When it comes to proofreading a PhD thesis, accuracy and attention to detail are paramount. Many students might be tempted to use tools like Grammarly for their proofreading needs, lured by the convenience and the promise of error-free writing. However, relying solely on Grammarly for such a critical task can be a significant mistake. Here are five compelling reasons why you should consider a professional proofreader instead.

1. Grammarly Will Not Comprehend Technical Language

PhD theses are dense with specialized terminology and jargon specific to your field. Grammarly’s algorithms, while sophisticated, are not equipped to understand the nuances of technical language. For instance, in a biomedical thesis, terms like “angiogenesis” or “polymerase chain reaction” are common, but Grammarly might flag them as errors or, worse, suggest incorrect alternatives.

A professional proofreader with expertise in your academic discipline will recognize and understand these terms. They will ensure that your use of technical language is accurate and consistent throughout your thesis. This level of understanding is crucial because even minor inaccuracies can undermine the credibility of your research.

2. Grammarly Struggles with Complex Grammar

Complex grammatical structures are a hallmark of academic writing. PhD theses often involve intricate sentence constructions that convey detailed and nuanced arguments. Grammarly excels at catching basic grammar mistakes but struggles with more sophisticated issues like complex sentence structures, verb agreements, and the proper use of subordinate clauses.

Consider the following sentence:

“While the participants’ responses indicated a general agreement, the nuances of their feedback, which were crucial to understanding the broader context, were often overlooked.”

Grammarly might not flag any errors here, but a professional proofreader would ensure that the sentence flows smoothly and that each clause is correctly used. They can also suggest improvements that enhance clarity and readability without sacrificing the complexity needed for academic rigor.

3. Grammarly Doesn’t Understand Context

Context is everything in academic writing. The meaning of words and sentences can change drastically depending on the context in which they are used. Grammarly lacks the ability to fully grasp the context of your writing, which can lead to inappropriate suggestions and missed errors.

For example, in a historical analysis, the term “revolution” might refer to a political upheaval, a scientific breakthrough, or a significant technological advancement. Grammarly cannot discern which meaning is intended based on context alone. A human proofreader, familiar with your field of study, can understand these distinctions and ensure that your terminology is used correctly and consistently.

4. Grammarly Can’t Provide Constructive Feedback

One of the most valuable aspects of working with a professional proofreader is the constructive feedback they provide. Grammarly can identify errors and suggest corrections, but it cannot explain why a change is necessary or how it improves your writing. This feedback is crucial for learning and improving your writing skills.

A professional proofreader will not only correct your mistakes but also explain the reasoning behind their changes. They can offer insights into better sentence structure, clearer argumentation, and more effective communication of your ideas. This personalized feedback helps you become a better writer, which is invaluable for your academic and professional future.

5. Grammarly Isn’t Human

The most significant limitation of Grammarly is that it isn’t human. Proofreading a PhD thesis requires a deep understanding of academic tone, style, and conventions. A human proofreader brings a level of sensitivity and nuance to the task that an algorithm simply cannot match.

Academic writing is not just about correctness; it’s about conveying complex ideas in a clear, persuasive, and engaging manner. A human proofreader can ensure that your thesis maintains the appropriate academic tone, flows logically, and is engaging to read. They can identify subtle issues that a tool like Grammarly would miss, such as awkward phrasing, inconsistent voice, or a lack of coherence between sections.

Conclusion

While Grammarly is a useful tool for basic grammar and spelling checks, it falls short when it comes to the rigorous demands of proofreading a PhD thesis. The complexity, nuance, and specialized knowledge required for this task are beyond the capabilities of even the most advanced algorithms. By investing in a professional proofreader, you ensure that your thesis is polished, precise, and ready for submission.

At BookMyPhDEditor.Com, we specialize in academic proofreading, editing, and data analysis. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping you achieve the highest standards in your academic writing. Don’t leave your PhD thesis to chance—trust the professionals to help you succeed. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can support your academic journey.

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As a Master’s or PhD student, one of the most critical components of your research project is the methodology chapter. This section of your thesis outlines the framework you’ll use to answer your research question or hypothesis. One useful tool to help you structure your methodology chapter is the Saunders Research Onion.

Developed by Professor Mark Saunders, the Saunders Research Onion is a unique and versatile research framework that can help guide you through the process of conducting and reporting research. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Saunders Research Onion and show you how to use it to structure your methodology chapter.

What is the Saunders Research Onion?

The Saunders Research Onion is a multi-layered model that depicts the various stages involved in conducting research. The onion model features six layers, with each layer representing a different aspect of the research process. The layers of the onion model include:

1. Research Philosophies
2. Research Approaches
3. Research Strategies
4. Research Choices
5. Time Horizons
6. Techniques and Procedures (Data Collection and Data Analysis Methods)

Each layer builds on the previous one and helps to clarify and refine the research process. By using the Saunders Research Onion, you can create a structured and logical approach to conducting and reporting your research.

1. Research Philosophies

The first layer of the Saunders Research Onion is the Research Philosophy layer, which is an essential aspect of research methodology. It is concerned with the underlying assumptions and beliefs that guide the research process. This layer comprises three sub-layers: Epistemology, Ontology, and Axiology.

Epistemology is concerned with the nature of knowledge and how it can be acquired. The three dominant paradigms within epistemology are Positivism, Realism, and Interpretivism. Positivism holds that knowledge can only be gained through empirical observation and scientific methods. Realism posits that there is an objective reality that exists independently of the observer, and that knowledge can be acquired through direct observation of this reality. Interpretivism, on the other hand, suggests that reality is subjective and that knowledge is acquired through interpretation and understanding of the social world.

Ontology, the second sub-layer of research philosophy, is concerned with the nature of reality and the assumptions that underpin it. There are three dominant paradigms within ontology, namely Objectivism, Constructivism, and Pragmatism. Objectivism posits that there is a single objective reality that exists independently of the observer. Constructivism suggests that reality is socially constructed and that it is shaped by the individual’s experiences and interactions with the world. Pragmatism posits that reality is constructed through the individual’s experiences and interactions with the world, and that the truth is relative to the context in which it is defined.

The third sub-layer of Research Philosophy is Axiology, which is concerned with the values and ethical considerations that guide the research process. It includes considerations such as ethical principles, cultural values, and political beliefs. Axiology is essential to ensure that the research is conducted in a manner that is ethical and reflects the values of the research community.

It is crucial for researchers to understand the different paradigms within epistemology and ontology, as well as the ethical considerations within axiology. This understanding helps researchers to select an appropriate research methodology that is aligned with their research question and objectives. Moreover, this understanding enables researchers to critically evaluate existing literature and to select appropriate research methods for their studies.

• Research Approaches

The research approach you choose will depend on your research question and the nature of your research problem. Saunders Research Onion identifies two main research approaches – deductive and inductive.

Deductive approach: In the deductive approach, researchers start with a theory and then test it through empirical data collection. The researcher will develop a hypothesis and then collect data to confirm or refute the hypothesis. This approach is commonly used in quantitative research.

Inductive approach: The inductive approach, on the other hand, is where the researcher starts with a set of observations or data and then tries to develop a theory or explanation based on the patterns that emerge. This approach is common in qualitative research.

• Research Strategies

Research strategies refer to the specific techniques or methods used to collect and analyze data. Saunders Research Onion identifies several research strategies:

Experiment: In an experiment, the researcher manipulates one or more independent variables to observe their effect on a dependent variable. This research strategy is typically used in laboratory settings.

Survey: In a survey, the researcher collects data from a sample of participants using questionnaires, interviews, or online surveys. This strategy is commonly used in social sciences and business research.

Case Study: In a case study, the researcher analyzes a specific case or phenomenon in depth, usually using multiple sources of data, such as interviews, documents, and observations. This strategy is commonly used in social sciences and business research.

Action research: In action research, the researcher collaborates with a group of participants to identify and solve a problem or improve a situation. This strategy is commonly used in organizational and educational research.

Grounded Theory: In grounded theory, the researcher develops a theory or explanation based on the patterns and themes that emerge from the data. This strategy is commonly used in qualitative research.

Ethnography: In ethnography, the researcher studies a particular culture or community in depth by collecting data through interviews, observations, and other sources. This strategy is commonly used in social sciences and anthropology.

Archival Research: In archival research, the researcher collects data from existing sources, such as historical documents, government records, or organizational archives. This strategy is commonly used in historical and legal research.

• Research Choices

Research choices refer to the decision of the researcher to use a single method, multiple methods, or mixed methods in their research. Saunders Research Onion identifies three research choices:

Mono method: In mono-method research, the researcher uses a single research method, either qualitative or quantitative, to collect and analyze data.

Multi-method: In multi-method research, the researcher uses multiple research methods, either qualitative or quantitative, to collect and analyze data.

Mixed-method: In mixed-method research, the researcher uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect and analyze data.

• Time Horizons

Time horizons refer to the duration of time over which data is collected. Saunders Research Onion identifies two types of time horizons:

Cross-sectional: In cross-sectional research, the researcher collects data at a single point in time.

Longitudinal: In longitudinal research, the researcher collects data over an extended period of time, often through repeated measurements or observations.

• Techniques and Procedures – Data Collection and Data Analysis

Data collection and data analysis are critical components of research methodology, and they are also a part of the sixth layer of the Saunders Research Onion model. Techniques and procedures used for data collection and analysis will depend on the research approach, strategy, and time horizon selected by the researcher.

There are various data collection methods, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, observation, and experiments. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses, and the researcher must choose the most appropriate method based on the research objectives and the nature of the research question. It is also essential to consider ethical issues related to data collection, such as obtaining informed consent, maintaining confidentiality, and protecting participants from harm.

Data analysis techniques are also crucial for research methodology, and they can be broadly divided into two categories: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative data analysis involves analyzing data in a non-numerical form, such as text, images, or videos. Common techniques for qualitative data analysis include content analysis, thematic analysis, and discourse analysis.

Quantitative data analysis, on the other hand, involves analyzing numerical data using statistical techniques. Common techniques for quantitative data analysis include descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and regression analysis. It is important to choose the appropriate data analysis technique based on the type of data collected and the research question.

Conclusion

The Saunders Research Onion model is a valuable tool for structuring the research methodology chapter of a PhD thesis or Master-level dissertation. The model provides a step-by-step approach to research methodology, starting with the research philosophy and ending with the techniques and procedures for data collection and analysis. By using the model, researchers can ensure that their research methodology chapter is comprehensive, well-structured, and logically organized.

It is important to note that while the Saunders Research Onion model provides a useful framework for research methodology, it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Researchers must carefully consider their research objectives, research question, and other contextual factors when selecting the appropriate research philosophy, approach, strategy, time horizon, and data collection and analysis techniques.

At Book My PhD Editor, we understand the importance of a well-written and well-structured research methodology chapter. Our team of experienced editors and proofreaders can help you to ensure that your research methodology chapter is clear, concise, and error-free. We also offer data analysis services to help you analyze your research data using the appropriate techniques. Contact us today at info@bookmyphdeditor.com to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your research methodology chapter.

Bonus Tip for Scholars:

Google Scholar – Google Scholar is a search engine that provides access to academic and scholarly literature, including articles, books, conference papers, and other documents. It is designed to help researchers, students, and academics find relevant scholarly content across a wide range of disciplines. Google Scholar indexes material from a variety of sources, including academic publishers, institutional repositories, and preprint servers, and provides links to full-text versions of many of the documents it lists. Users can search Google Scholar by keyword, author, publication, and other parameters, and can also set up alerts to receive notifications of new publications or citations to their own work.

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As a Master’s or PhD student, analyzing data is an essential part of your research journey. It is crucial to understand how to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data accurately and effectively to ensure that your research findings are reliable and valid. In this article, we will provide you with an ultimate guide to analyzing quantitative and qualitative data for your Master’s dissertation or PhD thesis.

1. Introduction

Before we delve into the methods of analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, let us first define what these terms mean.

Quantitative data refers to data that can be measured and expressed numerically. Examples include age, income, or number of sales. In contrast, qualitative data refers to data that is descriptive and cannot be measured numerically. Examples include observations, opinions, and interviews.

Analyzing quantitative and qualitative data is crucial in your research journey as it helps you to understand your research findings better. Analyzing data can also help to identify patterns, relationships, and trends in your data, which can help you to draw conclusions.

Let us now walk you through the methods of analyzing quantitative and qualitative data in detail. We will also highlight the importance of data preparation and the use of software tools for data analysis.

2. HOW TO ANALYZE QUANTITATIVE DATA

2.1 DATA PREPARATION

Before analyzing quantitative data, it is essential to prepare the data to ensure that it is reliable and valid. Data preparation involves several steps, including data validation, data editing, and data coding.

Data validation is a crucial step in the process of analyzing quantitative data as it helps to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data. To validate data, one approach is to use a four-step model consisting of fraud, screening, procedure, and completeness.

The first step, fraud, involves checking for any false or misleading information in the data. This could include checking for duplicate responses or inconsistent answers. The next step, screening, involves reviewing the data for any errors or omissions. For instance, in the case of survey data, one could check for incomplete surveys or missing responses.

The third step, procedure, involves ensuring that the data was collected using appropriate methods and that the data collection process was conducted consistently. This could involve checking the sampling method, the survey questions, and the data collection procedures to ensure that they were standardized and consistent.

Finally, the completeness step involves verifying that all the required data has been collected and that there are no gaps in the data. This could involve checking for any missing data or incomplete responses.

By following this four-step model for data validation, researchers can ensure that their data is accurate and reliable, which is essential for conducting meaningful data analysis.

Data editing involves identifying and correcting errors in the data. For example, if you find an outlier in your data, you may need to remove it or adjust it to ensure that it does not skew your results.

Data coding involves assigning numerical values to data to make it easier to analyze. For example, if you collected data on respondents’ levels of education, you could assign numerical values to different education levels, such as high school (1), college (2), or graduate school (3).

It is crucial to perform these steps to ensure that the data is accurate and reliable.

2.2 METHODS OF QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS

After preparing the data, you can proceed to analyze it. There are two main types of quantitative data analysis: descriptive and inferential statistics.

Descriptive statistics are used to summarize and describe the data. Examples of descriptive statistics include mean, median, mode, percentage, frequency, and range. For example, if you collected data on the number of hours worked by employees in a company, you could calculate the mean or median to describe the typical number of hours worked by employees.

Inferential statistics are used to make inferences or predictions about the population based on the sample data. Examples of inferential statistics include correlation, regression, and analysis of variance. For example, if you collected data on the relationship between customer satisfaction and sales, you could use regression analysis to determine whether there is a significant relationship between the two variables.

There are several software tools available for analyzing quantitative data, such as SPSS, Excel, and Stata. These tools can help you to perform complex statistical analyses and produce accurate and reliable results.

It is important to interpret and present the results of your quantitative data analysis clearly and concisely. Your research findings should be presented in a way that is easy to understand and relevant to your research question.

3. HOW TO ANALYZE QUALITATIVE DATA

Qualitative data analysis is a process of identifying patterns, themes, and meanings within the data. It is an exploratory approach that involves the interpretation and analysis of non-numerical data. Qualitative data can come in various forms, such as interviews, focus groups, observations, and document analysis. Here are the steps involved in analyzing qualitative data.

3.1 Data Preparation and Basic Qualitative Data Analysis

Data transcription: The first step in analyzing qualitative data is transcription, which involves converting recorded data into a written format. This process helps to organize the data and make it easier to analyze. Transcription can be done manually or with the help of software tools. A good transcription should include all the details from the data, such as verbal cues, nonverbal expressions, and tone of voice.

Data reduction: Once the data has been transcribed, the next step is data reduction, which involves summarizing the data into manageable categories or themes. This process helps to identify patterns and themes within the data. There are various techniques for data reduction, such as content analysis, discourse analysis, thematic analysis, and narrative analysis.

Data display: After data reduction, the data can be displayed in various formats such as tables, matrices, and graphs. Data display helps to organize the data and make it easier to understand.

3.2 Methods of Qualitative Data Analysis

Content analysis: Content analysis is a technique used to analyze text-based data such as interviews, focus groups, and open-ended survey questions. The aim is to identify patterns and themes within the data. The process involves coding the data into categories or themes and then interpreting the findings.

Discourse analysis: Discourse analysis is a technique used to analyze language-based data such as interviews, focus groups, and written documents. The aim is to understand how language is used to convey meaning and how it shapes social reality. The process involves analyzing the language used and identifying the underlying meanings and assumptions.

Thematic analysis: Thematic analysis is a technique used to identify patterns and themes within qualitative data. It involves coding the data into categories or themes and then interpreting the findings. The aim is to identify patterns and themes within the data.

Narrative analysis: Narrative analysis is a technique used to analyze stories or accounts provided by participants. The aim is to understand how people construct their experiences and how they make sense of their lives. The process involves identifying the key elements of the story and analyzing the underlying meanings.

Grounded theory: Grounded theory is a technique used to develop theories based on qualitative data. The aim is to develop a theory that is grounded in the data rather than starting with a preconceived hypothesis. The process involves analyzing the data and identifying key concepts, which are then used to develop a theory.

Importance of Software Tools in Qualitative Data Analysis

There are various software tools available to aid in the analysis of qualitative data, such as NVivo, MAXQDA, and Atlas.ti. These tools can help organize the data, identify patterns and themes, and facilitate data display. The use of software tools can also save time and increase the accuracy of the analysis.

Interpreting and Presenting the Results

Interpreting and presenting the results of qualitative data analysis is important to communicate the findings effectively. The results can be presented in various formats such as tables, charts, and graphs. The presentation should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. It is also important to provide a clear explanation of the findings and how they relate to the research questions.

In conclusion, analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data is crucial for any master’s dissertation or PhD thesis. The methods outlined in this guide can serve as a starting point for students looking to analyze their data effectively.

Data analysis can be a daunting task, and it is important to have a clear understanding of the methods and techniques involved. Seeking the assistance of professional academic editors and data analysts can help ensure that your research is of the highest quality.

At Book My PhD Editor, we offer a wide range of academic services, including academic editing, proofreading, and data analysis, to help PhD and Master-level students produce top-quality academic drafts. Contact us today at info@bookmyphdeditor.com to learn more about how we can help you with your research.

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If you are pursuing a master’s degree or PhD, you are likely to encounter the need for a literature review. A literature review is a critical analysis of existing research on a particular topic, and it is an essential component of any academic work. It not only helps you to identify gaps in the existing literature, but it also provides a basis for developing a research question and designing a research methodology. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of conducting a critical literature review for your master’s dissertation or PhD thesis.

Step 1: Define your research question

Before you begin your literature review, you need to have a clear research question in mind. Your research question should be specific, relevant, and focused on a particular aspect of your topic. Once you have defined your research question, you can use it as a basis for identifying relevant literature and developing a search strategy.

Step 2: Conduct a comprehensive search

The next step is to conduct a comprehensive search of the existing literature. This involves searching academic databases, such as Business Source Premier, Emerald Insight, IBIS World, JSTOR and PubMed, as well as relevant journals and conference proceedings. It is essential to use a range of keywords and search terms to ensure that you capture all relevant literature. You should also consider searching the reference lists of relevant articles and books for additional sources.

Step 3: Evaluate the quality of the literature

Once you have identified relevant literature, it is important to evaluate its quality. You should consider factors such as the author’s credentials, the publication date, and the methodology used in the study. It is also essential to critically evaluate the findings of each study and to identify any limitations or weaknesses.

Step 4: Analyze the literature

The next step is to analyze the literature. This involves identifying themes, patterns, and trends across the literature. You should also consider the similarities and differences between the findings of each study. You may find it helpful to use a literature review matrix to organize your findings and to identify gaps in the existing literature.

Step 5: Synthesize the literature

The final step is to synthesize the literature. This involves drawing conclusions and making recommendations based on your analysis of the existing literature. You should consider the implications of the findings for your research question and for the wider academic field. You should also identify areas where further research is needed.

Tips for conducting a successful literature review:

• Start early and allow sufficient time for the literature review process
• Be systematic and methodical in your approach
• Keep detailed records of your search strategy and findings
• Use a range of sources and search terms to capture all relevant literature
• Evaluate the quality of the literature and critically analyze the findings
• Use a literature review matrix or other organizational tools to keep track of your findings
• Synthesize the literature to draw conclusions and make recommendations
• Be aware of the limitations of your literature review and identify areas where further research is needed

Conclusion:

A critical literature review is an essential component of any master’s dissertation or PhD thesis. It requires a systematic and methodical approach to identify relevant literature, evaluate its quality, analyze the findings, and synthesize the literature. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can conduct a successful literature review and contribute to the wider academic field.

If you need assistance with your literature review or any other aspect of your academic work, Book My PhD Editor is here to help. Our team of expert editors and proofreaders can ensure that your work is of the highest quality and meets the rigorous standards of academic excellence. Contact us at info@bookmyphdeditor.com for more information on our services.

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If you are reading this article, it means that you may already have submitted your PhD Thesis and are now waiting to be thoroughly grilled by a viva voce (often shortened to ‘viva’), which happens to be an oral examination conducted by a panel of examiners at the university.

Often do we find some students terming this oral examination as a storm because its preparation makes them feel devastated completely. With this information-rich article, you will learn about the purpose of viva as well as some amazing tips on how to ride out this storm confidently.

THE PURPOSE OF VIVA

This intellectually-gruelling oral examination is held in order to check on:

• Whether your PhD Thesis is an original piece of research work (i.e. plagiarism-free) or not;
• If you understand all the aspects of the recently-submitted doctoral thesis of yours thoroughly;
• How significant your PhD Thesis is to the wider research field; and
• Your plans for future publication and research options.

While there are some confident PhD students who consider viva as an opportunity to impress the examiners with the research work they have passionately completed over a period of 3-4 years, there are many who start to get worried at the very thought of responding to a number of penetrating questions and engaging in critical debates with academic experts in the oral examination soon after they submit their PhD Thesis.

What these frightened or worried PhD students do not realise is the fact that they have already done a great deal of preparation for viva during the period of conducting their PhD research work and a little more preparation is all that is needed to get through the oral examination with flying colours.

If you are one of the worried doctoral students, you should remember the time when you presented your PhD work at a conference or an in-house seminar and answered the challenging questions from the academic audience confidently. You may also have explained your research work in detail to a friend, a relative or a next-door neighbour while working on your PhD Thesis lately. Going over such past memories/experiences should definitely enthuse your to face the fast-approaching viva to some extent.

Now that you feel a little bit confident, let us take you through the ‘to-do list’ for viva preparation so that any remaining fear left inside your heart vanishes completely for good and you’re able to face the oral examination with full confidence:

1. CONFIRM DATE, TIME AND VENUE FOR VIVA

After submitting your PhD Thesis, you are fully entitled to celebrate. But, celebrations must not deter you from being prepared for the forthcoming viva. Before you set out to engage in your desired activities and meet your dear ones, you need to get in touch with the university to confirm the date, time and venue for the oral examination. This information would help you allocate your time to the fun-activities and viva preparation wisely. You might want to consider making a time-table to remain organised and glued to the viva preparation at this stage.

2. CHECK ON EXAMINERS

As soon as you have the details about when and where viva would be conducted, you should enquire the university about who your examiners would be. Generally speaking, there are two examiners to conduct the oral examination, one from the university and another one from any external institution. However, the number of examiners may increase to more than two in some cases where the research area is interdisciplinary.

Once you know the names of examiners, you must go about conducting research into their areas of expertise and their published research papers (especially the ones relevant to your PhD Thesis) to be able to anticipate the questions they might be asking you at the viva. A thorough research on the examiners will definitely stand you in good stead at the oral examination.

It is to be noted here that your PhD supervisor would not be available at the viva unless his/her presence has been specifically requested for by the examiners. So, do not be on the look out for biased support from the supervisor while you are being grilled by the examiners in relation to your PhD Thesis.

3. STAY UPDATED WITH THE LATEST RESEARCH

It is vital that you look into any relevant research paper that may have been published post the submission of your PhD Thesis to keep updated with developments in your chosen area of research. Keeping your abreast with up-to-date knowledge will help you deal with the viva panel better.

4. READ YOUR PHD THESIS AGAIN

In order to face the oral examination confidently, you need to read over your PhD Thesis meticulously.

If you come across errors in the PhD Thesis while reading it over, please pen those down on a piece of a paper without panicking. Detection of such mistakes in advance will help you not look surprised to the panel of examiners in the oral examination. You can certainly address the detected issues while working on final corrections suggested by the panel post the completion of viva.

Apart from detecting errors in your PhD Thesis, you need to write on each page its main points. Thereafter, print the table of contents page with enough spacing under each heading to accommodate the previously-noted main points.

Once you have the printed page handy, try explaining your entire research work in 2 minutes. Thereafter, you could try explaining each chapter of your PhD Thesis in 2 minutes. The 2-minute verbal explanations will help you describe your research work briefly and precisely to the examiners when viva kicks off.

5. BRAINSTORM ON POINTS YOU WILL DEFEND

You need to mull over what you will be defending to the end and what you are willing to concede at the oral examination.

It is vital that you defend your claims about originality of your research work and significant contribution which your PhD Thesis has made to the existing body of knowledge, and highlight the theoretical, research and practical implications of your findings at viva.

Additionally, you need to be ready to identify the limitations of the study and provide your opinion on how you could have done things differently or better to avoid the highlighted limitations to the examiners. You should not hesitate discussing the limitations of your PhD Thesis as no research work is perfect, and the examiners will appreciate the fact that you have thought through both the pros and cons of your PhD research properly.

When you are confronted by any examiner in relation to the weaknesses of your research study, the following approach might help:

• You should take time to think over the mentioned weaknesses before you respond. Giving a generic answer, such as ‘weaknesses are found out in every study’, might not be an appropriate way to deal with the discussion pertaining to limitations of the study at viva.
• How ever small the weakness is, you should never play it down when it is mentioned by your examiners at viva. You must answer it sensibly;
• Avoid pinning the blame on your supervisor or collected research data for any weakness of your PhD Thesis;
• You must not take any criticism of your research to your heart and get angry at any given point in time during the oral examination. Rather, you should take a deep breath and address the criticisms positively without feeling offended in any way.

6. PRACTICE ANSWERING THE EXPECTED VIVA QUESTIONS VERBALLY

While PhD Thesis demonstrates one’s ability to write one’s research work in a structured and organised manner, viva displays one’s verbal capacity to discuss one’s written research work with academic audience critically and clearly. Hence, you must prepare a list of probable viva questions and practice answering those aloud, in order to face the viva panel confidently at the oral examination.

i) Generic

• Describe your PhD Thesis in brief.
• Why did you choose a specific research question?
• Describe the most fascinating parts of your PhD Thesis.
• Does the topic of your research fully justify its content?
• Why is the topic significant and who might it be important to?
• What did you enjoy the most while conducting your research?
• Did any part of your PhD Thesis take you by surprise?
• How do you think you have developed as a researcher during your tenure as a PhD student?
• What are the key findings?
• Describe the originality of your PhD Thesis and the contributions it has made to the existing body of knowledge.

ii) Literature Review

• Author ‘XYZ’ has been mentioned in your PhD Thesis on a number of occasions. Could you enlarge upon the author’s work and its significance for your research study?
• Could you talk us through the developments that have taken place in this research area since you kicked off with your PhD study?
• You have made use of a particular reference or theory briefly in your PhD Thesis. Why has this reference or theory been played down by you?
• How did you about selecting the references for your PhD Thesis while writing the literature review?
• How well does the literature align with research topic, research question and other parts of your PhD Thesis?
• Could you name three publications that have left a great deal of impact on your PhD Thesis?

iii)Methods

• Could you comment on the effectiveness of the research design?
• Did you ever think about applying a different design to your research study at any given point in time?
• How did the research question/s translate into the chosen data collection instruments?
• What are the philosophical assumptions in your research study?
• Where are YOU in this particular study?
• What all problems did you come across while collecting data for your research work and what did you do to solve those issues (if any)?
• It appears that you have incorporated an existing research method into your study after modifying it to some extent. Could you apprise us of the reasons as to why such modification was required?
• Could you describe your sample and how it was recruited? Please highlight the shortcomings of the recruited sample too.
• Could you talk us through the strengths and weaknesses of the collected data?
• Could you please explain the theoretical framework of the study?
• Did you have any ethical issue to deal with? If yes, could you describe the issues in detail and how those were tackled by you?
• How did you limit the scope of data collection?

iv) Analysis & Findings

• Could you describe the method that has been used to analyse the gathered data?
• How was the framework of analysis constructed?
• What was not included in the framework?
• Did you face any problem with the application of the adopted method of analysing data?
• Do you reckon that the collected data appropriately addresses the research question of your research? If not, please give your opinion on the data you would like have collected to answer the research question more appropriately.
• Was induction combined together with deduction in the analysis? If yes, please share few examples of the same.
• Would you care to detail the main findings?

v) Discussion

• If you were given the opportunity to start your research all over again, what all changes would you consider making to your approach toward the PhD?
• Do you reckon that the findings may have been interpreted differently?
• How would justify the originality of your PhD Thesis?

vi) Conclusion

• Would you care to explain the theoretical, research and practical implications of your findings in detail?
• What are your recommendations to other researchers regarding future research?

7. CARRY ALONG A COPY OF PHD THESIS IDENTICAL TO THE ONE SHARED WITH EXAMINERS

You need to make sure that you and your viva examiners have the same copy of PhD Thesis so that any reference made with regard to any specific page of the thesis is dealt with immediately.

Do not forget to highlight the important quotes and sections of your thesis on the copy that you hold. This would enable you to hold the discussion of your research work smoothly and confidently.

Some examiners may go to the extent of checking the collected data, software used to analyse the data and other supporting evidence related to your research. So, have it all ready and accessible before the viva kicks off.

8. BREAK THE ICE CONFIDENTLY

In the oral examination, you would be expected to break the ice by introducing your research work and its key findings over the first 5-10 minutes. So, be prepared to start the introduction on a positive note with confidence.

9. DO NOT BE UPSET BY EXAMINERS’ SILENCE

Do not expect the viva panel to offer any feedback on your PhD Thesis while the oral examination is on. Examiners may choose to keep silence on the quality of your research work because of any restriction imposed by university’s policy. So, what you must do is remain self-motivated and carry on with the discussion of your research work without being negatively influenced by examiners’ silence until the end of viva.

10. TALK ABOUT WEAKNESSES ONLY WHEN ASKED TO

You must not mention about the weaknesses of your PhD research study on your own. Let the examiners point out the shortcomings of your PhD Thesis instead.

11. AVOID ANSWERING LIKE A ROBOT

You must prepare yourself well to answer any question spontaneously. If you try to memorise expected questions’ answers, there is a possibility that you might read out the memorised answers like a robot in response to the real viva questions without being, even a bit, concerned about whether the questions are being addressed appropriately and adequately. So, develop spontaneity to avoid sounding like a robot during the viva.

12. REGAIN CONTROL IF YOU GET STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF VIVA

Even if you have eaten properly, slept adequately and de-stressed yourself completely before the 1-3 hour viva kicks off, there is a possibility that you might go blank when a difficult or an unexpected question is put forward for you to answer. What do you do in this case? Well, keep calm and seek permission from the examiners to look something up in your PhD Thesis. Thereafter, start flipping through the relevant pages of your PhD Thesis. Once you have an idea as to how you could answer that specific question, start talking again.

If you follow the above-given pieces of advice and tips, you should not have any trouble facing the panel of viva examiners with confidence and getting through the oral examination with flying colours.

It is to be noted here though that most of the PhD students get asked to re-submit their PhD Thesis after incorporating minor or major changes suggested by the panel of examiners. So, be ready to work on the final set of amendments (requested by the viva panel) before the PhD degree is awarded to you eventually. We wish you luck with your viva!

Last but not the least, if you need any help with regard to making minor or major corrections to your PhD, please feel free to write to us at info@bookmyphdeditor.com with all the details and our elite editorial team would be happy to assist you further. Alternatively, you can send us your detailed requirements through our CONTACT US form.

The post PhD Viva : How To Ride Out This Storm Confidently appeared first on BookMyPhDEditor.

Is your PhD supervisor very difficult person to deal with? Do you feel that you are often ignored by the supervisor? Does it occur to you that every piece of draft produced by you for the PhD Thesis is always frowned upon for trivial reasons? Does the supervisor end up making you feel stupid in every meeting? If your answer is ‘yes’ to any or all of the above-given questions, it is apparent that your PhD journey is not going on as smoothly as it should and that you need to focus on improving your relationship with the assigned supervisor. This article will apprise you of the various types of nagging supervisor and outline the strategies to deal with each type so as to enable you to stride forward on the path of PhD effortlessly.

It might sound unfair to you, but the difficult supervisors often get away with their inappropriate behaviour because of their past achievements and accolades as academic researchers. What this means is that making a complaint to your university against the supervisor’s inappropriate behaviour is an option to you as doing so is only going to complicate your life further.

So, what do you do as a student to cope up with a difficult PhD supervisor? Well, you can work out strategies that will help reduce your PhD woes by bringing you and your supervisor on the same page until the completion of your PhD journey. In order to devise such strategies, you first need to figure out the type of supervisor you’re dealing with.

According to a book titled ‘Coping with Difficult People’, there are 7 categories into which difficult people could be divided. The categories are listed as follows:

1. Hostile aggressive
2. Complainer
3. Silent & unresponsive
4. Super-agreeable
5. Negativist
6. Know-it-all expert
7. Indecisive

In addition to the above-mentioned 7 types of difficult people, the author of another book titled ‘The Smart Way to Your Ph.D.: 200 Secrets From 100 Graduates’ has talked of two additional types of difficult personalities which are:

1. Super-busy
2. Micro-manager

Your supervisor is most likely to fall in any of the 9 categories mentioned above.

Let us discuss what each of the 9 categories means and what strategies you can use to handle each type in detail.

Hostile-aggressive

Supervisors or advisors that fall into this particular category are normally confrontational, unfriendly, impolite, rude and aggressive in nature. Such type of supervisor will reject all your ideas and drafts point blank, leaving you to feel down and out in almost every meeting.

What you should do is not let such supervisor run over your work, thoughts and ideas by trying out the following strategies:

• Bide your time – You need to wait for the person to switch into a calm-mode so that your voice could be heard and understood.
• Be assertive – Once the supervisor’s drilling speech has lost the momentum in the meeting, you need to assertively respond to supervisor’s concerns regarding your PhD, backing up your arguments with logic and reliable sources of information.

• Maintain eye-contact – Look into the eyes of the supervisor while you’re speaking your mind. This will reflect your confidence and positivity which, in turn, will help you take charge of the situation and direct the conversation towards problem-solving.

Complainer

This type of supervisor will always have something to complain about. It will not be wrong to say here that such type of supervisor is born with the talent for picking up holes in a student’s work.

You can do the following to deal with a supervisor who complains a lot:

• Listen – You should actively listen to the complaints raised by the supervisor to be able to deal with the same appropriately later on.
• Acknowledge – You need to, then, acknowledge your supervisor’s comments in an appropriate manner. You could say ‘I understand what you are driving at’ or ‘I understand where you are coming from’ or ‘I see why you’re concerned about xyz section of my research paper’ to acknowledge.
• Intervene – If you find any complaint of your supervisor to be illogical, intervene and explain why you do not agree to any particular point mentioned by the supervisor. Statements, such as ‘With your permission, I would like to contradict your point here’ or ‘With due respect, I beg to differ on this point’, might be helpful.
• Avoid accusation – When you speak your mind to your supervisor, it should not sound like accusation. Rather, you should state facts and figures to back up your arguments on any topic which your supervisor has been troubling you with. Don’t let the conversation turn into an accusation-re-accusation sequence. You could extend the sentence used above in the following manner: ‘With due respect, I beg to differ on this point and my reasons are X, Y & Z’.
• Get down to problem-solving – Besides stating facts and figures to your supervisor, you need to present solutions to the problems that have been highlighted by the supervisor during the meeting. For example, ‘‘I see why you’re concerned about xyz section of my research paper. With due respect, I beg to differ on this point and my reasons are X, Y & Z. Do you think it is still an issue? If yes, what changes do you want me to make to this section so that this particular chapter falls in line with your expectations?

It is to be noted that complaining supervisors do not always moan about any particular research issue with a view to getting to its solution. They would rather do so in order to be admired and appreciated for their ability to pick faults. So, appreciate them to fulfil their unspoken desire for recognition.

Silent & unresponsive

This kind of supervisor is not what you get to see in the academia. However, there are certain supervisors who do fail to return your calls or emails and might try to skip your questions silently during a meeting.

Below given are few methods you could consider while dealing with such kind of supervisor:

• Open-ended questions – You should ask open-ended questions to get as much information out as possible. For example, Professor, what do you think about the solutions I have proposed to the problems raised in the previous meeting?
• Pausing helps – When you feel your question or doubt has not been duly addressed, try pausing for a while, allowing the professor to break the ice and address the question or doubt with a satisfactory explanation.
• Sum-up the conversation – Before the meeting ends, re-iterate what has been discussed and seek confirmation of your understanding from the supervisor. This would make sure that any gap in understanding is duly identified and filled by the supervisor, and that you have clear set of goals to achieve before the next meeting kicks off.
• Follow-up regularly – If your supervisor has asked you to work on certain aspects of your PhD Thesis, you need to agree to a deadline for the same and schedule the next meeting to discuss its progress. Continuous follow-up is the key to success while working with this type of supervisor.
• Use your own judgement – If the supervisor remains silent on any question or doubt of yours (related to the PhD Thesis), you may need to use your own judgement and keep the supervisor informed about your plan of action via email.

Super-agreeable

A supervisor falling into this category would always appreciate your work and would hardly mention any fact that might upset or displease you as a student. If such supervisor makes any promise, it is not to be trusted blindly as most of the promises made by this category of PhD supervisors are empty ones.

In short, you cannot depend on this kind of supervisor for much help with regards to your PhD Thesis. Here are certain strategies you can make use of while handling such type of supervisor:

• Speak your mind – Do not wait for the supervisor to pick holes in your work. Rather, approach the supervisor with all the problems you’re faced with while drafting various sections of your PhD Thesis and seek solutions to the same. Get the supervisor to confirm if he/she is absolutely happy with the work done so far in relation to PhD Thesis so that major amendments in the latter stage of the research work could be avoided.
• Look out for unrealistic commitments – As mentioned earlier, a super-agreeable supervisor is good at making empty commitments. So, you have to be on the look out for such false commitments and find a way around these. For example, if your supervisor has promised to provide a letter of recommendation to you in response to your request for the same, you cannot rely on such promise as the supervisor is most likely going to delay the delivery unnecessarily. What you need to do in this case is create an outline for the requested letter and provide it to the supervisor, requesting him/her to issue the recommendation letter at the earliest. This step will expedite the delivery process and you will end up getting the letter much sooner.
• Actively listen for humour – Such type of friendly supervisor, when holding a conversation, uses elements of humour to highlight the deficiencies of a research paper. Hence, your job is to keep your ears open all the time and be attentive to such humorous comments in order to improve the content of your PhD Thesis.

Negativist

A negative PhD supervisor will always highlight the negative aspects of your accomplished work and try to bring your morale down. Such type of supervisor will not be happy with your academic efforts ever.

The strategies you can use to deal with a negativist supervisor are as follows:

• Avoid getting impacted by the negative behaviour of the supervisor. You should rather draw inspiration from the supervisor’s negative attitude and strive to use it to perform and achieve better results.
• Try to focus on the problems you are seeking solutions to rather than the supervisor’s demoralising behaviour.
• Do not get into arguments that, you know, will escalate tension between you and the supervisor to a great degree.
• Seek help from your peers and other professors if you are able to get nothing out of the negative supervisor you have been assigned with.

Know-it-all expert

As the name suggests, a supervisor falling into this category has great deal of knowledge in his or her area of research and would not be pleased with any piece of content that is not well-researched and thought through.

You can cope with a know-it-all expert supervisor by using the following strategies:

• However good you are as a researcher, you need to be polite while talking to this kind of supervisor. If you try to show off your expertise in a particular research area, you may not get the best support you want.
• Before you meet this type of supervisor, you should equip yourself with the required amount of knowledge. A little preparation, before the meeting, would help you critically evaluate the problems you are faced with and seek solutions to the same from the supervisor.
• Always thank your supervisor for providing you with relevant input and guiding you in the right direction at the end of every in-person meeting.

Indecisive

Have you come across a PhD supervisor who first asks you to proceed with your research work on a particular topic and later on, suggests you to switch to a new research topic, for the previously-agreed topic does not look very promising any longer? If yes, that type of supervisor is what you term as indecisive.

Indecisive supervisors are not comfortable with making firm decisions, for they fear lest their decisions should turn out as inappropriate and ineffective.

While dealing with an indecisive supervisor, you could use the following tactics:

• Assertiveness is what works the best with such type of supervisor. By being assertive, you can explain why a particular research project is worth doing after your supervisor has rejected the research plan. This would help restore the confidence of your supervisor in both you and the research work you are carrying out.
• You need to take charge of the PhD Thesis and do considerable amount of research on your own before you meet an indecisive supervisor for guidance. Only when you are well-informed about the research area, will you be able to convince your supervisor about the decisions you have made in relation to your PhD Thesis.

Super-busy

This type of supervisor would barely have any time to dedicate to your PhD project.  Students, who have been assigned a super-busy PhD Supervisor, need to remain self-motivated to finish the PhD Thesis successfully.

Below-given are few tips for you to cope with a super busy supervisor:

• If you are unable to get an appointment to see your supervisor, please do research on your own to find solutions to the problems you are stuck with in relation to your PhD Thesis. Thereafter, drop an email to the supervisor, informing about the steps you will take to solve a research issue or issues. If the supervisor finds any fault with your chosen course of action, you might get some constructive feedback on the same that will enable you to move in the right direction.
• You can also seek help and advice from your peers and other professors in relation to the various chapters of your PhD Thesis.

Micro-manager

A micro-managing supervisor is someone who scrutinizes every aspect of your PhD work and keeps track of every deadline that has been agreed to discuss the work-in-progress and future course of action. Such type of supervisor might even call you at odd-hours to discuss about the ongoing research project.

You can do the following to cope with a supervisor who micro-manages:

• In each meeting with your PhD supervisor, you should pen down every piece of feedback shared by him/her and agree to a deadline for submitting the revised draft. This would ensure that you are not interrupted before the agreed deadline expires and you can complete the agreed revision on time.
• Inform the supervisor about your working hours in a polite way so that he/she knows when to get in touch with you to seek an update (if need be).

The long and short of what this article is trying to convey is that you are bound to face troubles from the assigned supervisor on certain occasions while you are busy working on your PhD Thesis, but you do not have to lose heart. Assertiveness and self-motivation along with other strategies discussed above will help you deal with your difficult supervisor to a great degree which, in turn, would enable you to complete the PhD Thesis successfully in the end.

Last but not the least, if you need any help with regard to making minor or major corrections to your PhD Thesis or Dissertation, please feel free to write to us at info@bookmyphdeditor.com with all the details and our elite editorial team would be happy to assist you further. Alternatively, you can send us your detailed requirements through our CONTACT US form.

The post How To Deal With Various Types Of Troublesome PhD Supervisor appeared first on BookMyPhDEditor.

Are you about to embark on your PhD journey sometime soon? Are you feeling clueless as to what you will be doing over the first week of PhD at your university? Do you wish to be better prepared than your peers so as to be in control of your PhD research right from the very beginning? If you have answered ‘yes’ to all of the above-mentioned questions, you must read on to find out the answers.

The initial phase of the PhD may turn out to be very confusing and difficult if you do not prepare for it well in advance. Unlike undergraduate courses, there is no classroom routine designed for PhD students to follow. Nor is there any classmate to help with something as simple as finding the closest washroom. You may also be roaming across the university campus with your laptop handy in a clueless manner, pondering over what to do and where to go.

In order to help you settle in smoothly, this article shares some great tips on what to do as you get on with the first week of PhD programme below:

1. BUY YOURSELF A COFFEE MUG AS YOU ENTER FIRST WEEK OF PHD

PhD programmes are very intense in nature and often require students to keep late hours for managing their studies efficiently. Therefore, you should buy a coffee mug and get used to drinking coffee regularly as regular intake of caffeine will help keep off fatigue and will result in increased productivity while you are working on your PhD research.

2. GET HOLD OF YOUR WORKSTATION

You need to consult your department head or supervisor or administrator to figure out the workstation that has been assigned to you. Decorate the workstation tastefully once you have found it and ensure that you have a comfortable chair to sit on as you will be using the workstation to work on your PhD research for hours at a stretch at times.

3. GET DONE WITH PAPERWORK

Even though you have submitted a number of papers, including statement of purpose, research proposal, application form, mark sheets and letters of recommendation, to your university for the purpose of admission on to a PhD course, you will realise that you still have a lot of paperwork to get done with in the first week of joining the university. For example, you may be asked to fill up a form to get your university identity card to access university premises or you might be filling in a form to get log-in details for accessing intranet/internet or library’s online resources. You need to ensure that you are done with filling in all the relevant forms as soon as possible so that you could avail yourself of all the university facilities without any trouble.

4. GET YOUR COMPUTER READY FOR WORK

Having filled in the log-in form, you must have obtained username and password to access internet/intranet on your laptop.

As your laptop is now connected to the wi-fi/intranet, you must consider setting up the closest printer on it because you would need to print out a number of documents during your study tenure as PhD.

There are many useful software programs offered by universities to its students for free so that the students could carry on with their studies in an uninterrupted manner. Hence, you should check with your university as to which all software programs are accessible to you for free and download the relevant ones to make your life a little bit easier.

In addition to the university’s software programs, you should consider downloading some other free software solutions, including Dropbox, Evernote, Google Docs, Mendeley and Slideshare, from the internet to organise your PhD life better.

5. REGISTER FOR RELEVANT WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES

If you are a new PhD student who has not been involved in any type of academic research before, you would need to foster research skills before you could conduct PhD research on your own. In order to develop the skills, you will have to participate in skill-enriching workshops, seminars and conferences, in addition to compulsory PhD modules.

While compulsory modules are to be attended mandatorily, seminars, workshops and conferences are optional. You may attend some of the optional events to add to your research skills and knowledge by registering your interest for the same. What you need to do is discuss about your research needs with your supervisor in the very first week and seek to understand which all workshops, seminars and conferences you should attend to enhance your research skills and develop into a good PhD researcher.

6. GET ON WITH READING ACADEMIC ARTICLES, BOOKS, REPORTS AND PREVIOUS THESES

As a PhD student, you will have to read numerous journal articles, books, industry publications, reports and previous Theses to be able to complete your PhD Thesis successfully.

The more you read, the more you learn about your area of research. Extensive critical reading (also known as literature review) will help you understand what has been done in the field of your study before and find out the research gap that is worth addressing. So, get into the habit of reading so as to thrive as a PhD student from the very first week.

Now, you must be wondering how to go about finding out the academic publications that are worth reading? Well, you should consult your supervisor to seek a list of journal articles, books, reports and previous PhD Theses surrounding your research area and get hold of all the suggested academic publications with the help of university’s library for the purpose of reading and conducting literature review extensively.

7. SOCIALISE WITH FELLOW PHDs AND OTHERS AT YOUR UNIVERSITY

As human beings, we all crave for a good social life. So, get to know your fellow PhDs and other students at your university in the very first week.

It would not hurt to talk to other PhD students over a cup of coffee or lunch or dinner or BBQ party and discuss about their research work as well as yours amid non-academic conversations. Such conversations will help you learn about research experiences of other PhD students and prepare you for the challenges that you are most likely to face during your PhD journey ahead.

Additionally, if you are a fitness-freak, you could make friends with students at gym and sports club of the university and socialise with them.

You could also join the university’s student union to be able to participate in a wide variety of social and cultural events organised for its members.

Interaction with students at various events or places would make you feel alive, included and better prepared during your PhD. So, be social!

Hopefully, the above-mentioned activities will keep you engaged in your first week of PhD and lay down a strong foundation for a bright future ahead. Last but not the least, do share your first week’s experiences as a PhD by write to us at info@bookmyphdeditor.com or filling out our CONTACT US form. We would love to hear from you!

The post What You Should Do In Your First Week Of PhD appeared first on BookMyPhDEditor.