text offers an authoritative and comprehensive guide to better research practice and is fully compliant with research training requirements, including the Joint Research Councils' Skills Statement. Doing Postgraduate Research will enable you to acquire research methods skills as you proceed through your Masters or PhD programme. Key topics include: Designing and organizing a research project Understanding alternative research perspectives Doing a literature review Academic writing IPR and Ethics in research Research presentations Preparing for a viva Career development. Activities are used throughout the book to link the material to student's own research projects, encouraging practical `training by doing'. The book comes with a DVD and website which illustrate key features of the research process, and provide further reading and a guide to additional resources. Visit the companion website at www.sagepub.co.uk/potter Doing Postgraduate Research is an invaluable tool for students, supervisors, and all with research training responsibilities. SAGE Study Skills are essential study guides for students of all levels. From how to write great essays and succeeding at university, to writing your undergraduate dissertation and doing postgraduate research, SAGE Study Skills help you get the best from your time at university. Visit the SAGE Study Skills website for tips, quizzes and videos on study success!

In Postgraduate Research in Business, Sarah Quinton and Teresa Smallbone provide a vital introduction to the research process and the thinking and learning skills needed to successfully complete postgraduate research. In step-by-step terms, the authors detail the 'tools of the trade' - the practical and the intellectual skills - that underpin the study of Business and Management, from research skills and project planning to strategies for reading, writing, and presentation.