Doing a PhD

 A PhD is a unique degree in that it is not focused on acquiring more knowledge. A Master’s essentially provides more knowledge or more in-depth knowledge in a subject. But doing a PhD is oriented around research. Due to the focus and importance of research in a PhD, it is often believed that creating new knowledge is the main goal of a PhD. Though creating new knowledge is part of the PhD training, the main objective of doing a PhD degree is to become a competent researcher who can conduct independent research in the chosen area.

If we go by the premise that the purpose of a PhD programme is to produce competent researchers, then the research done during a PhD is primarily for contributing towards this goal and the nature and sophistication of the research output is less important. What is important is to learn to properly formulate a problem and apply suitable techniques to produce results that further the state of understanding about that problem. The ability to conduct research in an area requires deep knowledge in that area, knowledge about related areas, and the experience of working on research problems, i.e. problems whose outcomes are not known.

 To develop these critical abilities, most PhD programmes have three components in them — some course work to provide the breath of knowledge, some methods to develop the depth of knowledge in the chosen area of study, and a thesis that provides the experience of working on research problems. Through these components a PhD candidate should expect to develop the abilities, which form the foundation of a career in research.

33. Read the text “Doing a PhD”. Answer the questions that follow.

 1. What is doing a PhD degree oriented around?

 2. What is the main objective of doing a PhD degree?

 3. Is the research output important in a PhD?

 4. What does the ability to conduct research in an area require?

 5. What components do most PhD programmes include?

 34. As you read the text, say which of these statements are true and which are false.

 1. A PhD is focused on acquiring more knowledge.

 2. Creating new knowledge is part of the Master’s and PhD training.

 3. A PhD programme produces competent researchers.

 4. A PhD programme provides suitable techniques to produce the results required.

 5. Through the components a PhD programme has a PhD candidate can hardly form the foundation of his/her research career.

35. Check your answers with your groupmates. Look up the words you do not know in the dictionary.

36. Retell the text about some specific features of a PhD programme.

37. Tell your groupmates which speci fi c features discussed in the text are relevant to your postgraduate programme.

Section 7. WRITING

 An academic transcript [′trænskript] (Transcript of Records) is an official document which states your course units (subjects) or modules taken, your results (credits and final marks/grades confi rmed by the appropriate Examination Board), a completion date and a graduation date. It provides a standard format for recording all study activities carried out by students over a certain period of time. It is an essential tool for academic recognition. All students automatically receive one paper copy of their fi nal academic transcript upon completing their degree. If you haven’t yet completed your course, you can request a copy of your on-course transcript. This will show your academic achievement to date but will not include a fi nal classifi cation. An academic transcript may be needed for verification by other educational institutions to which you are applying or by prospective employers.

 38. Read this sample academic transcript translated from the Russian language and issued by Moscow Technical University. Study its organization.

39. Write your own academic transcript in English based on the models above.Present it to the class and discuss it.