Hi and welcome to the first #ProfDockers support session. The following PowerPoint presentation was delivered by Eileen O'Neil to professional doctoral students - cohort 11 on the 2nd of May 2018. The purpose of the presentation was to support students who are about to embark on their Project Design Development and Management (PDDM) module. I delivered this presentation on my own reflective experience; the question asked of me was "how did the PDDM help ME to develop my thesis". The following PowerPoint presentation is the advice I would now give to myself now if I was starting this module today.
If you would like to find out more regarding my own journey towards my doctoral studies, please go to Balanceandrisk.com for more information and guidance. Don't forget to end your comments/communication with #ProfDockers this will support organic growth of our support infrastructure and grow our brand.
If you would like more information on any element of this PowerPoint then please visit
https://balanceandrisk.com/ for further information and support.
1. #ProfDockers
PRESENTATION BY - EILEEN O'NEIL
GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY (GCU)
2ND MAY 2018
PRESENTATION TO PROFESSIONAL DOCTORAL STUDENTS - COHORT 11
How did the PDDM help ME to develop my thesis
3. Do’s -Breakitdown
Don’t Delay Draft Up Today – Template Construction
• Abstract: just read the structure of other peoples work – do this at the very end.
• Title: is another one you can leave to the end
• Introduction and Background
• Aim and Objectives
• Literature Review
• Methodology
• Ethical Consideration – don’t worry about this section you will be guided
• Timetable – this is just a draft, my timetable is in the handout
• Conclusion
Put this list into your calendar and figure out how much time you have available to work on
each section, what is the overall word-count and break it down – c8000
4. “Flashcard Busting Academia”
When you begin your reading you are going to come across words, theories, constructs and
jargon you are simply not familiar with. Don’t become overwhelmed this is academia's way of
holding on to its position of power over you.
Flashcard your way through obstacles of academia
In the methodology section, I struggles with the volume of new information I needed to take in
to understand what methodological approach I wanted to take. So I began to breakdown what
I did not know into flashcards and connections – get your self a good Reference Book.
Example: Research Approach – Abductive: approach to theory development involving the
collection of data to explore phenomenon – then follow on the flashcard with connective
tissue such as Deductive and Inductive approaches, this helps you to understand the
differentiation and therefore builds knowledge of the subject. “Flashcard Busting Academia”
5. ContributiontoKnowledge
What do I know in May 2018 that I wish I knew in May 2017?
There are more resources available than I utilised, RefWorks for example has much more
functionality than I was aware of. Ethos and Web of Science/Library data bases are a fantastic
primary resource. Ask yourself the following questions?
1. What is the essence of my PDDM? high level don’t worry about the detail
2. What are three characteristics of the essence of my PDDM?
Essence = Exploring the impact of Repetitive Psychological Contract Breach on employee
psychological wellbeing and the moderating role of employee resilience.
Characteristics = Psychological Contract Breach, psychological wellbeing and psychological
resilience.
Register on these databases, once you have your profile all of your searches are saved
6. PDDMtoThesis
Advice: waste your time wisely! plan what questions you need to ask your supervisor,
don’t send random emails of panic and distress, think about what do you need
support/guidance with, in order to receive structured support in return. Use every bit of
resource this university has, don’t hold back, some key people I utilised during my PDDM
were Grace Poulter (academic writing) Lisa Gardner (library) and Afroditi Dalakoura
(supervisor). As you move into this very challenging section of the ProfDoc remain
resilient, stress test your own capabilities, but do not burn yourself out in the process. Do
not seek perfection within the PDDM that will come later, seek instead to understand the
process and create content which will underpin the framework of your eventual thesis not
necessarily the content.
7. Supervisors
Whats
App
Best Friend Library –
Database
StayConnectedtoyourCohortCommunity
Stay connected to GCU and your cohort.
“Resilience draws from strength of character, from a
core set of values that motivate efforts to overcome
the setback and resume walking the path to success. It
involves self-control and willingness to acknowledge
one’s own role in defeat. Resilience also thrives on a
sense of community — the desire to pick oneself up
because of an obligation to others and because of
support from others who want the same thing.
Resilience is manifested in actions — a new
contribution, a small win, a goal that takes attention
off of the past and creates excitement about the
future”
Source: http://www.wipro.com/documents/surprises-are-the-new-normal.pdf
8. #ProfDockersCommunity
Since January 2016 I have had the privilege of being part of Cohort 10, a rather splendid group.
Inspired by an idea from Pat Culhane who stated the movement called #ProfDockers the below is
an overview of our contributions so far.
Pat Culhane, Lesley Martyn, and Eileen O’Neil – all current third year/cohort 10 Professional
Doctoral candidates at GCU - have started a movement called the #ProfDockers. it is based on the
premise that a wider conversation is needed between Doctoral students (past, present, and
future) on their experiences of pursuing this rewarding, and very challenging, degree. It is
intended to bring more PhD/ProfD students together from any part of the world, initially, through
a variety of online media, in an attempt and to tackle the isolation often felt by them. By doing so,
it is hoped to inspire (in some small way) people to start, continue with, and finish their Doctoral
studies. Check the first #ProfDockers podcast, where Pat, Lesley, and Eileen discuss why each is
pursuing a Doctoral degree, and why they have started this wider conversation. Each has set up a
blog and published a number of related articles.
9. #ProfDockersCommunity
• Pat Culhane: patculhane.ie and @Pat_Culhane
• Lesley Martyn: lesleymartinprofdoc.com
• Eileen O’Neil: balanceandrisk.com
If you do wish to leave a comment on any of the Blogs/Websites, please use
#ProfDockers at the end to ensure we continue to grow our community.
