Research

Why Proofreading Matters

If ur speling iz inkorect, you are either under-qualified for academic writing, or you didn't pay enough attention. Flawless spelling indicates attention to detail, and it may become a deal breaker in certain situations. Any doubt? Ask a seasoned journal editor. Please note: we are not talking about editing here. The content you write, along with the grammar, vocabulary and … [Read more...] about Why Proofreading Matters

The Best Research Proposal Template to Start With

One simple but useful research proposal templates is this one: "Developing Research Proposals", a handout published by Prof. Ted Zorn at the Waikato Management School of the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Even if it's not very objective to say that there is such a thing as "THE best research proposal template", this one definitely deserves a distinction. Why? … [Read more...] about The Best Research Proposal Template to Start With

What is a Research Proposal?

Definition: a research proposal is a document written by a researcher that provides a detailed description of his proposed activities. It is an outline of the entire research process that gives a reader a summary of the information discussed in a project. Types of research proposals Research proposals can serve a wide range of purposes. Just a couple of examples: + PhD … [Read more...] about What is a Research Proposal?

How to Find the Right Thesis Advisor

Dissertation writing is a tough issue. Many of our readers asked us about "finding the right advisor" for their theses. Some doctoral programs even require you to have a thesis advisor before they accept you as a doctoral student. Having a prospective advisor's consent to guide you through the thesis writing process is not a bad thing though - it requires you to have a plan … [Read more...] about How to Find the Right Thesis Advisor

Attention to Detail

“The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail.” (Charles R. Swindoll) Attention to detail is the ability to achieve thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing a task [1], and it counts among the most important qualities of successful graduate research candidates [2]. In fact, it is a key problem-solving skill in many […]

The Real Cost of Graduation

According to various studies, one of the main reasons for delayed graduation is money. While some research indicates that there are several other factors (e.g. personal support from staff, program organization, quality of staff) [1] that may influence dropout rate, financial factors (e.g. student loan, tuition reduction, deferment status) are highly related to graduate student […]

Effective Supervision

Doing a PhD without regular feedback from your supervisor is like driving your car to a faraway destination without a GPS: You will get lost a few times along the way, and it will certainly take you a lot longer to get there. While it is true that proper guidance is key to avoid pitfalls […]