Doing a PhD in the Social Sciences

A Student’s Guide to Post-Graduate Research and Writing

Francis Jegede

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN:
  9780367519414
• eBook ISBN:
  9781000398472
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Education General
• Index: Social Sciences

Covering the academic and operational aspects of PhD research degree programmes, this accessible yet comprehensive book is an essential guide to navigating through the PhD research journey.

Using a mixture of useful information, practical strategies and valuable advice, this book helps readers through the process of doing a PhD by providing essential hints and tips on key aspects such as the following:

• How to start, conduct and manage PhD research
• Working with your supervisor
• Writing your thesis
• Preparing for the viva

This is a crucial resource for anyone wanting to know about approaches to research, substantive theories, data analytical techniques, essential research tools and a range of other issues that affect the chances of PhD success and completion. With global case studies and examples, this invaluable guide is a must-read for anyone undertaking a PhD in the social sciences.

CHAPTER 1
What is and why do a PhD?

Introduction

A growing number of people around the world are studying for or aiming to undertake Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – the highest academic degree awarded in academia. In Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, 1.1% of adults within the age range of 25 to 64 years held a doctorate degree in 2018 (Education at a Glance, OECD, 2019). Between 2013 and 2017, there was an 8% growth across OECD countries in the number of people with doctorate degrees. In countries such as Mexico, Spain and the US, there has been a significant rise in doctorate holders. According to the OECD report, if the current rates of growth continue, 2.3% of young adults living in OECD countries will undertake doctoral study in their lifetime (OECD, 2019). The growing number of people aspiring to gain advanced qualification at doctorate level reflects the perceived benefits of doctoral studies. People with masters and doctorate degrees generally have the best employment prospects. In all OECD countries, except Greece, the Slovak Republic and the Russian Federation, at least 90% of doctorate holders are in employment (OECD, 2020).

This chapter explores the nature and purpose of PhD research degrees. Differences and similarities between traditional PhDs and Professional or Practice-Based Doctorates (DProf) are explained using examples from different institutions in the UK and overseas. Key issues prospective candidates need to know about and consider before deciding on doing a PhD are discussed. The chapter also explains why about a quarter of people who start a PhD globally never complete their research study. The challenges and opportunities of doing a PhD are examined with reference to personal professional development and career advancement.

By the end of the chapter, you will have a better understanding of

• the nature and purpose of PhD research degrees;
• what makes a PhD research degree different from all other degrees or research programmes;
• the importance of a PhD degree for your personal, professional and career development;
• reasons why about a quarter of students who started a PhD never complete it;
• factors to consider before you decide on doing a PhD; and
• how to prepare for your PhD journey.

What is a PhD?

A PhD is an advanced post-graduate study leading to the award of a doctorate degree of philosophy in a named subject or discipline or profession. A PhD is the highest degree a university or an academic awarding institution could confer on anyone after successfully completing a course of study, usually in the form of independent research. Generally, a PhD is a research-based course or programme that expands existing knowledge leading to the production of an original research report commonly known as a thesis.

A post-graduate research (PGR) degree is awarded after fulfilling a set of requirements set out by the awarding university or institution. While the nature and requirements for a PhD may vary considerably across different subjects/disciplines and universities/institutions around the world, it is nonetheless possible to identify key features and characteristics of a PhD.

The history and evolution of PhDs

As an important element of the academic tradition, the PhD has developed and evolved over a long time. Opinions differ amongst academic historians as to the origin of PhD awards. While some scholars suggest that the PhD has its origins in the 9th-century schools of Muslim study, the PhD tradition was only formally adopted by European universities in the 19th century (Hall, 2019). Others, however, contend that the exact time the first PhD degree was awarded is unknown (Bogle, 2017).

Early medieval educational institutions were based on apprenticeships. The title of ‘Master’ was conferred on individuals who passed their apprenticeship training, and that qualified them to teach others. The notion of a university as a teaching institution came about when the ‘Masters’ joined together to form a legal corporation that was recognised by the pope or emperor (Bogle, 2017).

According to the historical account of the PhD in Europe, the first PhD degree was awarded in Paris in 1150 (Noble, 1994). The University of Paris was later followed in Germany by the Universities of Munich in 1474, Leiden in 1580 and Utrecht in 1644 (Bogle, 2017). However, the German universities were said to have had a variety of different features and patterns (Clark, 2006). From these medieval northern European universities, the tradition of a PhD degree spread to other parts of Europe, the US, Canada and across the world.

Since then, the PhD has evolved and developed into a prestigious and most desirable academic honour with different universities, countries and regions of the world adapting their PhDs to suit their needs. While the PhD was originally awarded in professions and disciplines relating to law, medicine and theology, the award of the PhD later spread to other subjects and has now become the highest academic award across all disciplines and professions.

Originally, the award of a PhD was based on the concept of disputation – a formal and insightful means of argument framed within theological assumptions. It then progressed from just an oral exercise to being a published work, and this led to the creation of modern theses or dissertations as being essential products of doctoral students’ research (Clark, 2006). As academic research-based exercises, research doctorates began in the 1700s and became popular in Germany. The German state considered universities to be a national status symbol and a show of power resulting in the growth of PhD-awarding institutions there between the 16th and 18th centuries. In contrast, only two ancient universities – Oxford and Cambridge – were established in England, with Scotland having four. An overview of the UK institutions and the opportunities they provide for PGR and PhD are discussed in Chapter 2.

Key features of a PhD

While PhDs may vary greatly in scope, nature and requirements of different institutions in different parts of the world and across disciplines, it is possible to identify a number of key characteristics. A PhD usually requires the following:

1. A prolonged engagement with the chosen research topic lasting typically for about 3 years for full-time students and longer for part-time students
2. The researcher to determine the focus and direction of their own work through a written research proposal
3. Work to be conducted independently and on an individual basis – although usually with some support, direction or guidance from a supervisor, a mentor or a director of study
4. Extensive and substantial research into a specific issue or issues or problems clearly set out in a proposal
5. The research aim(s) and objectives to be made clear and usually stated as research questions that may involve testing the validity of hypotheses
6. An extensive review of literature and collection of primary data or use of existing/secondary data
7. The production of an original research report commonly known as a
8. ‘thesis’ or ‘dissertation’
9. A final oral examination commonly known as ‘viva voce’ in which a PhD candidate defends their work before a panel of experts

Types of PhD awards

There are different types of PhD degrees, and knowing about the basic features of each of these could help you in your decision as to which PhD is right for you, if any. Generally, a PhD can be divided into four main categories:

Academic PhDs – These are PhDs awarded purely on academic grounds following completion of original research and scholarship in traditional academic subjects such as politics, geography, sociology, criminology and others. As standard academic awards, academic doctorates focus mainly on a theoretical understanding of the subject of the PhD and not on the professional practice of the award holder (Find A PhD 2020).

Professional PhDs – Unlike the standard academic PhDs, professional doctorates focus mainly on specific professions or vocations, such as engineering, law, medicine and architecture, among others. These awards tend to reflect specific contribution the award holder has made directly to knowledge and practice in the profession. While professional PhDs still require evidence of research and analytical rigours expected in any standard academic PhDs, a greater premium is placed on the holder’s practical training and experience in the field or profession (Find A PhD 2020).

Honorary PhDs – These are doctorates awarded to individuals in recognition of their achievements in a profession, vocation, business or any area of social, economic and political endeavour. Unlike both academic and professional doctorates, the award holders of honorary PhDs do not need to undertake any academic study or research as those awards are given purely at the discretion of the awarding institution (Find A PhD 2020).

Higher PhDs – Higher doctorates are usually awarded to distinguished individuals or highly esteemed researchers or practitioners. These are similar to honorary doctorates but are awarded at a much higher level of experience and career progression of the award holder. Like the honorary PhDs, award holders are not required to enrol in a university or an awarding institution for these doctorates (Find A PhD 2020).

Within these four broad types of PhDs, there are many different variants of PhDs in terms of titles of awards. These are summarised in Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1 Types of PhDs

While PhD/DPhil are common doctorate titles awarded in most subjects, Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Doctor of Public Administration (DPA), Doctor of Engineering (EnD), Doctor of Education (EdD/D. Ed), Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) Doctor of Social Sciences (DSocSci), Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf), Doctor of Architecture (DArch), Doctor of Medicine (MD) and others are professional doctorates with letters prefixing or suffixing letter D (i.e. BA, En, ED, SocSci, prof, Arch, etc.), reflecting the specific profession or vocation relating to the award.

Different routes to a PhD

Depending on the university and region of the world where you are doing or thinking of doing your study, there are different routes to obtaining a PhD.

The traditional PhD

This route usually allows students who have already completed their master’s degree or MPhil to launch straight into a PhD research programme. In most universities, students may be required to register first for MPhil and then go through a process of confirmation or transfer of registration, approval of PhD research proposal and ethical approval and the like before the student is able t...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication Page
• Contents
• List of figures and tables
• Introduction
• Preface
• About the author
• Acknowledgements
• Acronyms
• 1 What is and why do a PhD?
• 2 The PhD application process
• 3 Working with your supervisor/director of study
• 4 Finding support for your PhD
• 5 Writing your literature review
• 6 Understanding theoretical perspectives and developing your research methodology
• 7 Understanding ethical issues and laws regarding PhD research and personal data
• 8 Owning and driving your own PhD research
• 9 Conducting fieldwork and collecting your data
• 10 Analysing your research data: quantitative and qualitative approaches
• 11 Writing up your PhD thesis
• 12 Preparing for and doing your viva voce: oral examination
• 13 Making the most of your PhD degree
• Appendix
• References
• Index