Pursuing A Dream PhD

Dr. Naveed Afzal

“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).

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

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.

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.

“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.

Developing a Research Publication Strategy and Profile.

‘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.

“Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely

in my tenacity.”

(Louis Pasteur, 1822-1895).

Journal Selection

Be clear on your audience.SCI and impact factors: have a

journal strategy and ‘pecking order.’

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.

Paper submission

The refereeing process.‘Accepted subject to revision’: the value of critical review(s).

Coping with rejection.

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

“Never give in. Never, never, never, never.”

(Sir Winston Churchill, speech to Harrow School, 29 October 1941).

‘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.

Take Home Message

Publication strategy needs:

Competence

ConfidenceCompassion

Competition

Thank you for attending this Workshop