PhD got delayed cause I was late with apps, should I do thesis research for the next year?

[drpepper711]

After much considerationI have decided to do a PHD in Economics and International Development, but now my application is too late for September admission. This means I have until Sept 2014 til I start. Would it be wise to start my thesis research right now? Do a literature review and do some field work? I already have a Masters in a related field.

[0_o]

In some cases you can apply for January admission, but it usually depends on the university and the program that you're applying too.  But it might be worth looking into, that way you'd have less than a year to wait.  It might also be beneficial to look into co-ops or internship positions that are similar to what you're Ph.D. interests are.  When you mean to start your thesis research now, would you also be doing something else? And where would you be doing this, at your current university?

 

Good luck!

[drpepper711]

@ 0_o: No I meant doing my thesis research independently. Figuring out a topic after doing a ton of reading then starting my literature review.

[memyselfandcoffee]

I'm no expert, so take my advice with pinch of salt, i'll just rely my experience to you.

when i started my Ph.D i knew the area i wanted to research in, but needed to find a topic, so I remember in my first meeting i enthusiastically said to my advisor i would go off and write a couple of 5,000 word lit reviews in on some areas i was interested--- and he said No dont do that and now i can see why-- I learnt so much more just reserching one area at a time and not worrying about composing

If you know exactly what your project is going to be, then maybe you could start. but most likely your project will evolve alot, I mean alot, through working collaboratively with your supervisor.

What i would do, is get some anthologies or edited books in the general area, and just improve your background knowledge-

also i can't speak for your field, but in psychology the best use of pre-year would be to get a job as a research assistant and learn about the research process and brush up on stats and research methods

[Nerd_For_Life]

Any field work that requires an ethics review, done through a university (eg. any work involving interviews with human subjects; non-human animals is a different ethics review), that does not have one is invalid in the eyes of the university. So, if your fieldwork would involve interviews of any sort, it would not be considered valid in the academic community if you do not have not completed an ethics review, and would be a waste of time, aside from anecdotal evidence posited as 'life experience' within a future project completed through a recognized university.

[fuzzylogician]

I agree with the other posters. If the goal is to get 'life experience' you could develop a project, with the clear understanding that it may not go anywhere once you start grad school. Studying up on a research question is never useless, but doing so alone before you are in school and working with an advisor is very limiting. As nicolemc correctly points out, doing any kind of study involving human subjects without an IRB approval is a bad idea - that data can never be used and/or published. The most you could probably get out of this exercise is a well-defined question and a better understanding of your research interests. That is extremely important, but it's less obvious that you'll have a written product you could use later on. I'd say a better way to get experience and hone your skills and interests is to get a research assistantship, if you have the option. It'll not only help with your research but also produce a strong letter for your application.

[drpepper711]

Thank you for your response. How about travelling in the region I would like to work an talking to NGOs and government agencies about my research and my interests; networking with people in the field for when I do want to do research? 

 

The RA idea sounds great, however, unfortunately  it will not be in my field. I am currently doing a GRA and although it is somewhat related to economics, it has nothing to with development. I do not know of any professors in my university that would conduct relevant research.