The Grad Coach Podcast

The Grad Coach Podcast

On the Grad Coach Podcast, we talk about all things academic research-related, from how to find a strong research topic to analysing data and surviving the pressures of grad school. Get access to loads of free templates and resources @ https://gradcoach.com/blog/

Episodes

September 3, 2024 28 mins

If you're working a literature review or just going down the academic reading rabbit hole, this one is for you. Today, we're discussing how to work smarter, not harder, to speed up reading academic papers. We'll dive into key strategies like categorizing and prioritizing your reading list, skimming, scanning, and focusing on your research questions. Plus, we'll talk about why sometimes there's no substitute...

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If you've ever considered paying someone (or some AI tool) to write your dissertation or thesis for you, you need to watch this. In this episode, Dr. E and Dr. Amy Murdoch discuss the pitfalls of getting someone else to write for you - and why it's far worse than you might think.

OVERVIEW: DISSERTATION WRITING SERVICES

00:00 Introduction 
01:08 The Dangers of Academic Misconduct
02:18 The Role of...

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Hit a sticking point in your dissertation? That's okay. In this episode of the Grad Coach Podcast, Dr. Ethar and Dr. Amy Murdock dive into how to get unstuck during the dissertation process, especially if you've taken a long break and are struggling to get back on track. Don't forget to check out our free templates and other resources to fast-track your dissertation journey - https://gradcoach.com/templates/

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In this episode, Dr. Ethar Al-Saraf and Dr. Amy Murdock dive into the darker truths of academic research. In it, we discuss the lack of transparency in academia, the myth that universities are always right, and the importance of self-reliance. Don't forget to grab our free dissertation template and consider signing up for a coach to guide you along the way. 

OVERVIEW:

00:00 Introduction
01:06 Deeper, Dark...

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If you've got a viva voce, thesis defense or dissertation defense coming up, this one is for YOU! In this episode of the Grad Coach Podcast, Derek and Ethar share three essential tips to help you prepare and present confidently. 

00:00 Introduction
00:31 Disclaimer
01:51 Understanding Your Study and Department's Approach
11:44 Identifying and Addressing Weaknesses
23:44 Investing in Your Presentat...

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Struggling with writer’s block while crafting your dissertation, thesis or research project? In this episode of the Grad Coach podcast, Derek and Ethar dive into the challenges of writer's block, especially for dissertation or thesis writers. 

Don't forget to grab our free dissertation template @ https://gradcoach.com/dissertation-thesis-template/

00:00 Introduction 
01:00 What Lies Beneath
01:40...

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Is perfectionism holding you back from getting your research project done? In this episode of the Grad Coach Podcast, Derek and Ethan unpack what exactly perfectionism is (it’s not what you think) and how to beat it with three practical strategies. Join us as we dive into these techniques to help you move forward with your projects and goals.

00:00 Intro
00:51 Why Perfectionism is a Monster
02:55 Practice 1: Let Pe...

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Stuck in "All But Dissertation" status? In this episode of the Grad Coach podcast, Derek and Dr Ethar dive into the challenges of ABD (All But Dissertation) status and how to navigate it effectively. If you're toiling in ABD status or just want to take proactive action to avoid getting stuck, this is a must-watch!

OVERVIEW: ALL BUT DISSERTATION (ABD) STATUS

00:00 Intro
00:19 What exactly is &quo...

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In this episode, we're diving into a slightly more spicy topic than usual: Why your dissertation or thesis isn't as epically important as you might think—and why that's a good thing! This episode is all about giving you some perspective so that you can craft a strong dissertation without losing your sanity along the way. PS - Don't forget to grab our free dissertation template and other resources over on the Gra...

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Learn about the insider secrets to academic success. In this episode of the Grad Coach Podcast, Derek and Ethar delve into the unwritten laws of academia, exploring three simple but powerful practices that you can implement to optimise your academic journey.

00:00 Welcome
00:37 Unveiling the Unwritten Laws of Academia
00:42 Quality Over Quantity: Rethinking "Hard Work"
03:17 Engagement and Application...

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In this episode, we delve into the three essential habits that define highly successful students. Whether you're completely new to the academic world or you're stuck in the lonely depths of a PhD dissertation, this podcast offers rich insights into developing a sustainable framework for success.

00:00 Welcome
00:27 Critical Thinking
02:57 Premises and Conclusions
11:14 Consistent Reading
11:40 The...

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Writing a dissertation, thesis or any sort of formal academic research paper comes with a lot of challenges. Some are technical. Others are more psychological and emotional. In this episode of the Grad Coach Podcast, Derek Jansen (MBA) and Ethar Al-Saraf (PhD) unpack three of the most common struggles students face when undertaking academic research - and how to manage them.

OVERVIEW:

00:00 Welcome
00:42 Tackl...

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In this episode of the Grad Coach Podcast, Derek is joined by Dr. Ethar Al-Saraf to discuss crucial insights for those embarking on or considering a PhD journey. If you're thinking about doing a PhD or if you're in the early stages of a doctoral program, you'll definitely want to catch this one!

00:00 Introduction
00:42 It's Not Just Intellectual Curiosity
08:25 Expectations vs. Reality
19:2...

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In this episode of the Grad Coach podcast, Derek is joined by Dr. Ethar Al-Saraf to discuss four cheat codes that can help you conquer the almighty methodology chapter. If you're feeling a little intimidated by research methodology, this one is for you!

Key Resources: 

FREE  TEMPLATE: https://gradcoach.com/methodology-template/
FREE WEBINAR: https://gradcoach.com/webinar-research-methodology/
METHODOL...

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In this episode of the Grad Coach podcast, Derek is joined by Dr. Ethar Al-Saraf to discuss four cheat codes that can fast-track the process of crafting a convincing research proposal. If you're currently working on a proposal for a dissertation, thesis or any other academic research project, you won't want to miss this!

Key Resources: 

FREE PROPOSAL TEMPLATE: https://gradcoach.com/research-proposal-temp...

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In this episode of the Grad Coach podcast, Derek is joined by Dr. Ethar Al-Saraf to discuss four cheat codes that can fast-track the process of conducting a literature review. These include aligning the literature search with research aims and questions, planning a structure before writing, striving for analytical writing over descriptive writing, and using quote sandwiches. 

Key Resources: 

FREE LITERATURE REVIEW...

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