The Postgraduate Research Handbook: Succeed with your MA, MPhil, EdD and PhD (Macmillan Research Skills, 16)

This lively and rigorous book provides guidance on planning and conducting postgraduate research. Divided into four parts, each of which looks at a different stage of the process, it covers everything from choosing a research area and selecting appropriate methodologies to analysing data and learning from feedback. Chapters contain both active and reflective tasks to help readers develop the skills needed to produce a high-quality dissertation or thesis and offer supportive advice on establishing successful working relationships with supervisors and peers. Clear and accessible in its approach, this book is an indispensable introduction to successful research for postgraduates of all disciplines. New to this Edition: - Fully revised and improved sections on methodology, theorising, engaging with the literature and life after research - Additional guidance on developing soft skills, such as communication and time management, and becoming an active member of the academic community Cover Contents List of Figures and Tables Acknowledgements 1 Introduction What the book does not do What the book does and how it is structured PART ONE: STARTING RESEARCH 2 Starting Your Postgraduate Research Why do an MA, MPhil, PhD or other Doctorate? Planning, key issues and suggestions Starting to think about developing a hypothesis and/or research questions 3 Choosing the Right Research Degree Types of degree Varieties of research degree Choosing your university and supervisor 4 Choosing Your Supervisor(s) Introduction Choosing your supervisor, and internal regulations Working with your supervisors: initial contracts and contacts Managing your supervisor Things to ask/not to ask your supervisor(s) Planning to get the most from your supervisor What research students can expect of supervisors – a brief summary Stages of supervisions – what you might expect at different stages Planning work and supervisions 5 Research Questions and Hypotheses Developing research questions or hypotheses for research proposals and the research The research process Stating your title Research questions Key stages – developing a hypothesis or research questions 'Operationalising' a concept Boundaries and gaps What kind of research is yours going to be? Stages of asking the research question 6 Research Methodologies Choosing research methodologies Methodology Research approaches Methodology, worldview, methods, data and research Using qualitative and quantitative research methods together 7 Conceptual Frameworks Research paradigms and perspectives Some examples of areas 8 Ethics and Confidentiality Typical procedures and their history 9 Writing a Research Proposal What do you want to research? How you can draw up a good proposal PART TWO: GETTING GOING – SUPERVISORS, TIME AND COMMUNITY 10 Managing Your Supervisor(s) Planning work and supervisions Learning contracts 11 Managing the Balancing Act Balancing what? Varieties of roles and activities – an audit What kind of balancing act suits you? 12 Managing Your Time and Tasks Good planning: long-, medium-and short-term management of time Overall planning and the cycle of research 13 Learning as a Research Student – Learning Approaches, Styles and Pitfalls Learning styles: deep, surface and strategic learning Disciplines What kind of learner are you? 14 Developing a Supportive Research Culture Locally and at a Distance Group/project team supervisions Self-managed groups and networks Peer pairing Peer support systems over a distance Using electronic and video links to support research students in their work Different modes of contact explored Other peer-support systems – establishing a research culture PART THREE: CARRYING OUT THE RESEARCH AND STARTING TO WRITE 15 Carrying out a Literature Review – Developing the Theoretical Perspectives Chapter A literature review/theoretical perspectives chapter International students – some particular issues Carrying out the literature review Writing the theoretical perspectives chapter 16 Methods in Brief Quantitative research methods – designing and using questionnaires Qualitative research methods – interviews, focus groups and observation Case study 1 Case study 2 17 Using Grounded Theory, Case Studies, Journals and Synectics Grounded theory Case studies Case study 1 Case study 2 Journals Synectics 18 Action Research and Practitioner-based Research Benefits of practitioner-based research Possible pitfalls or problems Action research Phenomenography 19 Problem-based or Enquiry-based Research and Problem Solving Stages of problem-based or enquiry-based research Case study 20 Research Methods for the Arts and Humanities The documenting, critiquing and creative continuum The form and shape of arts and humanities theses Case study 1 Case study 2 Researching your own creative work/using the creative in your research work PART FOUR: SUPPORT, PROGRESS, ANALYSIS, WRITING UP, THE VIVA, PRESENTATIONS AND AFTERWARDS 21 Being Organised, Keeping Records, Writing Up, Stage-by-Stage Time and task plan – key stages and obvious potentially difficult moments 22 Writing the Thesis or Dissertation Developing the framework of different chapters The shape of the thesis as it develops Models Elements of the structure of the thesis explained – and variants discussed 23 Overcoming Writing Blocks and Learning from Feedback Writing Analysis of narratives, interviews, interactions, cases Some ideas about the writing habit Developing writing 24 Analysing Data and Thinking about Findings Making sense of your data – interpretation and findings Managing data, both quantitative and qualitative Annotating Summarising and generalising Qualitative data activity Documentary analysis Findings 25 Learning from Feedback Working with supervisor and other feedback 26 Writing Transfer Documents and Progress Reports for MPhil, EdD and PhD Theses Open University (OU) EdD Transfer to a PhD MPhil, PhD and EdD – scope and differences Presentation issues to bear in mind as you carry on with your work 27 Writing Up: Definitions and Qualities of a Good MA, MPhil, EdD and PhD Thesis The Master's dissertation or thesis The EdD Definitions of a good dissertation or thesis Positive features in a successful MPhil and PhD Writing up 28 Preparing Your Thesis and Dissertation – Coherence, Conclusions and Conceptual Level Work The proposal – revisited 29 Preparing for and Undertaking Your Viva Being prepared Postgraduate viva Generic questions Stress management The viva voce – a brief outline 30 Dealing with Corrections – Life after the Viva... What next? Celebrate 31 Presentations, Conferences and Publishing Plan Prepare Practise Presentation Publications 32 Life After the Research 'Is there life after the research?' Bibliography Index

The second edition of this best-selling book will be as lively and accessible as the first edition. As a book, it helps to keep students' momentum going, helps them enjoy the process of research and ultimately ensures they can produce a high quality dissertation or thesis. Advice, support and both active and reflective tasks take the students through the stages of research as well as encouraging them to consider social and cultural issues, such as working with their supervisor and other researchers. It is the ideal companion for postgraduate students studying for an MA, MPhil, EdD or PhD, and will be useful for those supervisors looking for extra support for their students.