I went back to my university where I did my first degree and met some of the professors who taught me to discuss my career plans and seek their advice on how to make my next PhD applications successful. One of them advised me to do small-scale research, write it up and try to publish it in an academic journal.

In fact I have come up with some research ideas that I want to implement. But I am wondering whether academic journals will accept research articles by MPhil or PhD students? What do you think?

I think you can consider 'Lancaster University'. It offers PhD programs through distance learning. If I remember right, students doing their PhDs through this mode are required to meet their supervisors once a year. You can take a look at the website below:

http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/

I requested some journal articles here before and fortunately someone sent the articles to me. I wish I could help you. Sorry!

Did you ask for help from someone else like your classmates, your potential supervisors or those studying or working at a university?

You can also go to your own university library because there should be bound volumes of different journals there. Perhaps you may get the articles.

Happy for you ! I remember you. I am sure an doctorate will be conferred on you soon. Good luck and keep us updated!

This is really an amazing blog. It does help me understand better the life of a PhD student. I am also thinking about creating a blog about my research life as an MPhil student. Haha!

Thanks a lot, datura.

I have no access to academic journals. But I need to read the following articles to prepare my thesis. Could anyone help download them for me? Thanks in advance.

Article 1
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889490603000516

Article 2
http://wcx.sagepub.com/content/20/3/242.short

Article 3
http://applij.oxfordjournals.org/content/23/1/1.short

Article 4
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1473-4192.2004.00062.x/abstract;jsessionid=198D2702FE6088AD4BF4F36430337A19.f04t02?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=false

Thank you, Timmy. I hope that I have made the right decision because I resigned from my current job for this MPhil even though my fds and family do not encourage or support me to do so. I don't listen to them and keep telling myself that I want to do what I want. Now I have no choice and have to do the best I can to prove that I have made the right decision and choice for my future. But I understand that it is still a long way to go. I do hope that everything will go pretty well when I start my MPhil study in coming August.

My research project is about discourse analysis of policy documents in my country in terms of generic organizations, communicative purposes and linguistic features. What about your master's degree research project and your PhD research proposal project? Since we are in the Arts and Humanities, you may be familiar with my research area, right? We can share our views here. Haha!

It seems that we have similar academic backgrounds and experience. I have been working as a secondary school teacher for a few years since I graduated with my first degree in English Language Teaching. I also got an education diploma and 'taught' master's degree in English Studies. I did apply for PhD programs to different universities. But all my applications were rejected for the reason that I was not ready to do a PhD owing to my lack of substantial research experience. Finally I ended up obtaining an MPhil offer. The good thing is that a full stipend will be given to me so I do not need to worry too much about money stuff.

After finishing my MPhil, I will definitely apply for PhD programs again. To secure funding and an offer, I think I will have to get a distinction in my MPhil and prepare a good PhD research proposal.

The chance you have of getting a PhD offer is quite high. I think that you should apply for funding. Maybe you can get it. Who knows?

I have the same thoughts as yours. I want to be an academic in the future. I know it is not easy But i still want to try. You know! Life is short. We should do something that we will not regret when we grow older. It is good to hear that you do not need to worry too much about financial matters because you have enough savings for your PhD. But I don't. I cannot do my PhD without funding.

This is really a bad and difficult experience. I am sorry to hear that.

If you have a strong desire for obtaining your PhD, do whatever it takes to make it happen. Do not give up now! At least one of your supervisors is helpful and willing to help you and give you some constructive feedback. Don't take the negative words from another supervisor too seriously even though he/she wants to help you in my opinion. Be honest to them and tell them what you really want and show your determination and confidence.

Thank you for your advice. It is very useful indeed.

The best thing you should do is to tell your supervisor the truth that doing a PhD is not what you want at the moment. Doing a PhD is a long-term commitment. If you do not have a passion for doing research, you will lose your motivation and even hate it. I think no matter what you say, your supervisor will be disappointed since he/she wants you to pursue one.

To avoid losing face and prestige, maybe you could tell him/her you have got your own plans like having a working holiday, taking a break, looking for jobs or you want to enrich your life or work experience in different areas.

Hope it helps.

My research life will begin in coming August. I would like to seek your advice on how to prepare before the start of my Mphil program?

What I am planning to do is to read more different journal articles and reference books in my field of study and find some information about publishing research work in journals. What else should I do?

Thanks for your help!

Sorry to hear that, dbrown. I agree that your examiners will not fail you. If they wanted to fail you, they would stop you in the middle of the viva.

Make good use of the comments from the examiners and your supervisor and think about how to prepare well for the next viva. Also, talk to your supervisor to get some extra guidance.

I am sure that you can make it. Good Luck!