Challenges and Issues in PhD Challenges and Issues in PhD ResearchResearch

With With Prof. Mohamed Sulaiman,Prof. Mohamed Sulaiman,School of ManagementSchool of Management

USMUSM

Common Complaints by ExaminersCommon Complaints by ExaminersResearch gaps not clearly identifiedResearch gaps not clearly identifiedResearch significance in doubtResearch significance in doubtResearch problem not clearResearch problem not clearSubject of research not of current interestSubject of research not of current interestUnderlying theory not appropriateUnderlying theory not appropriateLiterature not exhaustive, current, Literature not exhaustive, current, coherentcoherentLocal literature not reviewedLocal literature not reviewedLiterature review not critical enoughLiterature review not critical enough

Common Complaints (cont.)Common Complaints (cont.)Seminal works in literature not includedSeminal works in literature not includedRelated theories left outRelated theories left outResearch design – quantitative, qualitative, experimental Research design – quantitative, qualitative, experimental design - justificationdesign - justificationLink between literature and research framework not strongLink between literature and research framework not strongTheoretical support for the research framework is weakTheoretical support for the research framework is weakLink between phenomenon under study and dependent Link between phenomenon under study and dependent variablevariableDefinition of variables, why these variablesDefinition of variables, why these variablesFactors to explain phenomenon and how they are Factors to explain phenomenon and how they are operationalizedoperationalizedMeasurements of variablesMeasurements of variablesHypothesis, too general, not directed, not testableHypothesis, too general, not directed, not testable

Common Complaints (cont.)Common Complaints (cont.)Unit of analysis not clear, not Unit of analysis not clear, not appropriateappropriateBias in samplingBias in samplingCredibility of respondents/dataCredibility of respondents/dataCoding, integrating, analysis of dataCoding, integrating, analysis of dataStatistical tools not appropriateStatistical tools not appropriateInterpretation of resultsInterpretation of resultsPresentation of resultsPresentation of results

Common Complaints (cont.)Common Complaints (cont.)Discussion not in depthDiscussion not in depthImplications for theory not clear, not related to Implications for theory not clear, not related to research resultsresearch resultsImplications for practice not clear, not related to Implications for practice not clear, not related to resultsresultsLimitations not clearly spelt outLimitations not clearly spelt outConclusions too skimpyConclusions too skimpyMissing references in bibliographyMissing references in bibliographyStandard of language, grammar, spelling, Standard of language, grammar, spelling, sentence structuresentence structureAbstract too long, not summarizing study Abstract too long, not summarizing study accuratelyaccuratelyTitle not reflecting contents of thesisTitle not reflecting contents of thesis

Let’s get to the basicsLet’s get to the basics(How do you get a PhD?)(How do you get a PhD?)

Why do we do research?Why do we do research?

How do we get knowledge?How do we get knowledge?

Use of Scientific MethodUse of Scientific Method

What level of knowledge is worthy of PhD?What level of knowledge is worthy of PhD?

What is meant by significant contribution?What is meant by significant contribution?

PhD evaluation processPhD evaluation process

Supervisor-student relations Supervisor-student relations

The Research ProcessThe Research ProcessLiterature Literature ----------Real world Real world

Gaps in theoryGaps in theory---- Gaps in practice Gaps in practice

Research problemResearch problem

Research questions, research objectivesResearch questions, research objectives

Research framework, research designResearch framework, research design

Variables and measurementsVariables and measurements

Hypothesis statementsHypothesis statements

Population, sample, respondentsPopulation, sample, respondents

The Research Process (cont.)The Research Process (cont.)

Research instrumentsResearch instruments

Data collectionData collection

Data analysis, results Data analysis, results

Discussions & conclusionsDiscussions & conclusions

IssuesIssues

Scientific method – robustness, Scientific method – robustness, honesty and integrityhonesty and integrity

Ethical issues –questions asked, info. Ethical issues –questions asked, info. DisclosureDisclosure

PlagiarismPlagiarism

Keys to SuccessKeys to SuccessHard work (reading) and sacrifice (collect Hard work (reading) and sacrifice (collect material, money and time)material, money and time)

Critical thinking (analysis) and creativity Critical thinking (analysis) and creativity (synthesis)(synthesis)

Networking (colleagues and friends)Networking (colleagues and friends)

Support from supervisor and schoolSupport from supervisor and school

Support from familySupport from family

Personal motivation and perseverancePersonal motivation and perseverance

Self confidence and language proficiencySelf confidence and language proficiency

Q & AQ & A

Time to help release your pent-up Time to help release your pent-up tensionstensions

I Wish You All Success in Your I Wish You All Success in Your Quest for PhD and Future CareerQuest for PhD and Future Career

Thank YouThank You