A prize winning poster, first presented at the NETworking for Education in Healthcare Conference in Cambridge 2011

1. Six stages of doctoral study:
a new model for
PhD students
Carol Haigh, Professor of Nursing Manchester Metropolitan University, Pip Hardy, Pilgrim Projects,
Fiona Duncan, Research Fellow, Manchester Metropolitan University
Key words: Doctoral Study, Emotion
Background Stage 4 Obsession
ndividuals in this stage are characteristically hunched over a
Doctoral students find the first six months of their programme
laptop, oblivious to external stimuli.
of study a difficult and taxing time as they struggle to develop
relationships with their supervisors and clarify the nature and
Distinguishing features
focus of their research. Thus, it is not surprising that new students
Stage 4 students are generally found in the cyber café at
experience a number of strange and difficult emotions for which
conferences or desperately tapping at keyboards until 4.30 in the
few, if any, doctoral induction courses prepare them.
morning.
Aim Stage 5 Fear
This theoretically and experientially poster aims to provide an This stage tends to be composed of a number of sub-stages, some
overview of the various emotional stages of doctoral study. of which are analogous to Stage 2 and others that make Stage 2
feel like a fuzzy, warm, safe place. It is not abnormal, even when
you are a number of months or years into your PhD to wake up
Methods absolutely certain that someone will spot you for the fraud that you
The theory is formulated by a number of encounters, as both are certain you are. This is natural and should not lead to panic.
doctoral candidates and supervisors, which suggest a congruence By far the worst of part of this Stage occurs during the final days of
of experience. The original hypothesis was verified by triangulation thesis writing. The tome is complete and it is ready to submit but
with colleagues. the student becomes convinced that it is ‘not PhD standard’.
Distinguishing features
Results High levels of emotional instability in which any minor setback
assumes the status of a major disaster.
A total of 6 stages were defined:
Stage 1 Elated Smugness Stage 6 Tranqullity
This is the preliminary stage of doctoral study and typically occurs This feeling deepens as examination time draws closer. This
immediately after registration but before any actual work begins. tranquillity can last for the entire length of a doctoral defence and
You have become part of the doctoral student body, not only within may explain why so few people can actually remember their viva
your own university but also within your professional discipline. once it is over.
This elated smugness will be enhanced by sudden interest shown
in you from individuals who have ignored you in the past. Distinguishing features
Finding lots of free time again, starting to take an interest in
Distinguishing features television programmes, beginning to recognise your family and
Students in this stage can be identified by their copy the PhD remembering the names of pets.
‘How to’ book, which they carry with them at all times, and the
fact that their apologies for their absence from any events are
accompanied by the phrase ‘It’s my PhD day.’ Conclusion
Strange and deviant behaviour is the norm when travelling the
Stage 2 Paranoid bemusement doctoral journey. Doing a doctorate is both complex and scary and
Individuals who reach this stage tend to haunt the university has implications for social and family networks. At the same time
library, wandering aimlessly with a worried look. This phase as being challenging, it is worth taking the journey and can even
typically occurs early on in the student‘s doctoral career. be enjoyable. No matter what happens it is important to remember
you are never alone.
Distinguishing features
Waking at 3am with no clear idea about what they want to do, no
research question, no strong methodology, possibly no income and
Reference: Haigh, C Hardy, P Duncan, F (2011) Six stage of doctoral study: a new model for PhD
the certainty that, sooner or later, someone will spot them as an students. Nurse Researcher Vol. 18 No 4 pp46-4
impostor and drive them from the programme.
Stage 3 Domination
The candidate has begun to adjust to the isolation of the doctoral
path, and started to value the freedom to express their own ideas.
Liked this poster?
Distinguishing features Please share your feedback via Twitter using
A supervisor-student relationship has developed and receiving #stagesofphd
an e-mail from a supervisor is no longer cause for fear, panic or
loathing.