How to do a PhD?

elisebutt65

Wow, Thanks everyone!!!

So do I need to apply for funding given that the post(s) is fully funded --states 12,500 + fees covered??

I've been emailing supervisor and had reply, he's now directed me to admin to go through application process. I've got academic referees lined up - My final year and dissertation tutor from last year. Haven't worked since starting studies 5 years ago and most of that isn't relevant in my chosen field anyway but I'll also have my present teaching mentor anyway.

How big should a research proposal be? I've got around 500 words down already. It's nothing hugely exciting but it is original as not many people, apart from aforementioned supervisor, have done much in the field yet - major problem last year as I was doing my 1st dissertation on it - LOL

Will I be able to work part time whilst I'm doing it, as the college I'm currently teaching at want me to come and work for them when I've finished my placement. It's not hugely challenging but at £24/hour, will put food in the kids mouths.

As for actually doing it - I love the idea of being able to get on and do it unsupervised - access to the books and journals is like a dream for me - or am i just a saddo?????:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:My body clock is now well used to me getting up early to get kids sorted out, kipping during the day then doing household stuff, feeding mouths, putting to beds and then working into the small hours - just me and my pc.

The only thing I need access to is the usual on-line journals via Athens and the social networks I'm going to be researching. Who knows I may be on here next year asking for people to interview - ROFLMAO!!!!

Tipustyger

With funding, you need to check. If you are talking about a PhD where they have already got a topic and funding and they are finding someone to do it then you won't need to apply for funding separately. If you have your own idea then you will need to apply for funding separately.

The length of the proposal varies depending on the application process or funding body. It could be anything between 500-1500 words. There are several questions a proposal can usually cover:
1. What is your specific topic?
2. How does your topic relate to previous work you have done? (ie. say it follows on from your Masters stuff etc. The fact that you've already done some work on this is great and you must capitalise on it but don't make it sound like you are doing nothing new at all. Also, you may well be asked to submit this as it is so close to your chosen topic.)
3. How is your topic original? What could it contribute to your field?
4. If the topic is a question that has been set by someone else (like the university or funding body), why are you interested?
5. Of what benefit is doing graduate research to your personal aims/career? Here emphasise that you want to be an academic.

As for teaching, it depends on how you do it. I used to teach undergraduates for a few hours a week and it wasn't a problem. You will probably need to check with your funding body or university, especially regarding tax etc.

I've been involved in interviewing PhD students etc before and the biggest mistake applicants tended to make was not tailoring the proposal properly. It you are applying for a post were the topic is specified you need to engage with the topic and really make the proposal read like you have done your homework.

Voyager2002

elisebutt65 wrote: »

Wow, Thanks everyone!!!

So do I need to apply for funding given that the post(s) is fully funded --states 12,500 + fees covered??

I've been emailing supervisor and had reply, he's now directed me to admin to go through application process. I've got academic referees lined up - My final year and dissertation tutor from last year. Haven't worked since starting studies 5 years ago and most of that isn't relevant in my chosen field anyway but I'll also have my present teaching mentor anyway.

How big should a research proposal be? I've got around 500 words down already. It's nothing hugely exciting but it is original as not many people, apart from aforementioned supervisor, have done much in the field yet - major problem last year as I was doing my 1st dissertation on it - LOL

Will I be able to work part time whilst I'm doing it, as the college I'm currently teaching at want me to come and work for them when I've finished my placement. It's not hugely challenging but at £24/hour, will put food in the kids mouths.

As for actually doing it - I love the idea of being able to get on and do it unsupervised - access to the books and journals is like a dream for me - or am i just a saddo?????:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:My body clock is now well used to me getting up early to get kids sorted out, kipping during the day then doing household stuff, feeding mouths, putting to beds and then working into the small hours - just me and my pc.

The only thing I need access to is the usual on-line journals via Athens and the social networks I'm going to be researching. Who knows I may be on here next year asking for people to interview - ROFLMAO!!!!

First, a more fundamental question: should you be joining a Tourism department? You mention that few people teaching in the field have PhDs, so maybe these departments focus more on training people for jobs rather than research. It sounds as if you want to do research on how new technology is being used in business, and the business in question is tourism. So maybe you should look at departments of Business and Management. And if the use of new technology is centre stage, look at the Science Policy Research Unit at Sussex University (one of my friends there did a PhD, back in the mid-1980s, about the use of IT in tourism: her name is Auliana Poon and her thesis is a must-read).

Anyway, IF Bournemouth is right for you then ask the prospective supervisor to look at your proposal and help you to work on it.

One other point: quite a lot of post-graduates are funded on a "one plus three" scheme: they get funding for a year to do an MA, and then another three years to do a PhD. This kind of arrangement might suit you better than paying yourself to do an MA, particularly an MA at a department that is not particularly academic.

studentphil

I think in tourism it is more the sort of subject where having a lot of work experience in senior management posts and maybe a masters will get you a lecturers post rather than a PhD. So you might not even need a PhD at all if you are lucky.

melancholly

i think everything else is pretty much covered, but just wanted to add that it can be very usual to switch unis between a masters and a phd - they key thing is the area you want to work in and the supervisor, not the institution itself. i changed between undergrad, masters and phd - in some circles people in recommend changing places (don't know as i've only done it one way!!).

it can be a long, lonely experience - i haven't finished yet but the rule seems to be that everyone goes through bad patches when they hate it!! i don't want to put you off, but i think it's the kind of thing you have to really want to do, and doing it as a means to an end might not provide the motivation required when you hit one of the nasty 'i can't do it and no-one understands' parts!!

there are some great cartoons on this website (aimed at the US, but still so apt!) - this is one that made me laugh a lot and seemed appropriate:
http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=53

elisebutt65

Voyager2002 wrote: »

First, a more fundamental question: should you be joining a Tourism department?
The Department is actually the School of Services.

You mention that few people teaching in the field have PhDs, so maybe these departments focus more on training people for jobs rather than research. It sounds as if you want to do research on how new technology is being used in business, and the business in question is tourism. So maybe you should look at departments of Business and Management. And if the use of new technology is centre stage, look at the Science Policy Research Unit at Sussex University (one of my friends there did a PhD, back in the mid-1980s, about the use of IT in tourism: her name is Auliana Poon and her thesis is a must-read).

I knooooww!! I read it and cited some of it in my dissertation - great stuff - kudos to her!!!!! :T:T:T

Anyway, IF Bournemouth is right for you then ask the prospective supervisor to look at your proposal and help you to work on it.

No need - the subject is predecided(is that a word?) for me and I just have to submot 500 words on why and how I want to do it.

One other point: quite a lot of post-graduates are funded on a "one plus three" scheme: they get funding for a year to do an MA, and then another three years to do a PhD. This kind of arrangement might suit you better than paying yourself to do an MA, particularly an MA at a department that is not particularly academic.

It's a 3 year fully funded PhD position but I have asked if I can come in and have an informal discussion with them before I submit my application to see how it will all work in practice, whether I can work with them (always a biggie) and how feasible it will all be.

I think in tourism it is more the sort of subject where having a lot of work experience in senior management posts and maybe a masters will get you a lecturers post rather than a PhD. So you might not even need a PhD at all if you are lucky.

Phil - I want to do a PhD - It's not a case of having to do it!!!

melancholly - Thanks - It's nice to have the perspective of someone in the 'throes' of it all:D It's a subject that I love and the project is really exciting to me so - yes - I think I have the motivation to pull it off. I keep hearing how lonely it is etc but TBH - I am a loner and always hated the groupwork stuff at Uni - I prefer to just sit down and get on with it on my own - loner techno geek:rotfl::rotfl:

studentphil

Why do you want one?

Voyager2002

It seems clear that you want to do a PhD because you want to do research in an interesting area (as opposed to getting a job as a tourism lecturer, or whatever). In which case, I urge you to consider an academic, research-led department. Remember that your choice of MSc and PhD courses are separate, although the one will influence the other.

And one place you should certainly consider is SPRU at Sussex.

elisebutt65

studentphil wrote: »

Why do you want one?

Shut up Phil

studentphil

elisebutt65 wrote: »

Shut up Phil

Why are you being insulting?