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- What criteria are used to assess the scholarly merit of a thesis?
- What is the level of conceptualization that is expected in doctoral theses?
- How can you prepare to defend your thesis?
- What is the most effective route to achieving your doctorate?
This book focuses specifically on how you, as a doctoral candidate, can raise your level of thinking about your chosen topic. Doing so will improve the quality of your research and ultimately contribute to knowledge. It also explores the nature of conceptualization which is sought by examiners in theses. As a candidate, the book provides those essential characteristics of doctorateness that examiners expect to find in your thesis.
The book will also appeal to supervisors, examiners and those who conduct workshops for doctoral candidates and supervisors.
This practical book includes extracts from theses, examiner reports and cameo accounts from doctoral examiners, supervisors and candidates. It also contains numerous visual models that explain relationships and processes for you to apply and use in your doctoral journey.
Based upon contemporary practice, Stepping Stones to Achieving your Doctorate is an essential tool for doctoral candidates, supervisors and examiners.
About the Author
Professor Vernon Trafford and Dr. Shosh Leshem have collaborated on researching into, and publishing on, the nature of doctorateness since 2002.
Vernon is Professor of Education at the Faculty of Education, Anglia Ruskin University, UK.
Shosh is Head of Teacher Training at Oranim Academic College of Education, Israel, and also lectures in TEFL at the Faculty of Teaching, Haifa University.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The diverse challenges currently facing supervisors around the world mean they can no longer rely on their discipline-based experience to adequately supervise students. This has compelled supervisors to resource material outside their research field to obtain guidance and deeper insights to effectively tackle the complexities of new era postgraduate research supervision. With "Stepping Stones", such needs are addressed
The aim of Trafford and Leshem's book is to explore the nature of the doctoral process that examiners expect candidates to display in their thesis. Astutely this topic is tackled both practically and perceptively. Sagely, the authors provide a valuable contribution to what is meant by "doctorateness" and a perceptive analysis of what is meant by the scholarly nature of the degree. These concerns are not covered in the numerous "how to do a PhD" books which currently dominate the market. Practically, the book focuses on the examination end point and works backwards in stages to the requirements needed to meet that goal. Whether a viva forms part of the examination process or not, the "Stepping Stones" laid out are a clear and instructive path to the endpoint. As a supervisor I found the practical directive on the architecture of a doctoral thesis and how this changes during the writing process enormously helpful. These changes prompted one of my past students to ruefully remark, "I learnt how to hit a moving target". Hopefully future students won't be as irritated by this exercise now that I am better equipped to supervise this exasperating stage of thesis writing. Staying with postgraduate students, the examples of examiners reports, extracts from theses and vignettes drawn from candidates, supervisors and examiners are illuminating. Such material is seldom encountered or unobtainable to the student body due to confidentiality requirements.
There is a clear, logical approach which threads its way from one chapter to the next in a commonsensical fashion. Each chapter has a clear aim stated at the outset, is easily read and most importantly has examples and illustrations of the concepts and their implementation. Noteworthy is the "Magic Circle" which I have used in my current supervision to illustrate the interconnectedness of the entire research plan.
I can highly recommend "Stepping Stones" as it provides a thought-provoking account of an aspect of postgraduate research, and its supervision, which is not covered by the growing literature on the topic. For this reason it is an essential item which should have a place on the book shelf of the academically minded and committed masters and doctoral supervisor from whichever field of research.
The aim of Trafford and Leshem's book is to explore the nature of the doctoral process that examiners expect candidates to display in their thesis. Astutely this topic is tackled both practically and perceptively. Sagely, the authors provide a valuable contribution to what is meant by "doctorateness" and a perceptive analysis of what is meant by the scholarly nature of the degree. These concerns are not covered in the numerous "how to do a PhD" books which currently dominate the market. Practically, the book focuses on the examination end point and works backwards in stages to the requirements needed to meet that goal. Whether a viva forms part of the examination process or not, the "Stepping Stones" laid out are a clear and instructive path to the endpoint. As a supervisor I found the practical directive on the architecture of a doctoral thesis and how this changes during the writing process enormously helpful. These changes prompted one of my past students to ruefully remark, "I learnt how to hit a moving target". Hopefully future students won't be as irritated by this exercise now that I am better equipped to supervise this exasperating stage of thesis writing. Staying with postgraduate students, the examples of examiners reports, extracts from theses and vignettes drawn from candidates, supervisors and examiners are illuminating. Such material is seldom encountered or unobtainable to the student body due to confidentiality requirements.
There is a clear, logical approach which threads its way from one chapter to the next in a commonsensical fashion. Each chapter has a clear aim stated at the outset, is easily read and most importantly has examples and illustrations of the concepts and their implementation. Noteworthy is the "Magic Circle" which I have used in my current supervision to illustrate the interconnectedness of the entire research plan.
I can highly recommend "Stepping Stones" as it provides a thought-provoking account of an aspect of postgraduate research, and its supervision, which is not covered by the growing literature on the topic. For this reason it is an essential item which should have a place on the book shelf of the academically minded and committed masters and doctoral supervisor from whichever field of research.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Despite the central message of this book (focus on your viva from the start of your research), I only read it when I had already submitted my thesis and was preparing for my viva. I soon wished that I had read it earlier. I could have turned this book's advice to serious profit in my thesis, but I nevertheless found it a very useful aid for viva preparation, and it was extremely helpful in ordering my thoughts and reassessing my thesis before viva day.
All the components of successful PhD research are laid out in this book, and that elusive question - what do I need to demonstrate in my thesis to be awarded my PhD? - is answered fully. Unlike other 'how to get a PhD' books (I've read several!), this volume is based on academic research into the doctoral process, not hearsay and anecdotes, and this makes for satisfyingly convincing advice. This book tells you what supervisors don't, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone doing PhD research.
All the components of successful PhD research are laid out in this book, and that elusive question - what do I need to demonstrate in my thesis to be awarded my PhD? - is answered fully. Unlike other 'how to get a PhD' books (I've read several!), this volume is based on academic research into the doctoral process, not hearsay and anecdotes, and this makes for satisfyingly convincing advice. This book tells you what supervisors don't, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone doing PhD research.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a great book and 'must buy' for anyone trying to write their thesis. The chapters are clear and easy to read and would be useful at any stage of your doctorate process. I have already read many books promising top tips for writing your thesis, but in my opinion, this book beats them all. It has certainly helped me review the structure and readability of my own writing. My only regret is that I didn't have it sooner.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Stepping Stones to Achieving your Doctorate: Focusing on your viva...
I found out about this book at a seminar; just before I set out to start writing my research proposal. Read more
Published 1 month ago by MuteruL
the most useful "how to get a phd" book you will read
I read a number of "how to get a PhD" books as I started out on my doctoral studies and found this to be the most illuminating and the most useful. Read more
Published 2 months ago by sue
Great Stuff
I have just completed my PhD (it was in a social science and philosophical area).
I found that it made a great deal of difference when I read what about doing a PhD. Read more
I found that it made a great deal of difference when I read what about doing a PhD. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Roy Collins
A must read for all new PhD students
I have just finished re-reading some chapters in this wonderfully well-written book, and my initial impression has not changed: all new PhD students must read this book. Read more
Published 9 months ago by felixkayman
A stepping stone to achieving a doctorate
Whether you are a doctoral candidate, a supervisor or an examiner, this book should be required reading. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Hermann P Rapp
Understanding 'doctorateness'
This book will be of immense, practical help to all who are embarking on, or moving through, a doctoral programme or PhD. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Revd J. Caperon
understandable and helpful
great book. just at the beginning of the PhD and this is a really helpful guide. have read other similar books but just didnt get on with them or found them a little too 'acaedemic... Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2010 by Jenny Davidson
A must buy, keep and use
Whenever I go to a new town the first thing I do is spend a lot of timing looking for a map that will help me understand my location in more detail. Read more
Published on 26 Jan 2010 by M. A. Cope
Amazing Staff
After making a mistake of purchasing 4 copies instead of one I thought I would return the other 3 copies but after going through the first 3 chapters I decided to keep them and... Read more
Published on 12 Oct 2009 by Mr. St Mmethi
An Excellent Resource for PhD Students
I bought this book somewhat late into my PhD Studies (16 months) but I am really glad I have found it. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2009 by Wendy Jones
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