GUIDING CANDIDATES BEYOND THE PROJECT

Guiding candidates beyond the project getting published career development further research on-going mentoring Reference texts 1. Phillips, E.M. & Pugh, D.S. 1994. How to get a PhD: A handbook for students and their supervisors. Open University Press, Buckingham. 2. Okorocha, E. 1997. Supervising international students. The Society for Research into Higher Education, London. 3. Cryer, P. 1997. Handling common dilemmas in supervision. The Society for Research into Higher Education, London. 4. Medawar, P.A. 1981. Advice to a young scientist. Harper Collins, New York. Getting published Thesis structure • Getting published is the first important step in the professional development of the student. • PhD awarded based on several projects carried out to the standards of publishable papers in peer-reviewed academic journals. • Structure thesis chapters around research papers. • Set these targets at the start of the thesis research – structured proposal required. Getting published • Four „papers‟ in a PhD and two in a MSc. • Identify journals whose standard you seek to meet – read several representative papers from these journals. • If possible, publish project papers in reputable journals before the degree is awarded (difficult to do in 3 years). Publishing your work • Resist the temptation to „cherry-pick‟ from project papers. • Review thesis lay-out carefully – occasionally it is necessary to combine chapters to make one good paper. • Use a good bibliography program, such as Endnote. • Seek advice on your choice of academic journal before completing the final draft. Publishing your work • Pay attention to supervisor‟s advice – will have experienced the trials of publishing, you have not! • Start high and work down list of journals ranked in order of decreasing impact • Use track changes in editing factor. drafts - allows for rapid turnaround of scripts between supervisor and student. Publishing your work • Be prepared for rejection by a journal. It happens to everyone. Most journals have a 60-70% rejection rate. • Do not give up or become lazy if your work is initially rejected – ensure that you adopt the style conventions of each journal to the letter. Writing your first paper • Begin with a concise title. • Start with the introduction. Do not be tempted to skip to methods and results. • Do not over reference the introduction – restrict yourself to begin with to the 10 most relevant papers. The introduction • First paragraph – provide context or theoretical basis of your work - identify what your paper contributes to the field in broad terms. • Second paragraph – provide background and comparative detail; introduce controversies and contradictions, similarities and knowledge gaps in topic. • Third paragraph – state hypothesis, predictions and aims. Methods and Results • When introduction is complete - write methods and results. • Make sure results are as complete as possible, including quality figures and well constructed tables, before moving on to the discussion. Discussion • Start discussion with a brief summary of main findings - it provides a focus for developing the discussion. • Discuss the main points raised in the introduction - address the hypothesis and the stated aims. • Finish with a commentary relevant to the main thrust of the journal. For example, if an ecological journal, state how your findings advance the understanding of ecological theory or practice. Before submitting • “Bottom-draw” the manuscript – take a break of a day or two – then read and edit the MS one last time before submitting. • Pay attention to figures and tables so that they do not let you down – do not duplicate results in tables and figures. Career development “Students expect their supervisors to be sufficiently involved in their success to help them get a good job at the end of it all”. One action guaranteed to prevent a student obtaining a PhD is “…taking a new job before finishing” Phillips and Pugh (1994) Nurturing career opportunities • Being a full professional means being able to contribute fully to academic life – supervisor‟s job to help prepare the student for this. • Avoid absentee supervisors – usually high-flyers who students believe will increase their chances of employment later on. Nurturing career opportunities • Students must learn to speak from the floor and give papers of their own. • Encourage students to give seminars and to attend seminars given by others. • Sit in on practice runs – strike balance between entertaining and presenting a dry topic. • Do not labour methods. Focus on results. • Present at a national or international conference in the final (write-up) year. Nurturing career opportunities • Help students gain the confidence to question and comment on what has been presented by the speaker – discourage mean questions! • Accompany student to conferences and effect introductions. • Introduce them to your network of contacts. • Encourage contact with colleagues working in the same field. Career development • Facilitate progression into academic life by giving them occasional tutoring work or the opportunity to review a paper (that you have already reviewed). • Do not create unrealistic expectations – can inadvertently create a monster – overinflated sense of own importance. • Increase exposure to other aspects of discipline. Career development • Discuss options early in the write-up phase (i.e. a year before completion) • Apply for opportunities throughout final year –tour of labs (after completion). • Discuss career path - identify niche avoid competing with well-established researchers, other students or colleagues. Career development • Medawar - move on after PhD and experience new challenges. • Important for career development to experience other environments, ideas and approaches to research. • Don‟t burn out early – excitement of being a new graduate - „leader‟. • Take a break after the PhD – do something different for at least a while. References and representation • Writing references – discuss strengths and weaknesses with student and be clear about what you are prepared to say in a reference. • Never write a dishonest reference – be honest with the student and prospective employers – no surprises for either. • Represent your students to colleagues where you can – sow the seeds – the student can always turn down offers. Ongoing mentoring • Stay in touch and be supportive – help with proposal writing, budgeting, interacting with colleagues. • Help in small ways does matter – discuss the political environment of employment openly – develop a sense of belonging and accountability.