Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
List of figures
List of tables
Preface
Acknowledgements
Permissions
Resources
Disclaimer
Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduction
Chapter 1: Introduction
Part I: Motivation
Chapter 2: Focus on the why
Part II: Organisation
Chapter 3: Approaches, resources, and requirements
Chapter 4: Planning and project management
Chapter 5: Research and critical thinking
Chapter 6: Thesis structure, literature review, and checklists
Part III: Progress
Chapter 7: Progress, mindsets, and momentum
Chapter 8: Writing and editing
Chapter 9: Staying on track and deadlines
Chapter 10: Feedback and setbacks
Chapter 11: The viva
Part IV: Wellbeing
Chapter 12: Focus on self
Chapter 13: Conclusion
Using the study guide
Benefits and expectations
Types of doctorates
Learning goals
Doctoral degree outcomes
Commitment
Completion rates
Completion triggers
Summary
Useful resources and references
References
Resources
Part I: Motivation:
Chapter 2: Focus on the why
Introduction
Pivoting
Exercise: Pivoting I: Something needs to change
Exercise: Pivoting II. Maintaining balance
Mindset
Growth and Fixed Mindsets
Exercise: How will my life change?
Exercise: Pivoting III. Why should I change?
Mastery
Meditation/reflection
Exercise: Pivoting IV. My ideal day
Exercise: Pivoting V. Which path is right for me?
Application checklist
Summary
Useful resources and references
References
Part II: Organisation:
Chapter 3: Approaches, resources, and requirements
Introduction
Well begun is half done
Adopting a Design Thinking approach to your doctorate
Scalable part-time Doctoral Framework
Exercise: My Doctoral Framework
Typical resources for part-time and self-funded candidates
Requirements
Building a sense of belonging
Actions at the start of a doctorate
Developing a research topic
Where do I start?
Exercise: Where do I start? Develop a draft research proposal
Exercise: Self-reflection on the first draft of the research proposal
PhD Agreement
Doctoral education planning
Supervision agreements
Education and financial support (if available)
Balancing work and the doctorate
Data management plan
Exercise: Elements of a data management plan
Doctoral Education Programme
Review meeting (annual)
Meet peers and join the PhD community
Taking action
Exercise: Prepare a 5-minute presentation on your research
Actions in the middle of a doctorate
Actions towards the end of a doctorate
Preparing to cross the finish line
Countdown to the dissertation and defence
Doctoral defence
Edits and completion
After completion
Technology
Technology resources
Handy tools
Reference management tools
Note and task-management tools
Writing tools
Academic search tools
Productivity tools
Artificial intelligence
Writing and artificial intelligence
Summary
Useful resources and references
References
A selection of useful resources
Chapter 4: Planning and project management
Introduction
Project Management. Own your doctorate
Exercise: Pivoting IV. What are my challenges?
Exercise: Pivoting VII. How will I know I have reached my goal?
Exercise: Pivoting VIII. What if?
Mindset and project management
Planning
Exercise: Right from the start. Early-stage planning
Sprint
Words of advice
At the start of the doctorate
Throughout the doctorate
Desk/home office set-up
Summary
Useful resources and references
References
Resources
Chapter 5: Research and critical thinking
Introduction
Research
Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods
Design the right thing
Identify the doctoral topic/the research question
Methodology (rationale)
Primary research/Collect the data
Examine the data. Cluster into themes
Formulate the findings
Analyse and synthesise. Implications and results
Design things right
Test, iterate, validate results
Research integrity
Useful research strategies
Helpful research terminology
Critical thinking
Exercise: Connect back to the why
Exercise: Integrate into the work plan
Summary
Useful resources and references
References
A selection of useful resources
Chapter 6: Thesis structure, literature review, and checklists
Introduction
Literature Review
Literature review checklist and questions
Generic thesis structure and checklist
Context
Format
Front matter
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Literature review
Chapter 3: Methodology
Chapter 4: Findings
Chapter 5: Analysis and synthesis
Chapter 6: Conclusion
Back matter
Reporting guidelines/university guidelines
Exercise: Connect back to the why
Exercise: Integrate into the work plan
Summary
Part II: Organisation summary
Useful resources and references
References
Resources
Part III: Progress:
Chapter 7: Progress, mindsets, and momentum
Introduction
Finished is better than perfect
Progress and perfection
Mindset and completion
Exercise: Self-reflection. Doctoral Enablers
Exercise: Embrace your Fixed Mindset
Maintaining momentum
Summary
Key terms
Useful resources and references
References
Resources
Chapter 8: Writing and editing
Introduction
Why clear, concise, and understandable writing is important
Typical writing process
Writing and editing
Decision-making (what to keep and delete)
Arguments and logical fallacies
What is an argument?
What is a logical fallacy?
Doctorates, arguments and logical fallacies
Glossary of fallacies
Ad hominem fallacy
Ambiguity
Anecdotal
Appeal to authority
Appeal to emotion
Appeal to hypocrisy/tu quoque fallacy
Appeal to ignorance/burden of proof fallacy
Appeal to nature
Appeal to pity/ad misericordiam
Bandwagon fallacy
Begging the question
Black or white
Burden of proof
Causal fallacy
Circular argument
Composition
Division
Equivocation
Fallacy fallacy
False dilemma/dichotomy
Gamblerโs fallacy
Genetic
Hasty generalisation
Loaded question
Middle ground
No true Scotsman
Personal incredulity
Red herring fallacy
Slippery slope fallacy
Special pleading
Straw man argument
Sunk cost fallacy
Texas sharpshooter
Long-form writing
Verbosity and language choice
Writing to establish a credible academic voice
In search of academic authenticity
Writing tips
Ten writing habit tips
Effective feedback on written work. Tips for success
Exercise: Playing with writing styles
Tips for when I donโt understand
Tips to bullet-proof your work
Exercise: Connect back to the why
Exercise: Integrate into the work plan
Closing thought
Summary
Key terms
Useful resources and references
References
A selection of useful resources
Chapter 9: Staying on track and deadlines
Introduction
Staying on track
Incrementally build success
Own the process โ there is always something to do
Potential tasks
Exercise: Filler tasks
Daily exercise: Reflection
Weekly exercise: Words versus action
Exercise: Important versus urgent
Monthly exercise: Reverse bucket list
Deadlines
Journaling: awareness, self-reflection, and relevance
Getting things done
Summary
Key terms
Useful resources and references
References
Resources
Chapter 10: Feedback and setbacks
Introduction
Types of feedback
Exercise: Feedback framework
When you get stuck
Ten tips for when you get stuck
Setbacks
Exercise: Plans change
Errors
Summary
Key terms
Useful resources and references
References
Chapter 11: The viva
Introduction
Preparing for the Viva
Good viva/thesis defence preparation
Transfer exam/viva checklist
Preparing the presentation
What will they ask?
Summary
Key terms
Useful resources and references
References
Resources
Part IV: Wellbeing
Chapter 12: Focus on self
Introduction
Understanding why you feel the way you do
Wheel of Lifeยฎ
Health and wellbeing
Money
Action
Career
Friends and family
Personal and spiritual growth
Physical environment
Significant others
The role of the supervisor
Peer-to-peer support
What would you do?
Scenario I. Sleep
Scenario II. Habits
Examples of steps I can take to stay organised and focused
Scenario III. Support
Scenario IV. Continue, defer, or stop
Scenario V.ย What will it take?
Scenario VI.ย Friends and family
Scenario VII. What you say versus what you do
What writers say is an ideal routine
How I say I work
What really happens
Find ways of working that suit you
Exercise: Track my word count/activity
Scenario VIII. Keep going
Summary
Useful resources and references
References
Resources
Chapter 13: Conclusion
I have my doctorate. Now what?
One final thought
Summary
Useful resources and references
Resources
PS
Index