Category Archives: doctoral research

a doctorate at a distance – take two

Posted on April 13, 2017 by

Thinking back on my own doctorate by distance I can see that there were some key things that helped in the process. Of course, what worked for me won’t necessarily work for you – we are different people, and there … Continue reading →

Posted in doctoral research by distance, office, PhD by distance, supervisor, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

a doctorate at a distance – take one

Posted on March 30, 2017 by

I did my PhD by distance education. This wasn’t terribly common at the time I did it – but it wasn’t all that unusual in universities that specialised in catering for remote, working or part-time students. However, the doctorate at a distance is … Continue reading →

Posted in doctoral research by distance, PhD, PhD by distance, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

why do doctoral researchers blog?

Posted on December 10, 2015 by

Today Inger Mewburn, Thesis Whisperer, and I presented the first cut from the survey we did – with your help – on PhD blogging. As yet, we don’t know whether we are going end up with a book chapter, or one or … Continue reading →

Posted in academic blogging, doctoral experience, doctoral research | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

starting the PhD – don’t panic

Posted on October 19, 2015 by

I was sitting in my office the other day talking with a beginning PhDer. A nearly-finished doctor popped her head around the door. I asked her what advice she would give someone just starting out on their doctorate, and her … Continue reading →

Posted in data, doctoral research, literature review, panic, questions, research question, thesis | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

reflecting on PhD learning

Posted on December 11, 2014 by

Some supervisors ask the doctoral researchers they work with to formally reflect on their learning. A what-am-I-learning conversation might be a regular part of supervision. Reflection is also often self initiated – ongoing thoughts are recorded in a doctoral researcher journal … Continue reading →

Posted in doctoral research, text work/identity work, thesis, viva | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

should doctoral researchers blog?

Posted on September 15, 2014 by

I often get asked about the pros and cons of doctoral researchers blogging, and I know other colleagues do too. There isn’t a right or wrong answer to the question of course, it’s always an “It depends”. But here’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in academic blogging, doctoral research, networking, plagiarism, publications | Tagged , , , , , | 27 Comments

handing in the PhD – yes, it’s a checklist!!

Posted on August 28, 2014 by

There’s nothing quite like the countdown to handing in the PhD. Puff pant, puff pant. I think I can, I think I can. But…. On the one hand, you may be absolutely sick of the sight of the text and … Continue reading →

Posted in doctoral research, drafting, examiner, revision | Tagged , , | 13 Comments