Completing Your PhD

Concise and well-presented, this guide will be invaluable to any PhD student seeking to successfully complete their thesis. Based on students' direct experiences, topics include developing your argument, planning your time, editing, what examiners are looking for, talking about your research, and the viva.

KATE WILLIAMS manages Upgrade, the Study Advice Service at Oxford Brookes University, UK. She has worked with students from Foundation to PhD level and has written a range of books and materials on study skills. She is the Pocket Study Skills series editor.

EMILY BETHELL completed her interdisciplinary PhD in Biology, Anthropology and Psychology in 2009 and now works as a Senior Lecturer in Primatology and Animal Behaviour at Liverpool John Moores University, UK.
 
JUDITH LAWTON works as an English as an Additional Language adviser and is former Deputy Head of Hounslow EAL Service.  She has undertaken doctoral research in bilingual learner education and has 40 years of experience in teaching and teacher training.
 
CLARE PARFITT-BROWN is a Senior Lecturer in Dance at the University of Chichester, UK.  Her PhD focused on the history of the cancan and led to ongoing research into the cultural histories of popular dance practices.

MARY RICHARDSON completed an ESRC-funded PhD investigating the assessment of Citizenship Education in 2008.  She is now a Senior Lecturer in Education at Froebel College, Roehampton University, UK and continues to develop research in the areas of both assessment and citizenship education.
 
VICTORIA ROWE worked as a piano teacher for many years prior to completing her PhD in 2008.  She is currently a Teaching Associate at the University of Sheffield, UK and also works as a freelance researcher.

Introduction
PART 1: THE ROAD TO COMPLETION
The Research Sequence/Process
Looking Ahead to Your Viva: Justifying Your Research
Doing Research: Focus on Methodology and Limiations
Developing Your Argument
Becoming an Expert / Making a Contribution
Planning the Process: Timeline / Action Plan
PART 2: WRITING ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH
Why Write?
Writing in Different Disciplines
Writing for Different Audiences
PART 3: WRITING YOUR THESIS
What are the Examiners Looking For?
(Evolving) Chapter Structures
• Introduction / Conclusion
• Revising and Editing
• Practicalities / Requirements
• Writing the Abstract – Your Showcase
• Using the Time Between Submission and Viva
PART 4: TALKING ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH
Introduction
Talking informally
Talking as Part of the Process: Supervisors / Other PhD Students, Undergraduates, Staff
Talking Formally – Presenting your Argument: Departmental Presentations
Presenting / Defending Your Thesis: Presentations, Conferences, Poster Presentations
PART 5: THE VIVA
Viva Dynamics
Preparing for your Viva
Viva Performance
Outcomes
PART 6: ENDNOTES...AND AFTER
Becoming an Expert / Doctor
Electronic Registration – Keywords
What Next? Book? Articles?
Index