Introductory phase
After clarifying the conditions in the first few weeks and months, you will enter an introductory phase. During this time, you should refine your research question and begin reviewing the literature. It is also important to prepare a preliminary project plan and timetable – you will continuously modify and adjust these during your doctoral studies.
Important steps
- Review relevant literature.
- Familiarize yourself with the relevant methods and techniques.
Tips and recommendations
- Establish your project plan and timetable with your supervisor.
- The more thorough your literature review is at this stage, the easier the first publication will be.
- Use a literature cataloging system from the very start, e.g., CITAVI or other suitable software for digital publications or cataloging systems for print resources.
In the introductory phase, we recommend taking advantage of the following service offers for career development*:
- Introduction to good scientific practice
- Introduction to project management
- Introduction to time management and self management
*These recommendations are based on the UniWiND Publication Issue 6 [PDF] (in German only).