Intro
Preface
Why Read a Book About Getting a PhD?
Sink or Swim
The Problem: Saving an Old Master Painting from the Ravages of Time
Authors' Note
Contents
1 Choosing a Research Group: Pluses and Pitfalls
The Start-Up Group
The 'Up-and-Running' Group
The 'Small-but-Established' Group
The Empire
The Gardener
Surviving in a Non-supportive Group
2 Getting Started
Become Familiar with Your Research Department
Formulate a Working Plan and Set up a Schedule
Maintain a Proper Lab Notebook
Establish Good Reference Keeping Practices

Dealing with Initial Ups and Downs
Connect with Others in Your Group or Department
3 Setting Goals and Objectives
Effective Time Management
Record Your Daily Activities
Learn from the Record
Prepare a To-Do List
Multi-tasking: Is It for You?
The 80/20 Rule
Are You Focusing on the 80% or the 20%?
Implementing the 80/20 Rule
4 How to Think Like a Scientist
Common Errors in Using the Scientific Method
Not Proving the Hypothesis by Experiment
Discounting Data that Don't Support the Hypothesis
Over- or Underestimating Systematic Errors

Fact, Theory, Hypothesis-What's the Difference Anyway?
Is There Ever a Situation Where the Scientific Method Is Not Applicable?
A Final Comment
5 Designing Good Experiments
Good Science and Good Experimental Design Go Hand in Hand
Design Experiments to Test Your Hypothesis
Finally: Can You Trust Your Results?
Spotting Random Errors
Identifying Systematic Errors
Recognising Linked Variables
What if Your Experiment Hasn't Worked Out as Planned?
6 Charting Your Progress Month by Month
Monthly Progress Monitor: Four Questions to Keep Yourself Goal-Orientated

What You Can Learn from Completing the Monthly Progress Monitor
7 Dealing with Setbacks
The Cold Reality of Trial and Error
Identifying the Setback(s)
Take Action
Tips for Recovering from a Setback
A Final Thought: Should You Stop Altogether?
8 Mentors, Leadership, and Community
Mining for Gold: Defining Mentorship
Choosing a Mentor
Working with What You've Got
Develop a Community of Peers-Or Become a Mentor Yourself
9 How to Get Along with Your Labmates, et al.
How to Get the Help You Need from Others on Your Team
You, Me, Everybody

How You Get Energised: Extrovert Versus Introvert
How You Think: Intuition Versus Sensation
Are Your Decisions Driven by Objective Arguments or Feelings?
Chaotic Team Members Versus Planners
Which Type Are You?
How to Collaborate with Your Personality-Type Counterpart
Extroverts Versus Introverts
Intuition and Sensation Are Both Necessary for Success
Feeling is More Important in Science than Thinkers Want to Believe
Judgers and Perceivers Play Crucial Roles at Different Stages of the Project
A Varied Mix Makes a Good Team