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Reflecting on the role of emotions in the PhD process
Conference paper   Open access

Reflecting on the role of emotions in the PhD process

A. Morrison-Saunders, S.A. Moore, D. Newsome and J. Newsome
14th Annual Teaching Learning Forum (Murdoch University, Western Australia, 03/02/2005–04/02/2005)
2005
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Abstract

This research project examined the role of emotions in the PhD process through an exploratory, qualitative, self reflective study by six recent or current PhD candidates. Despite differences in the nature of the PhD fields of study, and in the personal backgrounds of the participants, a number of common themes were recognised. We developed an interactive workshop for postgraduate students in which participants were asked to reflect on their emotional experiences in their own studies. The combined information from these sources was used to suggest some strategies for management of negative emotions that may arise during the PhD process. Of critical importance is the multiple roles of the PhD supervisor in helping manage the negative emotions that most PhD students inevitably experience at some stage in their candidature. Most important, though, is the role of self reflection in identifying potential emotional problems and their solutions; a process we recommend to PhD candidates and supervisors.

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