PhD Microskills: Literature Search and Reference Management Nadiyah Elias Department of Counseling and Psychology Universiti Utara Malaysia

Keep your outlook simple

To get a PhD, what you need to do: • One research project • One research report

(thesis/dissertation) • One presentation (viva voce/

defense/oral)

To qualify for a PhD standard, You need to demonstrate that you work

is: • An original work (if you must

replicate other people’s work, make some modifications)

• A contribution to knowledge (don’t just quote, add your own thoughts)

To survive your PhD, you need these skills:

• Hunting skills: for lit search, and to handle your advisor

• Groveling skills: for your advisor and the librarian, definitely for your respondents.

• Quick study: for the methods section, computer skills, driving up the spiral parking, formatting your thesis.

… More survival skills • Help seeking skills: data management, data

gathering, baby sitting, psychiatric help • Housekeeping skills: for reference and

data management (never mind your house for now)

• English (vocabulary and speed reading) • Writing skills: for impressive write-up of

your thesis

Ways to Psych Yourself Up and Keep in view what you are doing

• The Thesis Binder • The list of references (Endnote) • The notes (Endnote & Word) • The mind map • The thesis file

The Thesis Binder A concrete thesis (in the making) in your hand – now!

(For realistic thickness, put in blank papers first) • Put the cover with your name, title, department and

your intended graduation year ( example: June 2015)

• Make dividers for preface, chapter 1-5, reference, and appendices.

• You can start by writing the acknowledgement and dedications.

• Put the latest drafts in.

The Mind Map • Mahjong paper or use mind mapping

software • Paste on the wall of your study/ bedroom.

You can add ideas with marker pen, put a new one if it gets too messy.

• For conceptual ideas of your study/ thesis • Use a separate mind map for ch1, ch2, ch3

The Thesis (softcopy) • For simple handling, use separate files for

different chapters. • Put in one folder labeled PhD thesis (do not

mix with other stuff) • For interim draft, the endnote references

will be printed separately at the end of each chapter. (Your advisor would not mind this draft format if you tell them about using Endnote)

• You can learn how to combine the chapters later on before you submit your final draft.

….The Thesis Softcopy • Type up the chapter headings, subtopics

etc. Use the correct format from beginning. Buy APA guide!

• Type up a separate table of contents ( you will later learn how to use the table of contents format for exact pagination- before submitting final draft)

…. Thesis Softcopy • Type your notes directly into the thesis

file under appropriate headings, with complete references. (keep copy of your phrases/sentences in your ‘note’ section of Endnote) You can always move it later- buy type it in, and place it first!!!

• Use floating notes sparingly. (only for something you think is interesting, but of no immediate use. Use keywords and paste it in a separate word files called ‘floaters’ or ‘the stacks’

Floating Notes@ Floaters @ The Stacks

• One page per entry ( you can use half page for economy- use recycled paper and cheap ink)

• Type up keywords, • Paste the full references • If it has many keywords - print one copy per

keywords. • Kep n stacks/ rubberband by keywords. • You might not use these notes, but you need

them to keep track of your readings, else they will be lost in Endnote.

Floaters KJ Method

• Use quarter paper or 1/16th • Write down only one idea on each

piece • Sort papers according to themes • From themes, make up subtitles for

paragraphs • Use mindmap to help position the

themes

Endnote and Reference Management

Your Articles • Plan to read them only once • Extract important points, type in your thesis

file under appropriate sub titles, paste in Endnote notes (for later use- post PhD)

• Type in your references [or copy from Ebsco host etc; but this is to be learned at other times]

• Mark the article as read and store using a system (so that you can easily retrieve them later should you need to do so)

• Move to another article (life is short, PhD life is shorter)

Some Stuff You Need to Remember about Endnote

• UUM only have Endnote X. It is not automatically integrated with the latest Words. You need to learn how to integrate them.

• Your Endnote library is portable, (You can save it in your thumb drive), but the endnote setting is only for your computer. If you use multiple computers, you need to keep the settings similar or you will get headaches.

• Do not change the Endnote setting on your friend’s computer without their permission!!!!