Literature concerning doctoral research, particularly texts intended to assist students, has the tendency to present what appears to be linear and straightforward process. This is not helpful. The most insightful, and usually in retrospect, enjoyable research, tends to be a series of steps, some deliberate, some tentative. The key to success is recognising that when examining practice there is frequently a mismatch between what’s theorised(explained) in elegant models and the world of practitioners. 

 

‘Navigating’ oneself on the doctoral journey requires stamina and resilience and a recognition of the inherent uncertainty. You will need develop coping mechanisms to be able to deal with what are likely to be inevitable‘mis-steps’. Don’t expect literature to provide the route map to success. The best advice provided will describe the need to formulate probing questions and willingness to adapt thinking. Remember, simple questions elicit simple answers. However, codifying responses to standardised questionnaires is no substitute to being‘in the field’ and interpreting nuanced responses. 

 

This presentation will describe the infinite range of possibilities any researcher can avail of when they allow themselves to rethink and reflect. In effect, a doctoral researcher can experience the unique position of being the‘fly in the room’– ethical considerations of confidentiality notwithstanding- in being able to allow those who do to provide their explanation of what actually occurs in daily organisational practice. As such, the doctoral research can shine a light into what works in organisational practice, and what doesn’t, and how processes used to achieve operational processes(output) is all-too-often based on fuzzy logic and compromise, very rarely described in seminal management and business texts. 

 

This free interactive webinar will start at 12.00noon UK time(GMT+1).

 

To maximise the learning for participants, questions may be posted to the webinar discussion board after your registration. These will be addressed during the webinar.

Key learning outcomes of this webinar include:

• Competence in developing research plans that can be adapted if required
• Ability to appreciate the range of tools and tactics employed by researchers to cope with change
• Recognition of the mismatch between theory and practice
• Understanding the power of refection and agility in‘the field’
• Presenting faithful accounts of practice(what works)
• Confidence in challenging existing theory