PhD Process

The early stages of a PhD are devoted to defining and refining the broad topic area of the research. This will involve a number of tasks including:

• Reviewing the literature in the field
• Refining the research questions
• Understanding and expressing the research problem
• Deciding the scope and parameters of your project
• Producing a detailed plan of the study and the thesis

The pattern of the research process, along with the shape of the thesis, can differ quite substantially depending on the discipline and the type of study. Research projects can be primarily: theoretical, applied, field-based, lab-based, text-based, experimental, empirical, interpretive, qualitative or quantitative.

For example with lab-based experimental science projects, the early stage of the research process actually revolves around issues of the study's design. This might include establishing questions or hypotheses to be tested, organising equipment, defining procedures and methods for testing and experimentation and getting ethics clearance.

In contrast, a research project in cultural studies may require a longer period of time devoted to developing a theoretical approach, thinking through debates and concepts. There could be months of reading and thinking before the objects of the study are identified and the theoretical approach is established. Preliminary investigation may be required before the central questions are formulated.

For all research students one of the most important tasks in the early months of candidature is to establish a sense of the norms and practices not only within your general discipline but also within your School, centre or institute.