Marian Petre

Gordon Rugg

The Unwritten Rules of PhD Research (Study Skills)

Enter the competition! "A breath of fresh air - I wish someone had told me this beforehand." PhD student, UK "If you are contemplating a PhD, buy the book and read it straight through to get the larger picture; then re-read each section in greater detail as you tackle each stage of your work. I did the basic research for my PhD in about twelve months, then spent two years writing up the results - and producing possibly too much. It succeeded, but I think I might have made a better job of it if I had read a book like this first. But they didn't exist in those days." Mantex This book looks at things the other books don't tell you about doing a PhD - what it's really like and how to come through it with a happy ending! It covers all the things you wish someone had told you before you started: What a PhD is really about, and how to do one well The "unwritten rules" of research and of academic writing What your supervisor actually means by terms like "good referencing" and "clean research question" How to write like a skilled researcher How academic careers really work An ideal resource if someone you care about (including yourself!) is undergoing or considering a PhD. This book turns lost, clueless students back into people who know what they are doing, and who can enjoy life again.

The Unwritten Rules of PhD Research

What can chess masters teach us about how humans become experts? Why can't race car drivers explain decisions they've made behind the wheel? What does predicting the winner of a soccer match say about our ability to make the right choice? When we talk about experts, we typically have bought into the idea that they have all the answers. Now, in this groundbreaking book, Gordon Rugg exposes the surprising ways in which all people tend to make the same sorts of mistakes, regardless of what field they are in, how smart they are, or even their level of expertise. Focusing on why and how we make decisions, Rugg offers insight into what motivates us, how we fail to find the answers we are looking for, how we can learn to ask the essential questions, and more. Rugg has devoted his life to learning how experts solve problems. He gained international attention after arguing persuasively that the famous Voynich Manuscript is a hoax. Now, he demonstrates his techniques in the Verifier Method, which can be applied to any seemingly unsolvable problem. Drawing on his personal odyssey in the field of human expertise, Rugg makes astute and entertaining conclusions about how and why we inevitably fail, and explains how to make better mistakes, work backward, and reengineer the ways we pursue success.

Why We Fail to See the Solution Right in Front of Us

Blind Spot

IF YOU ARE ABOUT TO DO A RESEARCH PROJECT, THEN THIS IS THE IDEAL GUIDE FOR YOU. A Gentle Guide to Research Methodsexplains what research is, andguides you through choosing and using the method best suited to yourneeds, with detailed examples from a wide range of disciplines. It alsogives you practical nuts and bolts advice about how to avoid classicproblems and how to get the most out of your project. Written in a down-to-earth and highly accessible style, this unique bookprovides an overview of the big picture of research and of how this linksto practical details. It covers the whole process of conducting research,including: Choosing a research topic and research design Data collection methods Data analysis and statistics Writing up The authors also provide invaluable advice about planning your researchso that it can help you with your career plans and life aspirations. Drawing on numerous examples from student projects,A Gentle Guideto Research Methodswill guide you through your project towards ahappy ending.

A Gentle Guide to Research Methods

Returning in its 3rd edition, this bestselling book on the process of PhD research provides friendly, engaging, and realistic advice on how to complete your doctorate. Updated throughout, the book will guide you through the basics as well as covering aspects that other books don't usually mention, including: • What a PhD is really about and how to do one well • How to decipher what your supervisor actually means by terms like 'good referencing' and 'clean research question' • How to design, report and defend your research The authors offer an accessible, down-to-earth, and insightful account of the whole PhD process. Their advice addresses how to avoid some of the pitfalls en route to a successful submission. Key features: • Thinking about your career from the outset of your PhD (rather than at the end) • Tips for “sniffing” a paper to make your reading quicker and more efficient • Understanding cultural differences in research • Networking for research success • Sensible guidelines for using social media in your research • Guidance on project management – especially important for part-time students The Unwritten Rules of PhD Research is essential reading for anyone considering a PhD, embarking on one, or stuck in the middle and unsure where to turn. It will tell you things many students wish someone had told them before they started. “The course of a PhD never did ‘run smooth’. This new edition of unwritten rules covers everything the doctoral student needs to know for a smoother passage with informal yet scholarly advice, ranging from improving the writing process, creating networks, completing the thesis, and even what to wear for the viva – a complete guide to the tacit guidelines sometimes left unsaid.” Professor Jerry Wellington, University of Sheffield, UK

Gordon Rugg

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