Typically, supervisors do not spend much time discussing with their students the reasons why students fail to make progress on their doctorates or give up entirely – maybe they think it is too personal.
I think that it is useful to discuss the reasons why people let their project stagnate or even die. I don’t think the topic should be continually assessed but it should be discussed at some stage.
Why? Because the reasons why students fail to make progress need to be out in the open and can help in overcoming some of the difficulties that may arise. The reasons are not secrets and can be traced to a set of common factors.
Progress in doctoral studies is usually hampered by the following:
1) Failure to identify a topic for a doctorate within a reasonable time frame.
Possible causes are: lack of meetings with the supervisor, inability to commit to a suitable topic.
2) Starting a research project thinking that everything should be absolutely clear from day one! This is never the case! When a student discovers that after three months of research a clear picture of what he/she is doing does not emerge then disillusionment with the process may set in.
Tip: Expect to feel a sense of confusion – this is the nature of research. It is often confusing in the early stages and it takes time for clarity and ideas to emerge; it will only be in the later stages that your ideas will really crystallise.
3) The supervisor retires or moves to another university and they find it difficult to find a new supervisor.
Tip: This can be a difficult situation. Ask questions such as: Can your first supervisor still remain involved in the supervision? Can a team of academics supervise you and give you advice? You may just have to accept what has happened and make the best of the new situation. Realise it is your doctorate and it is up to you to take ownership of it.
4) Insufficient meetings or time spent with their supervisor making progress slow.
Tip: Organise more meetings with your supervisor and prepare for them (see later chapter that explains how to prepare for meetings with your supervisor). If your supervisor is unresponsive then it can be more difficult to address – I discuss this issue later also.
5) Events in the student’s personal life compete too much with the doctorate and something has to give!
Tip: Better management of personal life versus doctorate balance.
6) The initial reason for taking a doctorate was not strong enough.
Tip: Find a reason for doing the doctorate and determine if you really want to complete it.
7) The doctorate was always going to take second (or even third) place to other things.
Tip: Reorganise your priorities if you want to complete. Revisit your reasons for starting. Put it number one in your priorities or at least equal first.
www.CompletePhD.com
I think that it is useful to discuss the reasons why people let their project stagnate or even die. I don’t think the topic should be continually assessed but it should be discussed at some stage.
Why? Because the reasons why students fail to make progress need to be out in the open and can help in overcoming some of the difficulties that may arise. The reasons are not secrets and can be traced to a set of common factors.
Progress in doctoral studies is usually hampered by the following:
1) Failure to identify a topic for a doctorate within a reasonable time frame.
Possible causes are: lack of meetings with the supervisor, inability to commit to a suitable topic.
2) Starting a research project thinking that everything should be absolutely clear from day one! This is never the case! When a student discovers that after three months of research a clear picture of what he/she is doing does not emerge then disillusionment with the process may set in.
Tip: Expect to feel a sense of confusion – this is the nature of research. It is often confusing in the early stages and it takes time for clarity and ideas to emerge; it will only be in the later stages that your ideas will really crystallise.
3) The supervisor retires or moves to another university and they find it difficult to find a new supervisor.
Tip: This can be a difficult situation. Ask questions such as: Can your first supervisor still remain involved in the supervision? Can a team of academics supervise you and give you advice? You may just have to accept what has happened and make the best of the new situation. Realise it is your doctorate and it is up to you to take ownership of it.
4) Insufficient meetings or time spent with their supervisor making progress slow.
Tip: Organise more meetings with your supervisor and prepare for them (see later chapter that explains how to prepare for meetings with your supervisor). If your supervisor is unresponsive then it can be more difficult to address – I discuss this issue later also.
5) Events in the student’s personal life compete too much with the doctorate and something has to give!
Tip: Better management of personal life versus doctorate balance.
6) The initial reason for taking a doctorate was not strong enough.
Tip: Find a reason for doing the doctorate and determine if you really want to complete it.
7) The doctorate was always going to take second (or even third) place to other things.
Tip: Reorganise your priorities if you want to complete. Revisit your reasons for starting. Put it number one in your priorities or at least equal first.
www.CompletePhD.com
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