The A-Z of Trajectory

Springer Texts in Education

Eva O. L. Lantsoght

The A-Z of

the PhD

Trajectory

A Practical Guide for a Successful

Journey

Springer Texts in Education

More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/13812

Eva O. L. Lantsoght

The A-Z of the PhD

Trajectory

A Practical Guide for a Successful Journey

ISSN 2366-7672 ISSN 2366-7680 (electronic)

Springer Texts in Education

ISBN 978-3-319-77424-4 ISBN 978-3-319-77425-1 (eBook)

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77425-1

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018943625

© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018

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Eva O. L. Lantsoght

Universidad San Francisco de Quito

Quito, Ecuador

Delft University of Technology

Delft, The Netherlands

To Adeline

vii

Contents

Part I The Steps of the PhD Trajectory

1 Introduction............................................................................................. 3

1.1 What Can You Find in this Book?................................................ 3

1.2 Who Can Benefit from this Book?............................................... 4

1.3 Using this Textbook for a Class or Series of Workshops............. 5

References................................................................................................. 6

2 Getting Started with a PhD.................................................................... 7

2.1 Introduction and Learning Goals ................................................. 7

2.2 Familiarizing Yourself with Your New Workplace

and Your New City....................................................................... 8

2.2.1 Sorting Out Your Paperwork........................................... 8

2.2.2 Getting Settled in Your New Workplace......................... 8

2.2.3 Exploring Your New Institution...................................... 9

2.2.4 Exploring Your New City ............................................... 10

2.3 Discussing Mutual Expectations with Your Promotor................. 11

2.4 Start Documenting Your Journey ................................................. 13

2.4.1 Setting Up a Research Journal and a Lab Book ............. 13

2.4.2 Log Your Activities......................................................... 13

2.4.3 How to Start Writing Early on........................................ 15

2.4.4 Figure Out Your Data Storage Protocol.......................... 16

2.5 Make a Rough Outline of Your Days/Weeks............................... 19

2.5.1 Plan the Outline of Your Days........................................ 19

2.5.2 Eat, Move, Sleep............................................................. 21

2.5.3 Determine Your Non-negotiable Self-Care Activities .... 22

2.5.4 On Creating Nurturing Morning Routines ..................... 23

2.5.5 On Rolling with the Punches of Academia .................... 23

2.6 Summary ...................................................................................... 24

Further Reading and References............................................................... 25

viii

3 Planning Your Time ................................................................................ 27

3.1 Introduction and Learning Goals ................................................. 27

3.2 Planning Your PhD....................................................................... 28

3.2.1 Determining Your Milestones......................................... 28

3.2.2 Setting Yourself Up for Success per Semester................ 30

3.2.3 Your Weekly Template.................................................... 32

3.2.4 Defining Your Ideal Day ................................................. 35

3.2.5 Applying the Weekly Template ...................................... 37

3.2.6 On Rigidity in Schedules................................................ 38

3.2.7 On Learning How to Take Your Self-Imposed

Deadlines Seriously........................................................ 39

3.2.8 When Procrastination Hijacks Your Planning................. 40

3.2.9 Tools for Assisting Your Planning .................................. 41

3.3 Managing Your Time and Research ............................................. 44

3.3.1 Project Management Basics ........................................... 44

3.3.2 Tracking Your Time ........................................................ 46

3.3.3 Prioritizing...................................................................... 46

3.3.4 Using Lists Effectively ................................................... 48

3.4 Self-Care and Taking Time to Take Care of Yourself.................. 49

3.4.1 Planning Self-Care, Sleep, Movement, and Food........... 49

3.4.2 How to Break Out of Unhealthy Patterns....................... 50

3.4.3 Reward Yourself for Sticking to Your Plan..................... 52

3.5 Summary ...................................................................................... 52

Further Reading and References............................................................... 53

4 Developing Your Literature Review ...................................................... 55

4.1 Introduction and Learning Goals ................................................. 55

4.2 Browsing the Academic Literature .............................................. 56

4.2.1 How to Find References................................................. 56

4.2.2 On Reading Broadly and Deeply.................................... 59

4.3 Processing References.................................................................. 61

4.3.1 Storing References.......................................................... 61

4.3.2 Engaging with the Literature .......................................... 62

4.4 Finalizing Your Literature Review ............................................... 65

4.4.1 When Have You Read Enough?...................................... 65

4.4.2 Bringing Everything Together........................................ 66

4.4.3 Keeping Track of the Literature After Finishing

the Literature Review ..................................................... 69

4.5 The Next Step: Turning Your Literature Review

into a Dissertation Chapter and Journal Paper............................. 71

4.5.1 Turning Your Literature Review into 

a Dissertation Chapter .................................................... 71

4.5.2 Turning Your Literature Review into a Journal Paper .... 72

4.6 Summary ...................................................................................... 73

Further Reading and References............................................................... 73

Contents

ix

5 Formulating Your Research Question................................................... 75

5.1 Introduction and Learning Goals ................................................. 75

5.2 From Literature Review to Research Question ............................ 76

5.2.1 Identifying Gaps in the Knowledge................................ 76

5.2.2 Self-Assessing Your Research Question......................... 78

5.2.3 Creative Thinking ........................................................... 78

5.2.4 Convincing Your Supervisor of Your Research

Question.......................................................................... 82

5.3 Putting Your Research Question to Action................................... 82

5.3.1 From Research Question to Subquestions...................... 82

5.3.2 From Research Subquestions to Dissertation Chapters.. 84

5.3.3 From Research Subquestions to Actions and Planning.. 85

5.4 Summary ...................................................................................... 87

Further Reading and References............................................................... 87

6 Preparing and Executing Experiments................................................. 89

6.1 Introduction and Learning Goals ................................................. 89

6.2 Towards Your First Test Setup...................................................... 90

6.2.1 Using the Literature Review to Define

What You Want to Test ................................................... 90

6.2.2 Designing Experimental Setups ..................................... 91

6.2.3 Planning and Logistics for Your First Test ..................... 92

6.3 Managing a Series of Experiments .............................................. 94

6.3.1 The Importance of Your Lab Book................................. 94

6.3.2 Project Management Essentials...................................... 97

6.4 Thriving in the Lab....................................................................... 99

6.4.1 Making Friends............................................................... 99

6.4.2 Staying Calm in the Face of Adversity........................... 101

6.4.3 Processing Your Data...................................................... 102

6.5 Reporting Experiments................................................................. 103

6.5.1 Developing Your Experimental Report........................... 103

6.5.2 From Experimental Report to Dissertation Chapter....... 104

6.5.3 From Experimental Report to Journal Paper.................. 105

6.6 Summary ...................................................................................... 106

Further Reading and References............................................................... 107

7 Honing Your Academic Writing Skills.................................................. 109

7.1 Introduction and Learning Goals ................................................. 109

7.2 Structuring Writing ...................................................................... 110

7.2.1 Determining What You Need to Convey......................... 110

7.2.2 Outlining Your Writing ................................................... 111

7.2.3 Planning Your Writing .................................................... 113

7.3 Finding Your Voice ....................................................................... 117

7.3.1 Writing Styles and Document Types.............................. 117

7.3.2 Finding Your Voice Through Blogging........................... 118

7.3.3 Practicing Writing to Develop Your Voice...................... 119

7.3.4 On Expertise and Authority............................................ 123

Contents

x

7.4 Tips for Non-native Speakers of English ..................................... 125

7.4.1 Typical Pitfalls for Non-native Speakers........................ 125

7.4.2 Improving Your (Technical) English............................... 126

7.4.3 Finding Your Voice in a Foreign Language .................... 127

7.5 Tips for Productive Academic Writing......................................... 128

7.5.1 Best Practices for Productive Academic Writing ........... 128

7.5.2 Dealing with Writer’s Block........................................... 132

7.5.3 Fitting Writing into Your Schedule................................. 133

7.6 Summary ...................................................................................... 134

Further Reading and References............................................................... 135

8 Presenting Your Work............................................................................. 137

8.1 Introduction and Learning Goals ................................................. 137

8.2 Preparing for a Presentation......................................................... 138

8.2.1 Planning Towards a Presentation.................................... 138

8.2.2 Selecting Your Tools....................................................... 140

8.3 Types of Presentations.................................................................. 140

8.3.1 Lectern Presentations...................................................... 140

8.3.2 Poster Presentations........................................................ 145

8.3.3 Presentations Without Slides.......................................... 148

8.4 Tips for Non-native English Speakers and for Presenting

in Different Languages................................................................. 149

8.4.1 Improving Your Presenting Skills

in Technical English ....................................................... 149

8.4.2 Presenting in Another Language .................................... 150

8.5 Best Practices for Successful Presentations................................. 151

8.5.1 How to Gain Confidence in Presenting .......................... 151

8.5.2 Presentation Aftermath ................................................... 152

8.6 Summary ...................................................................................... 154

Further Reading and References............................................................... 154

9 Communicating Science in the Twenty-First Century ........................ 157

9.1 Introduction and Learning Goals ................................................. 157

9.2 Blogging as a Researcher............................................................. 158

9.2.1 Single-Author Blogs....................................................... 158

9.2.2 Guest Posting.................................................................. 161

9.2.3 Multi-author Blogs ......................................................... 162

9.2.4 Benefits of Blogging....................................................... 163

9.2.5 Barriers to Blogging ....................................................... 164

9.3 Twitter for Researchers................................................................ 165

9.3.1 How to Engage with an Audience .................................. 165

9.3.2 Curating Content Through Storify.................................. 169

9.4 Online Branding for Scientists..................................................... 170

9.5 Summary ...................................................................................... 173

Further Reading and References............................................................... 173

Contents

xi

10 Preparing for Your First Conference .................................................... 175

10.1 Introduction and Learning Goals ................................................. 175

10.2 Selecting a Conference................................................................. 176

10.3 Selecting a Topic .......................................................................... 178

10.3.1 The Right Topic for the Conference ............................... 178

10.3.2 Ideas for a Conference Paper.......................................... 178

10.4 Planning Towards a Conference................................................... 181

10.4.1 Plan Your Time ............................................................... 181

10.4.2 Plan Your Activities to Get Ready .................................. 186

10.4.3 Prepare Your Outfits........................................................ 188

10.5 Getting Most Out of a Conference............................................... 191

10.5.1 Navigating the Conference Schedule ............................. 191

10.5.2 Navigating the Attendants.............................................. 192

10.5.3 Interacting During Sessions............................................ 193

10.5.4 Essential Self-Care ......................................................... 194

10.6 Summary ...................................................................................... 195

Further Reading and References............................................................... 196

11 Writing Your First Journal Article........................................................ 197

11.1 Introduction and Learning Goals ................................................. 197

11.2 Selecting a Journal ....................................................................... 198

11.2.1 Audience of a Journal..................................................... 198

11.2.2 Impact Factor and Rankings........................................... 198

11.2.3 Open Access Publishing ................................................. 201

11.3 Planning Towards Your First Draft............................................... 202

11.3.1 Finding Time for Writing – Slow and Steady................. 202

11.4 Planning Towards Submission ..................................................... 207

11.5 Writing a Good Abstract .............................................................. 209

11.5.1 How to Write an Abstract in 30 Minutes........................ 209

11.6 Writing a Cover Letter ................................................................. 210

11.7 The Review Process..................................................................... 210

11.7.1 Timeline of Reviews....................................................... 210

11.7.2 How to Implement Reviewers’ Comments..................... 215

11.7.3 How to Reply to Reviewers’ Comments ........................ 215

11.8 Dealing with Rejection................................................................. 218

11.8.1 The Reality of Rejection................................................. 218

11.8.2 How to Face Rejection.................................................... 219

11.8.3 How to Move Forward and Resubmit Elsewhere ........... 219

11.9 Writing Your Next Paper(s).......................................................... 221

11.9.1 Identify Topics................................................................ 221

11.9.2 Become a Productive Writer........................................... 223

11.9.3 Juggling Different Papers............................................... 225

11.10 Summary ...................................................................................... 227

Further Reading and References............................................................... 228

Contents

xii

12 Compiling Your Work into a Dissertation ............................................ 229

12.1 Introduction and Learning Goals ................................................. 229

12.2 Planning Towards Your Dissertation ............................................ 230

12.2.1 How to Plan Your Dissertation ....................................... 230

12.2.2 How to Kick-Start Your Writing..................................... 233

12.2.3 When to Start Writing..................................................... 234

12.2.4 Writing Propositions....................................................... 235

12.3 Structuring a Dissertation............................................................. 236

12.3.1 How to Outline Your Dissertation................................... 236

12.4 Staying Motivated When Writing Your Dissertation.................... 238

12.4.1 A Little Goes a Long Way.............................................. 238

12.4.2 How to Stay Motivated and Balanced ............................ 239

12.5 Writing the Introduction and Conclusions Chapters.................... 241

12.5.1 How and When to Write Your Introduction.................... 241

12.5.2 How to Write Conclusions ............................................. 242

12.5.3 How to Identify Future Work.......................................... 245

12.6 Implementing Comments of Committee Members...................... 246

12.6.1 How to Compile a Balanced Committee ........................ 246

12.6.2 How to Implement Comments of Your Committee........ 248

12.7 Defending Your Thesis................................................................. 248

12.7.1 From Finished Thesis to Defense ................................... 248

12.7.2 How to Prepare for Your Thesis Defense ....................... 249

12.7.3 Surviving Defense-Day .................................................. 253

12.8 Summary ...................................................................................... 253

Further Reading and References............................................................... 255

13 Navigating Career Options After Your PhD......................................... 257

13.1 Introduction and Learning Goals ................................................. 257

13.2 Life After the Defense.................................................................. 258

13.2.1 Letting It All Sink In....................................................... 258

13.2.2 Figuring Out What to Do Next ....................................... 260

13.3 Career Options ............................................................................. 261

13.3.1 Overview of Options....................................................... 261

13.4 The Benefit of Your Academic Skills When

Searching for a Job....................................................................... 265

13.4.1 Preparing Your Documents............................................. 265

13.4.2 Highlighting Your Unique Academic Skills ................... 267

13.4.3 Attending Career Events................................................. 269

13.5 Tips for Success in Academia ...................................................... 272

13.5.1 Transitioning from PhD Student

to Faculty Member.......................................................... 272

13.5.2 Becoming an Independent Researcher ........................... 275

13.6 Tips for Success in the Industry ................................................... 277

13.7 Some Advice for Female PhDs.................................................... 278

Contents

xiii

13.8 Going Abroad as an Academic..................................................... 280

13.8.1 The International Job Market ......................................... 280

13.8.2 Academic Nomadism ..................................................... 282

13.8.3 Challenges of Working at Different Institutions............. 283

13.8.4 Initiating International Collaborations ........................... 284

13.9 Summary ...................................................................................... 285

Further Reading and References............................................................... 286

14 Epilogue ................................................................................................... 289

14.1 Summary ...................................................................................... 289

14.2 How to Use the Glossary A–Z of Part II...................................... 292

14.3 Sources of Further Reading.......................................................... 292

Further Reading and References............................................................... 292

Part II Glossary

15 Glossary ................................................................................................... 297

15.1 A................................................................................................... 297

15.2 B................................................................................................... 304

15.3 C................................................................................................... 309

15.4 D................................................................................................... 317

15.5 E ................................................................................................... 321

15.6 F.................................................................................................... 325

15.7 G................................................................................................... 329

15.8 H................................................................................................... 333

15.9 I .................................................................................................... 334

15.10 J.................................................................................................... 339

15.11 K................................................................................................... 341

15.12 L ................................................................................................... 342

15.13 M .................................................................................................. 346

15.14 N................................................................................................... 351

15.15 O................................................................................................... 353

15.16 P.................................................................................................... 356

15.17 Q................................................................................................... 365

15.18 R................................................................................................... 366

15.19 S.................................................................................................... 370

15.20 T ................................................................................................... 380

15.21 U................................................................................................... 385

15.22 V................................................................................................... 387

15.23 W.................................................................................................. 388

15.24 Z ................................................................................................... 393

References................................................................................................. 393

Contents

Part I

The Steps of the PhD Trajectory

© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018 3

E. O. L. Lantsoght, The A-Z of the PhD Trajectory, Springer Texts in Education,

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77425-1_1

Chapter 1

Introduction

Abstract In this book, you can find information about the major milestones in your

PhD trajectory, and how to reach them. We also discuss the soft skills that support

the research process. This book is mostly aimed at PhD students in sciences and

engineering. In particular, the topics that are discussed in this book are: defining

your research question, developing a literature review, preparing and executing

experiments, time management, scientific writing, academic presentations, and pre￾paring for a career after the PhD.

1.1 What Can You Find in this Book?

In this book, you can find information about the major milestones in your PhD tra￾jectory, and how to reach them. We also discuss the soft skills that support the

research process. This book is mostly aimed at PhD students in sciences and engi￾neering. In particular, the topics that are discussed in this book are: defining your

research question, developing a literature review, preparing and executing experi￾ments, time management, scientific writing, academic presentations, and preparing

for a career after the PhD.

You can find two parts in this book: the formal course text, which runs from

Chap. 1 through 14, and a glossary with reference items, organized from A to

Z. This glossary can serve as a reference for common terms related to the PhD tra￾jectory, and you can look up terms for inspiration and advice after completion of the

course. Most entries will also refer you to relevant chapters in the course text.

I have written this book as a course text for PhD students, to offer material that

can support students throughout their PhD trajectory, and to turn the tide in the trend

of PhD students dropping out of their programs because they are lacking the right

tools or support. In the Netherlands, for example, about 15% of all PhD candidates

graduate within 4 years, and 70% after 8 years [1]. In the United States, the comple￾tion rate after 10 years is 57% [2]. There are many reasons why students drop out of

their PhD programs. To reduce the rates at which students drop out, a better guid￾ance of the students is essential. This book, and associated proposed course or series

of workshops, aims at giving PhD candidates the right tools to carry out their

research. During your PhD trajectory, you have to learn how to do research, a skill