Musings on research S G Deshmukh
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Musings on research
S G Deshmukh
acknowledgements
This presentation is based on previous
presentations made by
Dr Jitesh Thakkar (IIT Kgp) at IIT Kgp
Prof R P Mohanty (SoA Univ, Bhubneshwar),
and discussions with
Prof N K Sharma (IITK),
Prelude..
Book by Stephen Covey
Management guru
Systems orientation
https://www.stephencovey.com/7habits/7habits.php
4
Life Cycle of “Ph.D Student”
1 Be
Proactive
2
Begin with
the end in mind
3
Put First
Things First
4
Think Win- Win
Seek First to
understand ------Then
to be
understood
5
Synergize
6
7
Sharpen
the
Saw
Dependence
Independence
Interdependence
PRIVATE
VICTORY
PUBLIC
VICTORY
Source: 7-Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey
Prerequisites to nurture research
Encouraging & Homely Eco-system
Openness & Trust
Adequate Infrastructure (Physical /Intellectual)
Knowhow (Concept/ Methodology) available
Pool of Dedicated and Hardworking Research
Scholars
Role models/mentors
5
Ph.D - Doctor of Philosophy Typically, a ph D work, at least in Management, is highly
challenging and at times highly frustrating!.
There are occasions when a typical RS feels let down, low on
energy and may also in a mood to quit!.
To avoid this, and to make the work interesting, one must
understand the “Process” part of doing a Ph D.
The following points are based on discussion with a number
of faculty members and research scholars.
Impress on the RS importance of documentation
Make the Ph D work more meaningful by defining
some targets/deadlines, etc.
Remove the frustration part! (an ambitious aim
indeed!)
6
Importance of Documentation
It is important to understand the importance of documentation.
A research scholar (RS) must be comfortable in documentation. RS
must be in the habit of writing.
A regular habit is to be formed wherein writing skills are to be honed.
The writing could include: summary of a paper, some observations
about a phenomenon, a critique of the literature, etc. The following
could be opportunities to hone such skills:
Minutes of the meeting between guide and RS
Minutes of the proceedings between an expert and RS
Observations based on a recent Ph D viva voce attended
Summary of the proceedings of a conference /workshop
attended.
7
Proper Articulation
In the end, what matters is proper articulation of
ideas and work in the form of thesis.
The thesis cannot be built upon unless its
components such as background, literature
review, methodology, discussion, conclusions,
etc. are formed and woven properly.
Intermediate findings must be communicated-
may be through conference papers/social
media/notes/journal papers .
8
Visualizing the End First
Taking a clue from Stephen Covey’s habit of
“Visualizing the End First”, the RS must visualize how
his thesis is going to look like and then start preparing for
the same.
RS must write a tentative outline of the thesis. Say
he/she visualizes 8 Chapters in the thesis.
The tentative titles of these 8 chapters must be written
and one should start preparing folders for each of these
chapter.
Keep revising the contents of these folders as you
mature. A thumb rule could be : revise every month.
9
10 Tentative Titles
Based on the outline of the broad topic of the
thesis, a RS must write at least 10 tentative
titles of the thesis.
Keep revising these titles, as one proceeds.
These titles could be : Some studies on ,
Some Investigations into ----, Development
of a model: A case of …… etc.
10
Define the Goal, Timeline and the
Deliverables
A RS must define the goal , timeline and the
deliverables that are expected to the thesis.
He/she may browse through the past thesis
done by the students of his/her guide and /or
work submitted in his/her
department/institute/university.
This will help in understanding the expectations
from his/her Ph D work.
11
Collect Relevant Papers
A RS must collect as many relevant papers as
possible for his/her research.
These could be downloaded from a variety of
sources.
The date and source must be written in the
folder.
One should also not forget to take a regular
back –up of these folders.
12
Tentative Classification A tentative classification scheme of the
literature must be designed.
Accordingly, RS must start analyzing and
criticizing the literature by highlighting the
contribution in each of these classes.
13
Prepare a list of 25-30 possible key
words
RS must also prepare a list of 25-30
possible key words in the broad area of
research.
Then start collecting (downloading) papers
based on these key words.
14
Prepare a list of 25-30 tools/techniques
Based on the broad are, RS must prepare a list of 25-
30 tools/techniques that are going to be used.
Prepare a write up on each of these tools/techniques
based on the fundamental paper on that particular
tool/technique.
These techniques could include: AHP, ANP, GA,
Regression, Factor Analysis, SEM etc.
15
Use Proper Vocabulary and Terminology
A RS must befitting to his/her areas of
research.
A thumb rule is that a write up on the
Glossary of at least 50 concepts which are
going to be used in the research must be
prepared.
16
Set Publication Target
A RS must set a target of number of
papers he/she is going to publish/present.
Every opportunity of sharing the work
through a conference,
symposium/workshop , etc. be utilized.
17
List of at least 25 Good Journals
A list of at least 25 good journals along with their
impact factors must be prepared.
This list must be utilized in communicating the
research work.
The editorial policy and a sample of at least 2-3
papers in these journals must be filed.
18
Visualize Contributions
In any Ph D work, the contributions are sought after. RS must
visualize these contributions (from the eyes of his/her examiners)
first. These contributions could be:
Methodological contribution (devising a new method/algorithm)
Critique of the existing literature (wherein an objective
assessment o the literature is done)
Borrowing concepts from one domain to another (like Genetic
algorithm borrowed from biology and applied to engineering)
Combining apparently dissimilar ideas (from multiple domains
and synergizing these to one’s advantage)
The RS must visualize a bigger picture and be able to work on one
or many of the above. This will strengthen the thesis.
19
There are no well wishers in life, only
CRITIQUES!
A hard fact of life is that “ there are no well
wishers in life, only critiques “ is more relevant in
Ph D than in other walks of life.
This has to be taken in proper stride and one
must try to give his/her best shot.
20
Learn to interpret & digest
rejections
“Unacceptable” or “Unacceptable in its
present form”; seldom is the harsh word
“reject” used
Before you begin to weep, do two things.
First, remind yourself that you have a lot of
company; most of the good journals have reject
rates approximately (or exceeding) 50%.
Second, read the reject letter carefully because
there are different types of rejections.
21
Learn to interpret & digest
rejections (Cont.)
Third type - you probably should consider the
necessary repairs
Second type (seriously flawed) - you should
probably not resubmit the same manuscript to
the same journal, unless you can make a
convincing case to the editor that the reviewers
seriously misjudged your manuscript.
First type - if the manuscript is really bad, you
probably should not resubmit it anywhere, for
fear that publication might damage your
reputation.
22
Learn to interpret & digest
rejections(cont.)
We have read your manuscript with boundless delight. If we were to publish your paper, it would be impossible for us to publish any work of a lower standard. And as it is unthinkable that, in the next thousand years, we shall see its equal, we are, to our regret, compelled to return your divine composition, and to beg you a thousand times to overlook our short sight and timidity.
EDITORS MAY GO HARSH TO THIS EXTENT!
DON’T GET DISHEARTENED!
FAILURE HAS ATLEAST MADE YOU BRAVE AND COURAGEOUS!
23
Most common reasons for rejection of a
manuscript
24
MOST COMMON REASONS FOR REJECTING ARTICLE MANUSCRIPTS (Cited by 85 Editors of Scientific and Technical Journals)
Reason
Number of
Respondents
Subject
Not suitable for journal
Not timely
63
4
Coverage
Questionable significance
Questionable validity
Too shallow
Too exhaustive
55
39
39
8
Length
Too long
Too short
26
4
Presentation
Bad organization
Ineffective expression
Ineffective or unusable illustrations
Failure to follow style guide
35
33
11
4
Dangers!
Lack of patience
Expectation for quick outcomes
Isolation
Suspicion
False comparison and JEALOUSY!
Pressure of peripheral issues – Emotional Drain!
25
Remedy
Be Proactive
Be Sympathetic
Be Courageous
26
Remedy 1: Be Proactive!
Go through OLD THESIS
Entrepreneurial THRIVE
Interaction with GUIDE
Interaction with PEER-RESEARCH scholars
Learn from the mistakes of others – Attend
pre-synopsis , synopsis seminars
27
Remedy 2: Be Sympathetic!
Failures and Fear are part of Ph.D
Feeling drained of energy is OBVIOUS!
Receiving rejections is LEARNING!
Little irritation and agony are OBVIOUS!
Be sympathetic to yourself!
Celebrate each small achievement!
28
Remedy 3: Be Courageous!
Learn to DARE!
Think novel ideas and convert into
application!
Challenge/ Criticize views of other
researchers!
Assertively support your work during
your presentations!
29
Key!
Standardize
Reduce
Consolidate
30
Competencies expected from a
researcher
Intellectual competencies
Future-building competencies
Management competencies
Relationship competencies
Personal competencies
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