Revised Synthesis/Dessertation Development

Running head: SYNTHESIS PAPER 1

SYNTHESIS PAPER 5

Synthesis Paper:

Student’s Name:

Institutional Affiliation:

Synthesis Paper

Introduction

Doctoral students need to have research skills that will help them to develop and implement ideas. All three articles have focused on how these students can improve their skills and, thus, becoming competent. The article by Baker & Pifer (2011) focuses on imparting students with personal, professional, and transferrable skills to make them perform well in their careers. Smith and Hatmaker (2014) are interested in making students know what they need to do and do it. Hence, they shall develop their professional identity. Gardener (2009) says that students need to cultivate a good relationship with the faculty to be guided in their research. In all three, themes of academic success, relationships, and self-drive are evident.

Theme 1: Academic Success

Achieving success in academics involves getting good grades and getting all the goals that were set. According to Baker & Pifer (2011), doctoral students should be imparted with the requisite skills to succeed academically. There should be both in-class and online tutorials to make sure that the students complete their studies successfully. Online platforms can be used even when the supervisor is not on campus, and they can answer whatever the questions students have. Therefore, it’s convenient. Students can also do assignments online and submit them where the system grades them automatically. Students need to be committed to their studies to have the necessary research skills (Gardener, 2009). Consistency and positivity should be embraced at all times. They should also consult their supervisors for directions and advice so that they remain on the right track. They should set targets in terms of the grades and scores they want to get, and that will make them work harder. Students who are proactive and develop a good relationship with the faculty become successful in their studies (Smith & Hatmaker, 2015). There was a study that was done among students researching public administration in European and American universities. Doctoral students should know what they want and make things happen instead of waiting for things to happen. They start reading and doing research to make themselves better. In the process, they develop ideas that are tested and proven to be helpful in the society. Thus, they become change agents in the society and they feel that have accomplished something.

Theme 2: Relationships

Relationships involve getting networks where the doctoral students should relate well with the faculty, other doctoral students, and professionals (Smith and Hatmaker, 2015). Gardener (2009) and Baker & Pifer (2011) emphasize on the same issue. Faculty members have experienced research that can offer good guidance mentorship to the students. Therefore, it is good to be close to them, and that will lead to success. Also, doctoral students should relate well with one another to assist each other in their studies and research. Success requires others, and thus, it is good to know how to deal with people. Being able to get along well with people helps build communication skills necessary for the workplace. No one can lead people without being good at communication. People have different opinions, and their attitudes are different. When hired to lead an organization or a group of people, it is the skills of dealing with people that will enable the person to influence them towards the desired direction. First of all, they need to be informed about the vision and mission of the organization. From there, they get to know why they need to do what is required of them. They work harder, and that is how they make the organization reach greater heights. Studies have shown that employees are satisfied with their work if they have a good relationship with management. Likewise, doctoral students do well when they establish a good relationship with their departments and faculties. These skills are vital since they will be working with people after their studies. 

Theme 3: Self-drive

Self-drive is the one that makes these doctoral students do what is needed of them without being followed up. After all, they enrolled in the program willingly because they know what they want. It is that self-drive that will make them complete the program successfully. They should be able to reflect on their learning and be creative. If they require more training, they should go for it to compete well with others (Baker & Pifer, 2011). Focus, time management, proper organization, and motivation are part of self-drive that makes the students successfully finish the program (Gardener, 2009). Proper preparation leads to an understanding of the course materials and creative research ideas (Smith & Hatmaker, 2015). Research requires reading widely to get different ideas on the kind of topic to come up with. A research topic needs to be unique to avoid plagiarism. Additionally, the topic should be about an issue that can be researched using the available methods. In other words, the topic should be realistic. Only those students who are motivated will finish their work on time. Some submit work after the deadline leading to reduction of marks. Also, their work is of low quality, and that leads to poor grades. These are the students who do not prioritize things and end up regretting it. Some students start the program with vigor, but that reduces with time. There is a lot of investment done by those who enroll in the doctoral program, and they should ensure that it does not go into waste by being serious with their work. Some students waste their chance and end up being depressed and having a low sense of self -esteem. 

Conclusion

All three articles focus on doctoral students' success, where they need to do well in their coursework and get the requisite research skills. These students need to work hard and consistently to achieve their goals. Doctoral students are considered to have succeeded if they get good grades and complete the degree program. Establishing a good relationship with the faculty and other students is part of ensuring that the students get the desired grades. Besides, they will consult the professors and get guided in their research. Doctoral students focus more on research to come up with solutions to most of the problems facing people in the society. These students should be self-driven to have an easier time and cooperate well with the instructors. They will submit their reports and assignments on time, and they will be given feedback. Having goals will act as the motivator to keep going so that they can be achieved. These goals should also be given a time limit. Having a time frame helps to get focused and avoid distractions. One cannot relax when they remember that they need to achieve a specific goal by a particular time.

References

Baker, V. L., & Pifer, M. J. (2011). The role of relationships in the transition from doctor to independent scholar. Studies in Continuing Education, 33(1), 5-17.Doi:10.1080/0158037X.2010.515569

Gardner, S. K. (2009). Conceptualizing success in doctoral education: Perspectives of faculty in seven disciplines. The Review of Higher Education, 32(3), 383-406.Doi:10.1353/rhe.0.0075

Smith, A. E., & Hatmaker, D. M. (2014). Knowing, doing, and becoming: Professional identity construction among public affairs doctoral students. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 20(4), 545-564.