Earlier this week, a close friend of mine, a lawyer, shared some exciting news—he’s been accepted to start his PhD! He’ll be diving into the complex world of construction contracts, specifically analyzing the ‘dangers’ of standard construction contracts. Having been through a similar journey myself, I know firsthand what a challenging and beautiful experience it can be. One of the most important steps early on is conducting a thorough literature review, which will guide you to refine your research question. This question isn’t just the centerpiece of your thesis; it’s also your chance to contribute something new and valuable to the field. Here’s what I shared, and I’m reproducing the gist with my friend’s consent.
- Keep Your Research Question in Sight
Your research question is the anchor of your entire thesis. Since you’re focusing on the potential pitfalls of standard construction contracts, make sure everything you write ties back to that central question. Whether you’re exploring the enforceability of certain clauses or the lack of Maltese construction codes, always check that your writing relates directly to your main question. This will keep your work focused and ensure that your thesis stays on track.
- Organize Your Research Notes by Theme and Sub-theme
With a topic as detailed as construction contracts, you’re going to have a lot of research material—cases, legal provisions, academic articles, and more. To keep things manageable, try organizing your notes by theme and sub-theme. For example, if you’re examining the risks associated with “time is of the essence” clauses, you could categorize your notes under themes like “contractual obligations,” “breach of contract,” and “judicial interpretation.” Then, break those down further into sub-themes like specific cases. This way, when you start writing, you’ll have everything organized and easy to access, helping you build a strong, cohesive argument.
- Outline the chapter contents
One important tip I gave was to try to outline the chapter contents and sub-chapters as soon as possible. This will help you maintain a clear direction throughout your writing. Having a structured outline keeps you on track and ensures that each section of your thesis contributes effectively to answering your research question. It’s easy to veer off course – so having a solid framework from the beginning will keep your work focused and cohesive.
- Write in Short Bursts
Tackling a PhD thesis can feel overwhelming, so try breaking the writing process down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Set yourself some achievable goals, like writing 600 words on a specific contract clause or summarizing a key legal case in one sitting. Writing in short bursts makes the task feel less daunting and helps you maintain focus. Plus, it’s a great way to keep making steady progress without burning out.
- Resist Editing While You Write
It’s tempting to try and perfect your writing as you go, especially with a subject as detailed as law, but try to hold off on editing until later. When you edit too early, it can disrupt the flow of your ideas and slow down your progress. Instead, focus on getting your thoughts down first. Treat your first draft like a rough sketch—just get everything out on paper, and worry about refining it later. This approach will keep your momentum going and make the editing process smoother when you’re ready to polish your work.
Final Thoughts
Starting a PhD is a big step, especially with a topic as the dangers of standard construction contracts. But I can tell you – these tips should help make the writing process a bit easier. Keep your research question in mind, organize your notes, write in short bursts, and save the editing for later. You’ve got what it takes — enjoy the ride!
