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What is a Ph.D.?
FAQs on Ph.D. | Ph.D. is a doctorate degree, a Doctor of Philosophy, which comes from the Latin word that means “to teach” and the Greek word that means “love of wisdom”. It is a process where one becomes a subject expert in the topic in which one is really interested in learning and expanding knowledge.
A Ph.D. degree can be pursued only when post-graduation and graduation are completed with more than 55% throughout academics. There must be a qualifying exam for the candidate to get admission into a college or university. A Ph.D. is all about patience. It is considered as the highest degree course for 3 to 5 years. The prefix “Dr” is usually attached before a Ph.D. person.
Ph.D. starts with a research proposal that contains research questions, methodology, research analysis, data interpretation, etc. This is important because you’re supposed to write a thesis of about a thousand words.
A thesis is a long piece of work that is done under the guidance of a supervisor and defined before the Examiner panel at the time of final submission. You are also encouraged to publish in academic journals. In some countries, there may be some teaching and some coursework also involved.
Why is Ph.D. research important?
A Ph.D. is all about creating knowledge and discovering new things. It helps in developing a research attitude towards wider research and investigation work. Students work with academic faculty on projects of equivalent complexity and significance. By doing a Ph.D. you will prepare yourself for the research skills needed to advance human understanding of life, the universe, and everything.
Types of Doctorates
There are many types of doctorates, including full-time, part-time, executive, and many more. We would discuss this in a video series one by one. So, keep checking our YouTube channel as well.
FAQs on Ph.D.
Generally, while starting to do a Ph.D. The first question that comes to mind is…
Q 1 What to do a Ph.D. with? (FAQs on Ph.D.)
There are many subjects to choose from. But, the one you will select is the one you want to specialise with which you have completed your graduate and postgraduate studies. You will be mastering a particular subject, and you will be called an expert in that subject.
Q 2 How to do well in a Ph.D.? (FAQs on Ph.D.)
Once you have mastered these solutions, you are ready to outperform in your Ph.D. Given below are a few points:
- You will find one particular idea, methodology, and result. So, stop the mental processes going on while doing a Ph.D. Everything will fall in place eventually. Reading, learning, thinking, and knowing how to do something takes time. There is research material available, like more books, authors, questions which can open your mental doors
- Maintain a research diary and keep a record of the decisions you made. Find happiness in your small progress. Remember that inspiration does exist, but it has to find you working. It is okay to feel like you are not motivated as work is constant, very far, very long.
- Quantitative research helps you keep track of the variables. Suppose, if you have a data set with more than 3000 variables and more than 25,000 cases, then in that case some information might be at the individual level, some at the household level, or some at the macroeconomic level. You can put everything together and maintain a record.
- Find mistakes and replicate the analysis and never ever change the original data set. Do not just keep researching to find new ideas. It is very important to focus on the content which needs to be built and what needs not to be. Remember leaving things out also helps you to make progress.
- Indulge in activities other than research, such as talking with other people and discussing other than Ph.D. and all your feelings. Find interest in hobbies and other activities. Thus, keep a healthy emotional connection.
Q3 How many hours do you need to work? (FAQs on Ph.D.)
A minimum of 35 hours per week as a Ph.D. is full-time academic research with funded projects called a research fellowship or stipend. The number of hours input varies from time to time.
Q4 Do PhDs have exams? (FAQs on Ph.D.)
Yes, but not the sort of theoretical exams that students are used to. There is a viva exam at the end of various course-works by the examiner panel who reads your thesis thoroughly and asks questions. At that time, a student needs to prove that the work presented by them has been done by them. Many institutes conduct this rehearsal-viva, at the end of the first year as well.
Q5 Can you work while doing a Ph.D.? (FAQs on Ph.D.)
Working is not a good idea while studying for a Ph.D. on a full-time basis. Even, you are not authorised, if you are funded by any institution or agency. You are allowed for part-time work in a few cases, but you should get your supervisor’s advice before you commit to an additional workload.
Learn from Ridhi Aggarwala’s Experience
Q6 What’s it like to do a Ph.D.? (FAQs on Ph.D.)
No two Ph.D. experiences are exactly the same, but you can read and watch a wide range of real student stories on our Inkpothub website. You can expect a lot of research work, but done under your own terms and conditions, own targets.
You work hard for your own paper. You do not need to pass exams as such. Your writing is one part, but research is another part. For a little more detail, check out our guide to the daily life of a Ph.D. student.
Q7 Are PhDs graded? (FAQs on Ph.D.)
Your performance is judged based on your viva exam. If your performance is good, then you will be awarded the Ph.D. degree with no further work or with minor corrections in your thesis. You will receive an MPhil (Master of Philosophy) if work is not satisfactory. You may fail as well if you do not perform up to standards.
In the next blog, we will discuss Ph.D. Fellowships, Teaching Assistantship, Types of funding, Taxation on a Ph.D. student, Employability scope. We will be discussing them all one by one.
Keep visiting Inkpothub….
Keywords
Research proposal, Questions, Justification, Methodology, Supervisor (s), Examiners, Academic Journals, Coursework.
http://inkpothub.com/fellowships-and-scholarships/doctoral-post-doctoral-scholarships-in-management-in-india/
http://inkpothub.com/research-insights/three-papers-phd-thesis/
