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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)
This book provides guidance and tools to help PhD students and junior faculty members successfully navigate and mature through the various stages of an academic career. Senior faculty members can use this book as a source of ideas to advise their PhD students and junior colleagues. This book presents knowledge that is seldom imparted in PhD programs, and organizes the same as advice and tools related to achieving success at research, teaching and service, all while maintaining work-life balance. The advice and tools provided are based on years of experience of the author and guest contributors, who have successfully navigated many of the same challenges and mentored many PhD students and junior faculty members. This book is suitable both for those who seek careers in research universities or universities that promote greater balance across research, teaching and service. Life in academia is like life in no other profession. The intellectual freedom in conducting research coupled with the ability to positively impact the lives of students through teaching makes it exciting and noble. The road to success in making a difference through knowledge creation (research), knowledge dissemination (teaching) and activities related to both (service) is riddled with many challenges. While PhD programs are designed to teach students the nitty gritty details of conducting research, few focus on the broad issues of how to build a successful research program, how to build an effective teaching portfolio and how to do deal with the many other challenges encountered. Navigating the broader challenges of academia is often accomplished by trial-and-error or ad-hoc mentoring one may receive. This book, which provides advice and tools, seeks to help researchers achieve success by navigating through these very challenges. The book comprises 20 chapters that are organized into five major sections: 1.Research 2.Managing the PhD program 3.Life after the PhD 4.Teaching and service 5.Broader advice In addition to the author, both junior and senior scholars have provided contributions to share their own experiences and observations of others who have been successful. The most important component of the book is the various tools (e.g., how-to advice, checklists) that are provided to help junior researchers head up the road to success and to arm senior researchers to guide junior researchers along the way. The various tools target the following six areas: 1.Building and sustaining a research program 2.Writing a paper 3.Responding to reviews 4.Planning and monitoring through various stages of the PhD program 5.Becoming an effective teacher 6.Achieving work-life balance
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)
This third edition of the classic "how-to" guide incorporates recent changes in policies and procedures of the NIH, with particular emphasis on the role of the Internet in the research proposal process. Completely revised and updated, it reveals the secrets of success used by seasoned investigators, and directs the reader through the maze of NIH bureaucracies. In addition to providing a detailed overview of the entire review process, the book also includes hundreds of tips on how to enhance proposals, excerpts from real proposals, and extensive Internet references. This book is essential to all scientists involved in the grant writing process. Key Features: * Considers the reviewer's perspective * Detailed presentation of the review process * All sections of the R01 proposal are reviewed * Hundreds of tips to enhance proposals * Includes the many recent changes in NIH policies * Includes many excerpts from real proposals * Provides extensive Internet references Benefits: * Increased competitiveness * Better priority scores * Less chance of triage * Increased award rates * Uses the system to advantage * Reveals strategies used by the "old pros"
Lecturers, why waste time waiting for the post to arrive? Request your e-inspection copy today! 'Brilliant little book! ... It's easy to follow and understand, full of practical hints and tips, helps to remove some of the pressures of uni life!' - Amazon review 'Really useful sections on reading and taking notes ... the bread and butter of student life.' - Amazon review Do you want to do better at university? Whether you're a student wanting to improve their study skills or a lecturer who wants to give their students a helping hand with their work, this book is for you. Packed with study tips and handy activities, this proven guide shows you step-by-step how to study effectively and make the best of your time - whatever level you're at. Whether you are going to university straight from school, a mature student, or an overseas student studying in the UK for the first time, you'll find out how to: Sail through those tricky first weeks Get the most out of lectures by understanding how you learn Learn techniques for academic writing and research Pass exams with flying colours Stay cool and cope with stress. Practical and interactive, this edition features six brand new chapters to arm you with even more essential skills including how to produce a dissertation, planning your career and focusing on building relationships with lecturers and other students to help you get ahead. Visit the Essential Study Skills Companion Website Launched with this edition is an improved and expanded companion website. Don't miss the extensive range of guidance and resources for both students and tutors, including video tips, study packs, practice exercises and other tools for you to use in both your preparation and actual work. SAGE Study Skills are essential study guides for students of all levels. From how to write great essays and succeeding at university, to writing your undergraduate dissertation and doing postgraduate research, SAGE Study Skills help you get the best from your time at university.
Each fall, thousands of eager freshmen descend on college and university campuses expecting the best education imaginable: inspiring classes taught by top-ranked professors, academic advisors who will guide them to a prestigious job or graduate school, and an environment where learning flourishes outside the classroom as much as it does in lecture halls. Unfortunately, most of these freshmen soon learn that academic life is not what they imagined. Classes are taught by overworked graduate students and adjuncts rather than seasoned faculty members, undergrads receive minimal attention from advisors or administrators, and potentially valuable campus resources remain outside their grasp. Andrew Roberts’ Thinking Student’s Guide to College helps students take charge of their university experience by providing a blueprint they can follow to achieve their educational goals—whether at public or private schools, large research universities or small liberal arts colleges. An inside look penned by a professor at Northwestern University, this book offers concrete tips on choosing a college, selecting classes, deciding on a major, interacting with faculty, and applying to graduate school. Here, Roberts exposes the secrets of the ivory tower to reveal what motivates professors, where to find loopholes in university bureaucracy, and most importantly, how to get a personalized education. Based on interviews with faculty and cutting-edge educational research, The Thinking Student’s Guide to College is a necessary handbook for students striving to excel academically, creatively, and personally during their undergraduate years.
