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This book identifies the skills and strategies which make for success as a postgraduate research student and offers practical advice which can be readily adapted to meet individual needs.
"...{The first edition of Professor Cryer's book was} absolutely outstanding, in four main respects. First, it is comprehensive in its scope, covering everything from applying to undertaking a research degree. Second, it is applicable to PhDs across the board. Third, the book is exceptionally well written and highly readable. Finally, at each stage Pat Cryer has included questions and exercises to enable readers to reflect on their practice, check out whether they are on track and, if not, discover how they might return themselves to it. Overall, Pat Cryer has made a major contribution to the field and produced a quite exceptional book. It ought to be compulsory reading for intending or actual postgraduates and for academic staff teaching research training programmes." Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education "...the Research Student's Guide to Success certainly does what it promises on the cover and every research student should find it a very valuable companion." Journal of Graduate Education The second edition of this Open University set book is, like the first edition, for postgraduate research students wherever the language of instruction is English. Irrespective of their field of study, it will make their research programmes and day-to-day lives more productive and enjoyable. The book is easy to dip into and is in conversational style. Interest and realism are added through anecdotes, extracts from the literature and pithy quotations. The second edition is a complete revision of the original. New emphases include: the needs of the growing number of part time postgraduates; a wider understanding of the term 'research student' to embrace all postgraduate students undertaking research, whether for traditional PhDs and MPhils or within programmes such as professional doctorates, 'taught' masters degrees, diplomas and certificates; information technology as a day-to-day tool. There are also two new chapters: one on options for postgraduate study and research and the other on skills development and employment issues. There is a foreword by Professor Sir Martin Harris, Chair of the National UK Review of Postgraduate Education.
A must read for all research students! “The core material in Professor Cryer’s previous editions is classic. I welcome this new edition setting it into current contexts.” – PhD supervisor “When I was doing my own PhD, Pat Cryer’s book was my constant reference companion. Now I am recommending her latest edition to my own students.” – PhD supervisor Insightful, wide-ranging and accessible, this is an invaluable tool for postgraduate research students and for students at all levels working on research projects, irrespective of their field of study. This edition has been thoroughly revised to accommodate the changes in postgraduate education over recent years. Additional material and new emphases take into account: the QAA Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Programmes recommendations of the Roberts Review the needs of the growing number of ‘overseas’ research students employment issues (including undergraduate teaching) the Internet as a resource for research. There are new chapters on: developing the research proposal succeeding as an ‘overseas’ research student ethics in research personal development planning (PDP)
Presents a guide to writing a research paper, covering such topics as finding sources, taking research notes, creating an outline, writing the first draft, and completing the final version.
`I believe this book would work well for a variety of methodology courses, and I would direct students and colleagues to use it' - Norman K Denzin, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
This text offers researchers practical hints and advice as well as support/guidance in planning, carrying out, writing up and publishing research findings. Topics covered include: information handling; time and self-management; writing; dealing with others; and publishing and profile.
This guide to supervising doctoral research is a practical handbook for both the novice and the experienced higher degree supervisor. It looks at how to get students to produce good PhD theses on time, and how to prevent failed theses.
It is not hard to be a research active academic, or to build a research group, or to create a research culture. Here are sensible strategies available to everyone, and that empower everyone in higher education. Seizing the opportunities, refusing to be a victim, and – most importantly – learning how the system works, are among the strategies available to anyone motivated to succeed. This book takes a radical, unstuffy look at higher education. It is of interest and relevance to anyone working in the higher education sector. Based on the authors’ research on research groups, and on their experience as Head of Department, Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor, the book provides advice for younger academics making their way in the system, and for more senior people who need to mentor research staff, build research groups and shape research-led careers. The book provides practical advice on key aspects of research activity: getting research grants, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and writing books. The current climate of research activity is discussed in the context of Research Assessment, and the context of ‘glittering prizes’.
When writing a dissertation or thesis, it is essential to produce a work that is well-structured and well-presented. Giving clear examples throughout, this book offers all the practical advice that students will need, when writing a dissertation or thesis. Part 1: Content - from the layout order of contents to the compilation of the bibliography and appendices Part 2: Presentation and Style - the details of how work should be presented and covering aspects such as writing styles, page numbers, margins and abbreviations. The first edition of this book contributed to improving countless dissertations and this new edition will continue to do the same - using the practical advice and guidance it offers could mean the difference between success and failure.
