Being Bright Is Not Enough: The Unwritten Rules of Doctoral Study

by Peggy Hawley

This third edition has been well revised and continues with the ideas expressed in the previous two editions. The details and reactions in light of experiences of the intervening years have been updated and expanded. This particularly interesting book is written from a student advocacy perspective, intended to speak to nontraditional students as well as those typical of past generations. Specific topics (1) how doctoral study differs from previous pursuits; (2) choosing a dissertation topic; (3) your chair, your committee, and you; (4) writing the proposal; (5) the dissertation; (6) defense of the thesis; and (7) spouses, family and friends. From the 'Looking back upon my academic career, one of the memories that brings me the most pleasure are the words students used to pass along to each other, 'If you have a problem, go see Peggy Hawley.' My distress at seeing bright students drop out and my interest in social science research combined to provide the impetus for writing this book. On a yearlong sabbatical leave I interviewed hundreds of doctoral students and dozens of professors across the nation. Then as professor emeritus, I finally found the time to put my thoughts into words . . . .' In making the unwritten rules of doctoral study more explicit, the author has attempted to be insightful rather than scientific, personal rather than objective, and practical rather than theoretical. This guide will therefore help to pave the way for those recipients who will pursue and capture academe's highest the terminal degree in a particular field of study.

Genres: Academia

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Ronni Kurtz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A practical guide to pursuing doctoral studies - especially Ph.D. Work. As one can imagine there is much in this practical study that isn't applicable to every discipline. There were full chapters that had little to do with Ph.D. work in Theological studies. However, there were lines sprinkled through each chapter that made the read worth it.

[James Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful
Dr. Hawley writes that her goal was to encourage those who start their doctorate not to end up as an ABD (All But Dissertation). Her hope is to be a “kind of mentor” to help students meet the challenges ahead with a minimum of stress. She also states that she wrote with the non-traditional student in mind. That is those students who must work and attend school part-time, older people returning to update their skills, minorities and foreign students who have found and academic home in this country. Hawley says that there are “politics” involved with doctoral study. By that she means there are things that the student can’t control. She then lists some of those “politics”: (1) how doctoral study differs from previous pursuits; (2) choosing a dissertation topic; (3) your chair, your committee, and you; (4) writing the proposal; (5) the dissertation; (6) the defense of the thesis; (7) spouses, family, and friends. The book is helpful and full of practical advice.

[Samuel G. Parkison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical

[Samuel Bierig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful in so far as it applies to your particular discipline

[Phillip Howell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the book was really helpful but too much of the advice didn’t apply to my research in theology. If you are doing statistical research of some kind then it would likely be even more helpful.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really helpful in some ways, but not too helpful for those pursuing theological studies.

[Stephen Antczak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually read the 2010 Third Edition. Found it very informative.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Peggy Hawley explains in the opening chapter of her book, her goal is to write from a student-advocacy position, aiming toward insight and personal experience rather than science and statistic. While the personal anecdotes that make up a large bulk of the text seem to run a bit long, they add personality and insight to the overall study. Beyond these lengthy anecdotes is a wealth of good advice for doctoral students, or those considering pursuing a PhD, in the humanities or social sciences.

From the beginning of the book to the end, Haley takes on the role of mentor/advisor, coaching students and potential students through the process of navigating turbulent academic waters. This is a good book to read before facing difficulty in one's doctoral program, as it provides advice on many of the necessary steps to building a firm foundation in one's department and field of study. Sadly, far too few students receive this sort of advice as they work through their programs, and such ignorance can only contribute to the nearly 50% drop-out rate of doctoral students. I would go so far as to say that this should be required reading for anyone contemplating a PhD in the humanities or social sciences, as the advice and information that Hawley provides are not only accurate and relevant, but possibly degree-saving.

[Mark Drinnenberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a must-read for anyone contemplating or starting work on a PhD. It's written by a woman who knows the ins and outs of the process. She writes to help people navigate their way through toward earning a doctorate. She is honest about the politics and professorial egos that must me dealt with and how to deal with them. She is honest about the hard work involved and the effect it can have upon the student's family and psyche. She gives advice down to details like making sure you take a bottle of water or soda with you into your oral defense.

My reason for not giving this book five stars was simply that she spent so much time talking about statistical research methods. I have never had a class in statistics, and some of that material may as well have been in Assyrian cuneiform to me. Not all dissertations require that type of research, but for those that do, that material may be gold.

I can see this book being a handy reference manual for anyone who embarks on pursuit of a PhD.

[Matt Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for those pursuing or considering pursuing a doctorate, especially in the social sciences. It gives a fair amount of information which can be considered to be from "inside the system," coming from a professor who considers herself to be a "student activist."

I wish there would have been a bit more on working on a dissertation which has more of a focus on areas in the humanities which would require more of an archival or historical approach.

[Don Henrikson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a new doctoral student, I can use all the advice I can get. It seems that Dr. Hawley has written a book with the genuinely noble intention of helping those of who start such adventures see then to their intended conclusion.