I am enrolled in a fully funded PhD program. And pursuing my PhD from Ohio State University. I am in my first year and facing problems in deciding a proper research topic, our guide has given us a task of coming up with 5 fresh topics on which we can work on and for which […]
Continue reading Difficulty in choosing a Research Topic
Just a few days ago, I read a blog by a student from Walden University sharing his experience of being a research student. He scared the hell out of me saying that thesis defense is probably one of the toughest and challenging tasks if compared to other milestones in research. And every 10 out 50 […]
Continue reading What exactly happens during a thesis defense?
Without scaring you any further, I would clearly confirm that yes thesis defense is actually the toughest challenges during our research. Here in UK (I pursued my PhD in law from University of Southampton ), we usually have two vivas – one with an internal examiner and another with an external one. I am not sure whether the same format is followed in other universities or not. So, make sure you are well acquainted with the format of thesis defense in your university. It usually lasts between 30 mins to 45 mins. Do not over exceed this time limit. As your panel would have already read your thesis by this time, they wouldn’t be interested in a word by word reading session of your thesis. They would basically want a concise overview. You will have to justify your research and result findings in a Thesis Defense. No need to act defensive. Maintain a calm and neutral composure – Be confident and not arrogant. Good Luck! You would Do Well!
It happens to every PhD student. When I was at your place, I was guided well by my seniors. Before appearing for the defense, make sure you have read your thesis word by word thoroughly. Keep yourself well informed with all the aspects of your research. Prepare in advance for potential questions your panel might ask and come up with up convincing answers or counter questions. Your slide presentation should work perfectly without any glaring errors. Do have appropriate illustrations. Speak well because your panel would judge you on that too. Avoid any grammatical mistakes and speak in a formal tone – no slangs permitted. At the end, note down all the comments suggestions of your panel and revise your thesis accordingly. If research life is your vocation, thesis defense is not a big issue. So, make research your passion and you would automatically do well. Hope I answered well!
I won’t lie to you. Thesis defense is actually a difficult task. It totally depends on your performance, how confidently you present your presentation and how thoroughly you are versed with your concepts. Just keep the following points in your mind while presenting, do not panic, go through your research work properly, do not give the external reviewers a chance to point out questions that you will not be able to answer. I hope you will do well and all the best.
Hi, hope you are doing well. I’ll keep my suggestion small and simple. Thesis defense is a nerve wracking task and take a lot of time to prepare it, but it is not an impossible one. Different universities have different ways of conducting it and accordingly the rules are designed. But one thing is common, you are given 30-45 minutes of time to present your whole research work and followed by question and answer round, where all the professors from different departments and external professors asks questions about your work.And if you are not able to answer it, then you are in trouble. But this situation will arise when you are not fully prepared. I would suggest, make your presentation interesting with graphics and present it with full enthusiasm. Nobody will dare to give you low marks. All the best pal.
Can someone recommend me the tricks or techniques to crack GD of MBA? Only 2 weeks left and I don’t think I’m well prepared. HELP!
It doesn’t matter. If you think smooth talking is all examiners look for then you are wrong. Priority is given to the ones who talk sensibly and logically.
You still have got two weeks; utilize them in a proper manner. Study relevant topics thoroughly, train your mind to think, analyze and then talk. Writing essays can actually give your thought process a structure.
Yeah, I practice to speak in front of mirror but don’t know why, how, and when I begin stumbling. I’m really getting sick of this.
First of all, stay focused and try to frame arguments standing in front of the mirror which will boost your confidence. Don’t just go ranting about anything randomly which may seem out of context.
I have been officially tagged with the unofficial term ABD, as it has been more than 5 years of my PhD with no scope of completing the dissertation. I have completely lost my focus due to my priorities of resolving the issues of my life. And now I just see it as something which is […]
Continue reading How to get out of ABD status?
One thing I can say is that you are not alone! It usually takes time to write a dissertation and 5 years is not that bad actually. The thing with ABD is that life takes over the studies and you no longer have time to complete your dissertation, and so you get stuck. While I am still doing my PhD, my brother went through something around the similar lines. Not many people will agree on a social site but taking professional help is the most safest and effective option. I am attaching a link to a website from where I got editing done for my research paper. You can go through their site and this blog, which might help you out.
http://www.dissertationcanada.com/blog/abd-get-over-abd-with-our-services/
Well, to cross ABD status, you should participate in dissertation workshops with motivational strategies, group discussions and seminars organised by various institutes. These workshops provide you with expert and professional advice on how to go about your research. They can help you understand what you are missing. And as far is writing is concerned, you can join a writing centre for that and trust me, there are tons of them around.
Thank you for the replies. Taking professional help is my last option, but before I would like to try the writing centres.
@dianafreeh: Do these centres offer online help? And can you please share with me the list of good writing centres?
Yes they do. There are online writing centres. I am sharing a link to a website where you will find a list of 100 resources. Though the list comprises of other academic resources, most of them are writing centres, top ones. You can select the centres from this list, and then go to their website, talk to them and see how that works. Good luck.
Hello Friends. I have been feeling demotivated lately. I am in my second year of PhD and have just decided my methods for conducting my research (I am not sure if I am lagging behind or not). My supervisor is okay, he doesn’t bother himself much. I am someone who always works on the edge, […]
Continue reading Second Year PhD Blues
I can understand that you are a person who loves challenges and is confident to handle situations but Ph. D. is not a game, it’s a life changing opportunity which can turn you from a waitress to a highly renowned academician. It’s your second year and you have just decided your methods. I don’t want to scare you but it’s a piece of advice that you need to gear up and not drag it further. Try to hold yourself and spend more time in completing your research work. You can attend some conferences or try to write a journal paper maybe? That will be a bit different and an added point to your research.
I think that feeling demotivated is the most normal thing in a PhD. I get these waves of laziness and boredom that I can’t concentrate on anything. What I do is “let it be”! I go to the gym, eat lots of hamburgers and chill out at my place. Then when I feel energized, I sit on my favourite spot and carry out my work. The key to this second year PhD blues is – not thinking about it. Don’t think that something is wrong with you and it’ll be okay when this thing turns out its course.
Thank you for your replies, I really appreciate that. Thank god I am not alone, but still don’t know what to do. My head can’t seem to let it go, or gear up, as a matter of fact. Also, my professor is a real pain and keeps bothering me with asking for updates, which is a no-show. So, what should I do, go to a psychiatrist?
P.S. To top it all, my supervisor rejected the methods which I had decided to work on.
Hi Jorja! I think more than a psychiatrist you need a consultant who will better help you in your drenched situation. You are already occupied with lots of work and there’s no point in being further depressed. As your supervisor has already rejected your methods there is no point in wasting more time .I’ll suggest you to check out with some educational consultants who can help you out with your research. You can check out with http://ukdissertations.in/writing.html
I took their help in preparing my research paper and I must say that their subject experts will help you to gain conceptual clarity and further resort all your worries.
Thank you Jillian for providing me with the link of PhD consultants. I checked their reviews and testimonials, which are mostly good, so I have left a query on their website. Lets see how that goes. But, for the time being, can you tell me more about them? Their process and charges? Their turn-around time?
Hi Jorja! Like all other PhD consultant services they have customized rates which entirely depends upon the kind of work which you want them to do. As for my case, I had the requirement of scientific editing of my paper and they charged me reasonably. It basically depends upon the word count, your research area and deadline as well. As far as the quality of work is concerned, I found them comparatively better than the other available services but you can still hunt for some more. I would say that the best part of their services is on time delivery of work and I suggest you clear all your doubts by contacting them.
Hey, I wanted to post that I have been in contact with the consultants. The subject matter experts are helping me in finalising the research methods. They presented me with a draft that I showed to my supervisor, who is still not okay with it. So, I have sent the draft for further corrections to the consultants. They seem determined to help me out. I’ll keep updating the progress. Thanks Jorja, for your help.
So this is surely an update, a wonderful one actually. Finally after two corrections, the methods are accepted, and the work is in progress. I am really in love with the idea for seeking help with the consultants. And I am going to work with them now and hope that it goes the right way down.
Hypotheses are an assumption, assertion or an idea about a phenomenon or situation, the truth of which is dependent upon the results of your study. The verification process, i.e. the study can have one of the following outcomes: True Partially true, or False The hypotheses formulation brings a focused study, thereby giving you a direction […]
Continue reading Role of Hypotheses Inscription of a dissertation is a very long journey, and devoid of an expert assistance, any researcher will face great deals of difficulties regarding building the theoretical framework, finalizing the methodologies, collection and analysis of data, etc. Therefore, a mentor is required for guidance. Even if the mentor is sitting at the different part of […]
Continue reading Need for Expert Assistance
Expert assistance can substantially improve your research quality. And, you also get systematic guidance on how to step ahead.
Expert advice really improves the chances of making an impressive thesis.
Yes it is always good to take advice form experienced people as they’ll be much more aware of the current requirements.
To get the experts advice one can go for peer reviews
Yes peer review is really a good thing to opt. Even got my thesis peer reviewed and got some really good suggestions.
Whether you are writing a dissertation for your Masters-level course or PhD degree, it can turn into a jackpot if you choose the right dissertation topic that can be value in the future when you plan to enter a relevant industry or profession. If you have plans to go for a specific career, then your […]
Continue reading How a Good Dissertation Topic Supports Career Goals
You said it so right Robert! Career hugely depends on your research. I remember my first interview; the panel was so much impressed with my approach and attitute towards conducting. I guess my dissertation was the only reason, I’m working as a research analyst now!
Yes absolutely correct! Topic is the very first thing the guide or an evaluator come across to, so it needs to be really impressive and new.
Topic selection should be done keeping n mind your interest areas and the freshness of the topic.
Yes right freshness really matters a lot. I remember my days, how much worried I used to be regarding the topic selection
Not only freshness the knowledge of topic also matters.
The Introduction is the first chapter of a dissertation and provides a snippet view of the work that is to come in the following pages. Its work is to whet the curiosity of the reader and keep set the standard for the work presented further into the document. Moreover, reviewer usually works on a tight […]
Continue reading How to Write a Dissertation Introduction
I’m facing a lot of trouble in cutting short my intro chapter to 2 pages from 5. Is it necessary to make it 2 pages?
The tips by you are quite useful.
Writing Introduction is one of the most important step of writing a dissertation. If we fail to write a good introduction, we will not be able to impress the evaluator
Introduction helps in making a good impression of the dissertation on an evaluator
Yes right if the reader will find the introduction interesting he will be keen to read further.
One simple way to write a good dissertation can be writing it at the end.
The Introduction Chapter: This should be around 200-300 words and no more than 2 pages in your dissertation. It must reflect all the contents that your dissertation contains and raise questions that your dissertation will answer in the following chapters. Make a few important words bold and italics to add importance to the keywords. The […]
Continue reading Some Important Chapters You Must Not Overlook In Your Dissertation
I am finding trouble in writing the Conclusion part of the dissertation. Can somebody tell me what should be the approximate length of the conclusion chapter?
There is no specific length for the conclusion. It depends on your dissertation. But, one thing you must keep in mind is that your conclusion should state everything briefly so that it is easy for the readers.
Thanks Aaron. I got it.
Research Methodology was the chapter to do for me. But became quite easy with the help of my mentor.
Yes even i found it the toughest! Did a lot of rework.
I faced problem in Data Analysis as I am pretty weak at calculations.
Yes Even Think that Data Analysis is the toughest and most time consuming part of a thesis.
Divyank Pathik 7:11 am on September 21, 2017 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I am currently studying in Yale school of Public Health. I came across your question and knew I could help you out. So here is a link to my Graduate School’s website – https://publichealth.yale.edu/emd/curriculum/mph/theses.aspx . Exactly what you are looking for! Hope it will help you out.
Mansi Singh 7:09 am on September 25, 2017 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hey there! Try to narrow down your research. Just zero in whether you want to research on microbial diseases affecting plants, animals or humans. Pick one out of them and then read relevant research papers in that field. Bar anything unrelated to your field. In this way, you will find it easier to pick a research gap. Next step is to come up with research topics in that gap – decide upon something which is both viable and interests you. Its simple!
Rosaline Frankie 7:13 am on September 30, 2017 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Only your guide can help you out with the topics. If you are unable to find a viable topic on your own then at least get a rough idea of what might interest you. For this, browse through the journals of microbial diseases. Here I found one https://www.omicsonline.org/clinical-infectious-diseases-practice.php. See if you find anything relevant here. You need to study a lot and then only will be able to get started with topic selection.
Fredrik Jones 7:15 am on October 3, 2017 Permalink | Log in to Reply
You can seek assistance from https://www.fivevidya.com/topic-and-research-proposal.php. I sought help from them and they gave me four research topics. I chose one of them which i got approved by the advisor. Now preparing research proposal with their help.