How to be more successful with PhD?

A PhD is an arduous journey. For the success of a PhD programme, as well as for the scholars pursuing a PhD, it must deliver proportionate returns to the individual, the institution and society. The potential of a PhD is tremendous. It can give tremendous returns, results, and success. However, it does not look like many individuals across many places and institutions are yet realising the true potential of PhD work and process. One reason this potential is not being realised is the way PhDs are pursued, and this needs a serious relook.

In his academic and research journey of around three decades, the author has asked this question to various students: why are they doing a PhD? Many times, the answers are far from encouraging. For example, answers include: I have joined a PhD because I am preparing for civil services and the JRF money is good support; I am doing a PhD because I want to add “Doctor” in front of my name; I want to take a break from the tough life of industry and that’s why I am doing a PhD; I am doing a PhD because my family wants me to do a PhD as everyone else has a PhD; I could not crack the job that I wanted, and a PhD might help me get some job, and so on.

Among the various answers given by students, the love for research and the research process, as well as the zeal to contribute, are sometimes missing. This is a big reason why a PhD does not deliver the kind of success it could. When the why of doing a PhD is weak, the likelihood of producing high-quality work is significantly reduced.

Another thing that is missing, even when students have a genuine desire to pursue a PhD, is fearlessness—the boldness needed to approach a research problem. When one starts viewing a PhD as a way to avoid risk, the likelihood of producing high-quality output is significantly reduced.

So, what should a PhD student who has the desire and will to be a good PhD student do? Here are some steps that can help.

First, the “why” of doing a PhD should be clear and strong.

Second, there should be some amount of fearlessness and boldness in choosing a research topic.

Third, one should apply the criteria outlined below when choosing a research topic:

One should choose a research problem that really matters. For this, one should spend a reasonable amount of time identifying a problem that truly matters and ignoring unnecessary noise that distracts.

Second, the problem that really matters should also have good potential to create an impact.

Third, to sustain the effort over time, it should be possible to solve the problem, or at least part of it, within the stipulated 3- to 5-year time period. Even if one works only on a part of the problem and finds a solution, one can continue working on the remaining aspects after the PhD.

These three are essential criteria to use, in addition to other commonly discussed criteria such as need, the recency, research gap and so on, which are generally covered in PhD programmes.

By following these three principles—having a strong “why” for doing a PhD, having atleast some amount of fearlessness and boldness, and choosing the proper criteria to identify a research topic—one can be in a much better position to achieve greater success in the PhD programme than is commonly seen today. And this is good for the student, the institution, society and for the evolution of PhD itself.

(This article is written by Dr. Rajesh K Pillania, Professor, Management Development Institute, Gurgaon. This is an opinionated article; EPN has nothing to do with this editorial.)