For those who have attained or are working on their doctoral degrees by research, did you have your topic picked out before you contacted the university, or did you determine a topic after some discussion with your future advisor? I ask because I have read that in tradional programs many times individuals either change their topic or determine it during coursework. Without the benefit of coursework, how did you go about it? Thanks, Dave
My application required a research proposal. I pick something in which my employer was interested, which helped me with the story of them footing the bill. Also something I was interested in. As I attended the first residency, I found an advisor that had some different interests, and so we went back and forth until we found a common ground of a topic that would interst him and myself.
=== I had my topic picked and even initially researched before I suggested it in my application. At first my promoter thought it was a topic too well grazed. But he bought it after I explained that my approach was , as far as I know, before not done. In my area, Systematic Theology, frankly, I don't know how one could expect to go from MA into PhD...simply too much of a foundation needed. I had around 120 grad sem units in the general area before I ever broached doc study. So, I had aplenty the benefit of coursework. But some , sharper I guess than I, do begin with much less coursework and succeed.
My experience was quite similar to that of Kristie. I had researched the department faculty and so had a clear sense of their research interests. I found that there was enough overlap so that even if my first topic suggestion fell flat I could come up with a couple of alternatives with little difficulty. The admissions application requires you to give a general idea of your research area. This is to insure that you can be adequately supervised through your dissertation. It has worked out well to date. Jack
I had mine already chosen when I started, but that is a relatively rare occurrence. Most people over on this side of the pond have some idea of the general area at the beginning, but don't firm up their ideas completely until they write their formal proposal at the end of their first year, unless they've received funding that is tied to a specific topic. The usual approach over here (I'm not so sure about the ozzies or the boks) is to first narrow down to a few departments you think might do things in which you're interested in (and, conversely, might be interested in you) and then approach either the graduate admissions tutor or the member of staff you think you'd like to study with for an informal discussion. The only proviso I'd make is simple. Pick a topic you really, really like. You're going to have to live with the damn thing day and night for the next several years, so put as much care into choosing as you would into choosing your spouse: if you don't, the results can be just as painful! Angela
