I am working with a new PhD student, as a co-supervisor. He is just starting out, and recently emailed us with a slightly panicked email about what title he should have for his PhD? He sent a few ideas, wondering if they were too broad or too narrow or off-topic. My first response was to … Continue reading Finding a problem to solve: searching for your doctoral thesis
Category: proposals
The relationship between your research question and your argument
In the last post I wrote about research problems, and working out one that is the right size and shape for the scope of your project and level of study. In this post, I want to go a step further, and reflect a little on research questions, and the relationship between your research questions and your … Continue reading The relationship between your research question and your argument
Research problems: too big, too small or just right?
I have been working, in recent weeks, with two groups of postgraduate students working on research proposals. These workshops were planned specifically to assist these students with clarifying their research problem, research questions and potential argument. This is turning out to be a little tougher than I thought it would be. There seem, right now, … Continue reading Research problems: too big, too small or just right?
Clarifying the murky mess of proposal writing
We have recently had a swimming pool built or put in, or whatever the correct verb is. Maintaining a swimming pool is hard work. There are all these different, fiddly things that have to be in alignment or balance to ensure that the water is clear, sparkling and appealing to swim in. There's the pH, … Continue reading Clarifying the murky mess of proposal writing
Moving from your proposal to chapter the first
You have written a proposal that has been approved, possibly revised a few times, and now you have been given the green light to get going and do the doctorate. This is an exciting moment in a doctoral candidate's life, and one that brings both relief and feelings of 'uh oh, now what?' with it. … Continue reading Moving from your proposal to chapter the first
