Front cover -- Half title page -- Title page -- Copyright page -- Dedication -- Contents -- List of figures -- List of tables -- Acknowledgements -- 1 Introduction -- Who is this book for? -- Why choose this book? -- How to read and use the book -- Who we are: the authors -- 2 Getting started -- The nature of a doctoral degree: mind the gap! -- Make a contribution, do not reinvent the wheel -- Doing research is like doing a puzzle -- Determination beats brilliance -- Academia is not (always) an ivory tower -- A doctorate is different to a Master's degree -- Advantages and disadvantages of doing a doctorate -- Concluding note -- The application process -- Selecting a university and department -- Selecting a supervisor -- Writing a research proposal -- Preparing and submitting your documents -- Entering the academic community -- Registration -- The doctorate -- 3 Managing the self -- Make sure your basic needs are met first -- Physical/financial -- Social/relational -- Emotional/psychological -- Figure out how you learn best and what motivates you -- Common demotivators and potential solutions -- So many things to do, so little time: the magnitude of the task -- I don't know what to do: lack of direction -- The same thing all over again: the repetitiveness of the task -- I'm bored: limited attention span -- Everything else is more fun: never-ending distractions -- I'm afraid to fail: big shadows -- Keeping sight of the end goal -- 4 Dealing with your supervisor -- The nature of supervision -- Differing aims and expectations of doctoral students and supervisors -- Developing a relationship with your supervisor -- Communication is the key -- Coping with different supervisor styles -- Dealing with the perfect supervisor -- Dealing with the supportive supervisor -- Dealing with the idealistic supervisor -- Dealing with the inexperienced supervisor.

Dealing with the ignorant supervisor -- Dealing with the absent supervisor -- Dealing with the awkward supervisor -- Dealing with the demanding supervisor -- Dealing with the selfish supervisor -- Dealing with the arrogant supervisor -- Dealing with the friendly supervisor -- Changing supervisor(s) and/or university -- Being supervised by a committee of supervisors -- 5 Sidelines of a doctorate -- Publications -- 'Publish or perish' -- Types of publication outlet -- Decisions involved in publishing -- The publication process -- Conferences -- Going to conferences: decisions and steps -- Key messages -- Teaching -- Networking -- Types of contact -- Building and maintaining relationships -- Professional development -- Opportunities -- Access -- Balance -- Exchanges -- 6 Finances -- Scholarships and bursaries -- Scholarships, bursaries and grants: the basics -- University and departmental funding -- Public bodies and institutions -- Private organizations -- Self-funding -- Teaching/research assistantships -- Part-time work -- UK employment and international students -- Own resources -- 7 Politics -- University structures -- The generic university structure -- Staff structure -- Why politics happen -- Early warning signs -- Avoiding messy situations -- What to do once you are caught up in politics -- Escalating and withdrawing -- Seeking support and allying -- Compromises and alternatives -- Negotiate and fight -- Using the political game to your advantage -- Bluffing -- Undercutting others -- Hold out for better offers: negotiation tactics -- So - what's the verdict? -- 8 Alternative routes to a doctorate -- Part-time, distance learning and mature doctorates -- Overseas and international doctorates -- Executive or professional doctorates -- Doctorate by publication -- 9 Career paths and strategies -- The academic career -- Fellowships -- Lectureships.

Doctoral strategies for an academic career -- The industrial career -- Company employment -- Consultancy -- Government institutions and non-profit organizations -- Doctoral strategies for an industrial career -- The hybrid career -- Doctoral strategies for a hybrid career -- The undecided career -- Doctoral strategies for an undecided career -- Active career development -- Being aware of stereotypes -- 10 Getting out: the viva and beyond -- The viva voce -- What is a viva and what does it look like? -- Selecting and appointing the examiners -- Preparing for the viva -- Conduct during the viva -- The post-viva period -- Leaving early -- Life after the doctorate -- Interaction with former colleagues and supervisors -- Letting go and moving on -- References -- Index -- Back cover.

Intends to present student perspectives (via case studies) on doing a PhD and offers potential PhD candidates an insight into 'real life'. This title also presents a light-hearted approach which looks at the everyday interpersonal, social and environmental issues associated with doing a PhD from application through to graduation.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2018. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.