How to Become a Doctorate: Who Influences Me?

Influencers play a key role in shaping a PhD. And, by influencers I mean, scholars, writers, notable authors in your subject as well as professors who you think are powerful with their words and ideas.


But has it ever occurred who and how they are able to influence?


Suppose, there are 4 books lying on a table. You instantly reach out for Books C and D. But completely ignore Books A and B. This happened because of the following reasons:

• You have heard rave about or read reviews of C and D.
• You know how popular the writers of C and D are.
• You have met the writers of C and D.

In all the three cases the thing which remains constant is Your Trust in That Writer. It really does not matter what is written or whether you agree to it or not. You just know that that writer is smart enough to say something credible and that you must read it and think it is the truth.

This is the power of an influencer. They have an image that makes you believe in them even when they forget or say a wrong year or statistics or fumble in their speech.

Now the question arises - Should You Allow Yourself to be Influenced?

Lets argue this question point-wise.

1. Knowing someone or having met the writer in person makes one naturally feel connected. Maybe you love their charisma. Maybe you attended a lecture and loved their speech. It is then easier to pick up their books/articles and refer them for your own dissertation. So, you are emotionally inclined towards that book/article. You can read it. But are supposed to read and refer it in your dissertation? No. At times, your own supervisor will ask you to read and refer his/her published work. But it is not necessary especially if it is not fitting into any of your chapters.
2. If you ask will it please them after you have cited their work in your dissertation. Yes Temporarily. But no, if you have not provided an appropriate argument supporting or criticizing. There will always be an examiner to question your intention of citing a work and your inability to answer well will put you in a bad position.
3. For dissertation, your literature review must be wide. Many times even the lesser known writers/books make more sense than the ones you bestowed your trust upon. This brings us to the point on being objective in your search for knowledge (Refer to Subjectivity versus Objectivity in Research).
4. Have the wisdom to know what is right. You need to know which author counts more. You also need to know when to omit/skip even an accomplished author's work.

Remember a PhD thesis is something in which you are trying to tell or bring out a new theory/argument/experiment/findings/etc. So, whether you are referring a great writers work or choosing to skip it, what matters first is your ability to present your thoughts and concepts, and not regurgitate works of other people.