======= Date Modified 14 Apr 2011 14:23:47 =======
Thanks Keenbean!

My project will be part-time and self funded, to give me time to work and build experience etc. It is also my own project idea, and so not one that's been advertised or has an existing research focus.

I have briefly spoken about this to my MSc. supervisor, but she was really rather vague and not much help! Although she is actually the one I want to supervise my PhD due to her research interests etc.

When I spoke with her about this she said it's customary for students to apply and then simply have the application passed around to anyone who might be interested. My work is based on occupational psychology, although when considering stress this might easily be taken by another researcher as appropriate.

It just seems all abit whimiscal. I've put far more effort in to ethics protocol than what the application appears to want!

I did investigate funding and I admit that form was very different; well in fact there was an additional proposal type form on top of the application.

I guess I'm just concerned that I'm going to be hit with a really heavy piece of work. My ideas are not that concrete and need refining, although I'm just not sure how I can be that detailed in 150 words!

Hi,

This could be a daft question but I'm confused and would appreciate some advice.

I would like to apply for a PhD (psychology) at my current uni (MSc. student). I've completed all of the usual information on background etc. however I at a loss as to the other two sections. First I'm asked to write 150 words giving a brief outline of my project plan. Second I'm given the opportunity to write a personal statement about why I would like to do the course etc.

I was expecting to have to submit at least a proposal with relevant literature review, outline research questions/hypothesis etc.

I realise that the personal statement is fairly standard for university applications at any level.

However is this the usual process for a PhD? and if so should I be expected to follow up with a detailed proposal soon after the application?

-Flight upgrades
-Pref treatment at restaurants/hotels
-Cheaper insurance
-Leverage when making complaints

Cleaning is always a good place to start, because no matter how long ago you cleaned last you can always find more!

May not be relevant, but in my experience, qualitative projects often have an increased word limit for all of the transcribing. So if you're meant to do 100,000 for a quantitative, I guess this would be higher...

Thanks KB, that's really useful.

I've only just completed my BSc. and had intended to go on to a MSc. occupational psych course. this would then allow me to begin working towards chartership.

I've started to lean toward research as a possible career move. I'm split between my interest in work/occ.psych and social psych. (my favourite module at undergrad). So I guess the ideal thing would be something like workplace identities. I'm thinking along the lines of diversity (race, religion, sex.orientation, gender whatever...) in the workplace. I also have an interest in specific learning difficulties, so perhaps i could link this in to diversity too.

I guess on reflection my main obstacle is to understand which Master's (occ. or social) I should look at, and then work in my ideas from there.

You've given me plenty to think about!

I was wondering how people set about choosing the subject of their PhD. I understand that for some, this will be an extension of undergrad/Master's work or simply just an interest.

However for those who were not completely set on a topic from the start, how did you decide? Psychology is my interest, but there are many different areas which particularly catch my eye. Did you find a researcher whose work sounds interesting or maybe you looked for projects/advertised posts generally?

Any relevant information appreciated.

Apparently even having a Ph.D doesn't make you smart...