Get ready, Get Set, Go! publication is a guideline intended for supervisors and postgraduate students on their research journey and guarantees them a better understanding of the doctoral research process and a better comprehension on how to deliver their doctoral studies.

The book presents different perspectives of support of the doctoral education value chain. Themes such as the scope of doctoral education, planning and rollout of the research project, student and supervisor responsibilities, publication writing, grant applications, the application of research results and research ethics and integrity are also addressed. It also forms part of one of the three pillars of postgraduate research, namely research capacity building. The other pillars are policy and methodology, which are addressed in other publications.

 In appreciation of the book, Prof. Corli Witthuhn, Vice-Rector: Research at the University of the Free State said the book is a wonderful tool, as it encourages people to enrol for postgraduate studies and serves as a helpful guide when preparing for doctoral studies. “This book explains all about the major challenges for doctoral studies and details on how to plan and execute your research, the role of the supervisor and student,  research ethics and grant proposal writing. “What I really enjoyed most about the book is the touch of personal experiences of researchers who have walked the same path,” she said. The author and editor of the book, Prof. Lategan, said the book is for both the supervisor and student to understand that research is not only about having a problem or defining a solution but to go beyond solving the problem. He also said research involves many role players and it is important to understand the roles they play. “We need to be mindful that there are many role players in the production of new knowledge, what is important is that we understand the many roles and role players there are in the completion of doctoral studies.” He said he is confident that the book will encourage collective engagements with all the role players and create relationships that are more professional. “Research is a teamwork effort although it is not acknowledged. Student, supervisor and the university should be in collaborations when delivering research projects. No research can be done in a vacuum. In the context of Universities of Technology and traditional universities, it is important to embrace multidisciplinary research or go beyond the well-known way of producing knowledge that will be beneficial to government, industry and business. “This book is evidence of teamwork and collaboration of over three years,” he said. He further acknowledged the efforts of students and said that he has learned equally much from students as he has learned from his colleagues, “very often we forget that our students are also a very important resource and reference bases.” 

 

Prof. Laetus O.K. Lategan completed his doctoral studies with the University of the Free State in Philosophy and Theology. Professionally he has an extensive background in senior and executive management. His research interest is in the areas of research ethics, healthcare ethics, applied ethics and doctoral education. He is the co-author of close to 200 publications in various disciplines. He is the editor of the Journal for New Generation Sciences. He is also a National Research Foundation (NRF) rated researcher. 

Images 

1: Prof. Lategan during the launch event. 

2: Prof. Lategan signs copies of the new book during the launch. 3: Hot off the press! Brand new copies of the book.