How can I be a professional researcher?

I want to be a fully fessional researcher at the end of my PhD study, and herewith my progress to date:

1. I must have something to say that my peers want to listen to (Yes, I have)
   
2. I must have a command of what is happening in my subject so that I can evaluate the worth of what others are doing.(Sort of)
   
3. I must have to astuteness to discover where I can make a useful contribution. (Yes, I have)
   
4. I must be aware of the ethics of my profession and work within them. (Yes, I am aware of them)
   
5. I must have mastery of appropriate techniques that are currently being used and also be aware of their limitations. (I am still learning)
   
6. I must be able to communicate my results effectively in the professional arena. (Further practice needed)
   
7. All this must be carried out in an international context: being aware of what is being discovered, argued about, written and published by my academic across the world. (Doing my research in the UK and reviewing literature worldwide would allow me to reach this)
   
8. I must be able to evaluate and re-evaluate my own work and that of others in the light of current developments. (I am doing this via reflective and reflexive thinking)
   

Reference: Pugh and Philips (2005) How to get a PhD

: 10 Feb 2009 21:09 |  Tags: Research |  Comments (0) |  Report a problem