PhD student seminar - Education 1600-SZD-SDOK-PED
The doctoral seminar aims to support PhD students in the preparation of their doctoral thesis and in developing the necessary skills to become researchers. Participants will work on various stages of their doctoral work, including progress diagnosis, methodology, presentation of research results, academic writing, and defense preparation. The seminar is designed for PhD students at different stages of their research, offering support in improving the quality and clarity of their academic writing and preparing for their defense.
The seminar consists of seven thematic modules, delivered through lectures, consultations, and discussions. The course's objective is to help PhD students improve their doctoral thesis and prepare for the defense. Participants will analyze their doctoral work regarding methodology, presentation of results, and the quality of academic writing. The program also includes transforming the thesis into academic articles, which can be an important step in the student’s academic career. Furthermore, the seminar will feature defense simulations to prepare students for difficult questions and share experiences. At the end of the seminar, individual consultations will be provided to discuss progress and offer guidance for further doctoral work development.
Modules:
1. Introduction and Progress Diagnosis
2. Methodology – Is My Research Well Described?
3. Presenting and Interpreting Research Results
4. Academic Writing – Clarity, Style, and Argumentation
5. Writing for Publication – How to Transform a Doctoral Thesis into an Article?
6. Defense Simulation – How to Answer Difficult Questions?
7. Final Consultations and Summary
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Skills:
UW_1 Can use knowledge of various scientific or artistic disciplines to creatively identify, formulate and innovatively solve complex problems or perform research tasks, and specifically: define the purpose and subject of research and formulate a research hypothesis, develop and creatively use research methods, techniques and tools, draw conclusions from research results
UW_2 Can make a critical analysis and evaluation of the results of scientific research, expert activity and other creative works and their contribution to the development of knowledge
UK_1 Can communicate on specialist topics to a degree enabling active participation in the international research community
UK_3 Can initiate a debate
UK_4 Can participate in the scientific discourse
Social competences:
KK_1 Is ready to critically evaluate the achievements of a given scientific or artistic discipline
KK_2 Is ready to critically evaluate own contribution to the development of a given scientific or artistic discipline
Other:
After completing the course, students will be able to:
Knowledge
• Critically assess the progress of their doctoral thesis, identifying strengths and areas for improvement, and plan further steps in their research.
• Analyze and evaluate the relevance and rigor of research methodologies applied in their doctoral work, ensuring a sound theoretical and methodological framework.
Skills
• Present research results clearly and effectively, tailoring the presentation for both academic audiences and potential publication.
• Improve academic writing by refining clarity, structure, argumentation, and style, ensuring it meets the standards of high-quality academic writing.
• Prepare and transform portions of their doctoral thesis into publishable academic articles, including writing abstracts and summaries for conferences or journals.
Attitudes
• Reflect critically on their own research process and written work, integrating feedback to continuously improve and refine their doctoral thesis.
• Embrace constructive criticism and apply it to strengthen their research, writing, and presentation skills, maintaining an open-minded approach to peer and mentor feedback.
Assessment criteria
• Teaching methods: lectures, discussions, individual consultations, analysis of doctoral thesis sections, defense simulations, written assignments.
• Assessment criteria:
o Engagement and Participation – 40% (Evaluation of participants' activity in discussions, exercises, and group collaboration).
o Development of Research and Academic Skills – 40% (Progress in developing research and academic skills)
o Work on Thesis Section – 20% (Evaluation of progress in improving sections of the doctoral thesis).
Bibliography
Selected academic articles on research methodology, academic writing, and publishing results.