The past two decades have seen a huge growth in interest in doctoral studies, not only in South Africa but elsewhere as well. Changes in the funding framework for universities in South Africa, in particular, has meant that from 2005 onwards, more funding has been available. However, postgraduate studies are challenging. The “digital revolution”, as one example, has had a radical impact on the way research is done in the 21st century. Because of the more widespread availability of information (including personal information), students have had to become more accountable when they conduct research. How to succeed in your master’s and doctoral studies is organised around eight steps that should be followed for the successful and ethical completion of postgraduate studies, whether they be traditional master’s theses, mini-theses or doctoral dissertations.
How to succeed in your master’s and doctoral studies is based on first-hand knowledge of students’ experiences with postgraduate studies: what the challenges and problems were, how they navigated the supervisory process and the different styles and approaches of supervisors, the support (or lack thereof) they received from the universities where they had enrolled, and much more.
Contents include the following:
How to succeed in your master’s and doctoral studies is aimed at students embarking on postgraduate studies.
PART 1 MANAGING YOUR RESEARCH
SECTION 1: Preparing your research
Chapter 1: Getting started
Chapter 2: You and your supervisor
Chapter 3: Scanning the field of study
SECTION 2: Planning your research
Chapter 4: The research proposal
Chapter 5: Research resource management
SECTION 3: The research process
Chapter 6: The literature review
Chapter 7: The research process
SECTION 4: The research product
Chapter 8: The research thesis
PART 2 RESOURCE CHAPTERS
Chapter 9: The Three Worlds framework
Chapter 10: Research design map
Chapter 11: Research proposals: examples
Chapter 12: Research and publication ethics
