Your PhD thesis insurance: be prepared when things go wrong.... #phd #phdlife #gradschool

TL;DR

Learn how to create backup plans, collaborate with others, and approach experiments from different angles to save your thesis and ensure timely graduation during your PhD.

Transcript

almost none of the experiments i set up during my phd worked out in fact the vast majority of them failed and so what's very important for you to think about is how you can still save your thesis and graduate in time and this is what this video is about and we're starting right now things can and very likely will go wrong during your phd there's no... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🎓 Experiments during a PhD often fail, so backup plans are crucial for preserving thesis progress and ensuring timely graduation.
• 🌱 Consult with your thesis advisor to ensure backup plans align with project requirements and regulations.
• 👨‍🔬 Consider different study types, such as field experiments, observational studies, or review papers, to diversify your research approach.
• 💾 Collaborating with other researchers can save your thesis by utilizing their experiments or studies.
• 🥺 Looking at failed experiments from different angles can lead to new and interesting discoveries.
• 🤑 Setting up smaller, simpler experiments alongside complex ones provides a backup option in case of failure.
• 🤗 Design experiments with open-ended questions to increase the chances of obtaining interesting results.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is it important to have backup plans during your PhD?

Backup plans are essential because experiments often fail, and without them, your thesis progress and graduation timeline can be severely affected. Having alternative methods or study types can help ensure progress is made.

Q: What should you consider when developing backup plans?

When creating backup plans, it is crucial to consult with your thesis advisor to ensure they align with the project's requirements. Additionally, consider different study types, such as field experiments, observational studies, review papers, or meta-analyses, to diversify your research approach.

Q: How can collaborations help save your thesis?

Collaborating with other researchers can be beneficial when experiments fail. By reaching out to others who have set up experiments or studies on related topics, you can potentially sample their data or contribute to their projects, saving your own thesis progress.

Q: How can you approach failed experiments from a different angle?

Instead of seeing a failed experiment as a complete failure, try to analyze it from a different perspective. Look for alternative interpretations or smaller aspects of the experiment that can still contribute to your thesis. This creativity can lead to new and interesting discoveries.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Experiments during a PhD often fail, so it is crucial to have backup plans to save your thesis and ensure graduation.

• Talk to your thesis advisor to ensure your backup plans align with the project's requirements and regulations.

• Consider various study types, such as field experiments, observational studies, or review papers, to drive your thesis forward.