PhD Timeline in the BRAINS Lab: From MPhil to PhD Completion

PUBLISHED ON DEC 8, 2024 / 2 MIN READ — PHD RESOURCES

MPhil to PhD Transfer Requirements

Transfer document (5000-8000 words) should include:
  • Completed literature review for Paper 1
  • Results from first two experiments
  • Pre-registration protocols and outcomes
  • Theoretical framework development
  • Detailed methodology for Paper 2
  • Publication strategy and timeline
  • Research training portfolio
  • Thesis structure with paper integration plan

Year 1: MPhil Phase

Q1: Foundation (Months 1-3)

  • Departmental and laboratory induction
  • Systematic literature review for Paper 1
  • Advanced statistics training
  • Design first experiment

Q2: Paper 1 Launch (Months 4-6)

  • Complete pre-registration for Exp 1 & 2
  • Programme experimental paradigms
  • Ethics application submission
  • Begin first experiment

Q3: Paper 1 Development (Months 7-9)

  • Complete first experiment
  • Analysis and methods refinement
  • Begin second experiment
  • Draft introduction for Paper 1

Q4: Transfer Preparation (Months 10-12)

  • Complete second experiment
  • Write Paper 1 methods & results
  • Begin transfer document
  • Literature review for Paper 2

Year 2: Main Research Phase

Q1: Transfer Period (Months 13-15)

  • Submit transfer document
  • MPhil to PhD viva
  • Pre-register Paper 2 experiments
  • Begin third experiment

Q2: Paper 2 Development (Months 16-18)

  • Submit Paper 1 to journal
  • Complete third experiment
  • Begin fourth experiment
  • Present at departmental seminar

Q3: Paper 2 Completion (Months 19-21)

  • Complete fourth experiment
  • Write Paper 2 manuscript
  • Literature review for Paper 3
  • National conference presentation

Q4: Paper 3 Initiation (Months 22-24)

  • Submit Paper 2 to journal
  • Pre-register final experiments
  • Begin fifth experiment
  • Draft thesis introduction

Year 3: Completion Phase

Q1: Final Experiments (Months 25-27)

  • Complete fifth experiment
  • Run sixth experiment
  • Revise Paper 1 (if required)
  • International conference presentation

Q2: Paper 3 Writing (Months 28-30)

  • Complete data analysis
  • Write Paper 3 manuscript
  • Submit Paper 3 to journal
  • Begin thesis summary chapter

Q3: Thesis Assembly (Months 31-33)

  • Finalise thesis introduction
  • Integrate published/submitted papers
  • Write discussion chapter
  • Internal review process

Q4: Submission (Months 34-36)

  • Final thesis assembly
  • Address reviewer comments on papers
  • Thesis submission
  • Viva preparation

Continuous Requirements

Publication Management

  • Paper submissions and revisions
  • Pre-registration maintenance
  • Open science compliance

Research Development

  • Advanced methods training
  • Reproducible science workshops
  • Academic writing courses

Academic Progress

  • Monthly supervision meetings
  • Research group presentations
  • Ethics documentation updates
TAGS: PHD, TIMELINE

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