Doing a PhD: The Hero’s Journey
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About this ebook
Doing a PhD is no easy thing. It rates as one of the most difficult, yet rewarding things a person will ever do in their life. Much has been written on the process of doing a PhD, as a trawl through a book store will confirm. There have been quite few good books published on the topic. In addition to these, universities generously provide detailed information on doing a PhD. The world does not need another book that goes over that same ground.
What the world does need is information about the psychological factors that make a PhD student successful. They are the same factors that make a good researcher, someone who can make a contribution to knowledge in their chosen field.
If you are reading this, you probably have an interest in what it takes to get a PhD. Maybe it is a burning desire, maybe more like a passing fancy. In any case, it is a major life-choice, one which you need to be fully informed about before you make it.
If you decide to do a PhD, you should know what the success factors are before you start. Many candidates start out confidently but drop out along the way because they were not clear on this important point.
So if you are trying to decide whether to do a PhD, or are wondering if you have what it takes, this book is for you. It is a portrait of the successful PhD student. Do you recognise yourself?
There has never been a better time to do a PhD. The number of people in the world who have the desire and the access to higher education is rising exponentially. As more people, particularly in the developing world gain access to the Internet more options are now available to people. Few things contribute more to raising the overall standard of living and quality of life in a community than education.
The established university model has endured for a thousand years and is still going strong. Long may it prosper. In the 11th Century there were just four universities in the world; Bologna, Salerno, Modena and Paris. In the 21st Century there are around 10,000 universities around the world and the number is rising.
The traditional university is now being supplemented by the rise of the on-line university, offering everything from Associate Degrees up to PhDs across a wide range of subject areas. Thankfully, geographic location is now no barrier to getting an education.
David Tuffley
David Tuffley (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Ethics & Socio-Technical Studies at Griffith University in Australia.David writes on a broad range of interests; from Comparative Religion, Anthropology, Psychology, Ancient and Modern History, Linguistics, Rhetoric, Philosophy, Architectural History, Environments and Ecosystems.
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- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This book helped me to understand the mindset needed to endure a PhD.
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Doing a PhD - David Tuffley
Doing a PhD: The Hero’s Journey
David Tuffley
Published by Altiora Publications at Smashwords
© Copyright 2013 David Tuffley
If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? Albert Einstein
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.
About the Author
David Tuffley PhD is a Lecturer in Applied Ethics & Socio-Technical Studies at Griffith University in Australia.
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Contents
Preface
Chapter 1: The Hero’s Journey
Chapter 2: What Is A PhD?
Chapter 3: Specific Attributes
Chapter 4: General Attributes
Appendix A: Types of Intelligence
Appendix B: Your Advisor
Appendix C: The Research Question
Appendix D: The Literature Review
Preface
There has never been a better time to do a PhD or indeed to get an education. Thanks to the Internet there are a rapidly growing number of people in the world who now have access to higher education. Coupled with the desire to better themselves, few things have the potential to raising the overall standard of communities than education.
The established university model has endured for a thousand years and is still going strong; and long may it endure. In the 11th Century there were just four universities in the world; Bologna, Salerno, Modena and Paris. In the 21st Century there are around 10,000 universities around the world and the number is rising.
The traditional university is now being supplemented by the rise of the on-line university, offering everything from Associate Degrees up to PhDs across a wide range of disciplines. Thankfully, geographic location is now no barrier to getting an education.
Doing a PhD is one of the most difficult, yet rewarding things a person will ever do in their life. Much has been written on the process of doing a PhD, as a quick trawl through an on-line bookstore will confirm. There have been quite few good books published on the topic. In addition to these, universities generously provide detailed information on doing a PhD. The world does not need another book that goes over that same ground.
What the world does need is information about the psychological factors that make a PhD student successful. They are the same factors that make a good researcher, someone who can make a contribution to knowledge in their chosen field.
If you are reading this, you probably have an interest in what it takes to get a PhD. Maybe it is a burning desire, maybe more like a passing fancy. In any case, it is a major life-choice, one which you need to be fully informed about before you make it.
If you decide to do a PhD, you should know what the success factors are before you start. Many candidates start out confidently but drop out along the way because they were not clear on this important point.
So if you are trying to decide whether to do a PhD, or are wondering if you have what it takes, this book is for you. It is a portrait of the successful PhD student. Do you recognise yourself?
Chapter 1: The Hero’s Journey
The concept of The Hero's Journey was first discussed in Joseph Campbell’s 1949 book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. It has special relevance because doing a PhD is a heroic endeavour if ever there was one. By knowing the 12 stages of the journey, you can be better prepared.
The well-known anthropologist Joseph Campbell recognised the pattern of The Hero’s Journey after a careful study of hundreds of myths and stories from diverse cultures and across historical periods. Campbell found a consistent pattern to the narratives of Gautama Buddha, Moses, and Christ and others and argues persuasively that the classic myths and stories from many cultures follow this same basic pattern. The inescapable conclusion is that the pattern is deeply embedded in human nature. One could argue that it is an instinct that we evolved with over millions of years.
Campbell describes a Hero as someone who has dedicated their life to some worthy endeavour, something bigger and more important than oneself. The Hero’s Journey is a journey of self-improvement, one which involves a personal transformation to complete. To embark on such a journey, whether it is to do a PhD or walk the pilgrim path to Santiago De