Writing a thesis study is the pinnacle of your academic education. This guide explains how to decide your thesis question and plan for, begin, and conduct your thesis study.
Best practices
Build relationships
It is essential to develop a good working relationship with your supervisor, secondary supervisors, other PhD students, and support staff. There will be days when you feel frustrated and want to give up. Talking to your peers will provide encouragement. This is also a great way to troubleshoot any problems you may have been unable to resolve. For example, if an experimental technique is not working, other students may be experiencing the same issue, and collaboration can quickly resolve it.
Relationships with support staff are just as valuable as those with academic staff. Treat them with respect, and they will be willing to go the extra mile for you (e.g., fixing the copy machine when they were about to go home).Without a doubt, the most important relationship is with your PhD supervisor. As an expert in their field, they have a working knowledge of your subject area and are up to date with the latest developments. You will meet regularly for formal one-on-one meetings to discuss your research progress, where you will receive guidance and constructive feedback. Informal discussions are also appropriate when you have an immediate concern, so feel free to pop by their office or drop a quick email if you need some advice. Remember, your success reflects on theirs, and they expect you to come to them if you have a pressing issue.
Participate in department or research group activities
Build relationships with fellow PhD students and staff members in your department by attending research seminars, field trips, and journal clubs. Also, attend any organized social events; they are great networking opportunities.
What if I don’t get along with my supervisor?
Your relationship with your supervisor is crucial to your academic success. They are the first point of contact if you encounter problems with your thesis study, and you should be comfortable working with them. Address any communication issues as soon as possible. Often, they may be unaware that there is an issue and will appreciate you bringing it to their attention. Usually, a frank and open discussion will resolve the problem. For example, let your supervisor know if you feel that you are not be receiving enough feedback or that they are micromanaging you. Do not feel intimidated—supervisors were also PhD students at one time!
If you can’t resolve the issue between yourselves, ask one of your secondary supervisors, another staff member, or your head of department to act as a mediator. A change in supervisors must be the last resort. You are likely to encounter this person again; be cordial, and don’t burn bridges.
Steps for writing a thesis study
Refine your research question
Once you have identified a field that interests you, narrow it down to decide exactly what you want to research. Research questions can be practical (e.g., a process that does not work properly or an issue faced by a specific group of people) or theoretical (e.g., relationships or opposing theories that have not been evaluated).
Your supervisor may already have projects in mind where they need a PhD student to build on existing work in their research group. Alternatively, you might identify a gap or contradiction in the literature that you think requires further investigation, or you might be continuing your existing research by building on the findings of your Master’s degree.
Plan your thesis study
Planning is the cornerstone to successful research. You may have already written a research proposal, which you can use to plan your research steps. Perform a literature review to familiarize yourself with your field of research. If you are aiming for a PhD degree after your Master’s degree, you may already have done this, but you should still check for new publications in the field since your last literature review.
Plan your thesis study using the SMART objectives:
- Specific
- Your research question must be specific and not vague.
- Measurable
- Your research results must be measurable, either quantitatively or qualitatively, in a practical and cost-effective manner.
- Achievable
