Below you will find some tips from former Ph.D. candidates, including some hints and tips, advice on preparing your dissertation defense, and references to books and journal articles on completing a Ph.D. project successfully as well as kick-starting your scientific career.
Hints and tips
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Make choices; don't try to study everything.
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Make your expectations towards your supervisors explicit.
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Find out what your supervisors expect from you. The easiest way is usually simply to ask.
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Don't wait too long before carrying out your first data collection. Data collection often gives you insight and direction.
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Don't despair when your participants don't show up. It happens all the time and persistence does pay off.
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Don't work all alone; discuss your research with colleagues. This keeps you from thinking in circles.
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Remember: Nonsignificant results are also results.
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Make use of the strengths of your supervisors and do not get annoyed at their weaknesses (they're only human).
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Take up some additional functions, but do not forget that the dissertation has to be ready on time. This is your main goal.
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Make a detailed "to do" list about a year before your dissertation defense.
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Make use of the experience of former Ph.D. candidates to help you through the last year.
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Keep track of the formal processes with regard to the dissertation defense.
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Rehearse your dissertation defense with colleagues. Formulate possible questions and answers.
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You may not realize it yet, but despite difficulties you may encounter, as a Ph.D. candidate you've got a great job with many degrees of freedom, which is quite unique, so enjoy your position!
Further reading
Phillips, E. M., & Pugh, D. S. (2005). How to get a PhD: A handbook for students and their supervisors, 4th ed. Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press.
Articles from a special issue with advice for beginning researchers, aimed at educational psychologists, but equally relevant for any other social scientist:
McCormick, C., & Barnes, B. (2008). Getting started in academia: A guide for educational psychologists. Educational Psychology Review, 20(1), 5-18.
Mayer, R. (2008). Old advice for new researchers. Educational Psychology Review, 20(1), 19-28.
Nihalani, P., & Mayrath, M. (2008). Publishing in educational psychology journals: Comments from editors. Educational Psychology Review, 20(1), 29-39.
Mayrath, M. (2008). Attributions of productive authors in educational psychology journals. Educational Psychology Review, 20(1), 41-56.
Halpern, D. (2008). Nurturing careers in psychology: Combining work and family. Educational Psychology Review, 20(1), 57-64.
Chen, X., & Anderson, R. (2008). Reflections on becoming a successful researcher. Educational Psychology Review, 20(1), 65-70.
Alexander, P. (2008). Yes...but: Footnotes to sage advice. Educational Psychology Review, 20(1), 71-77.
Kiewra, K. (2008). Advice for developing scholars. Educational Psychology Review, 20(1), 79-86.
