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Difference between a research masters and a phd

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  • 14-02-2009 11:34pm
    #1
    paddy353
    Registered Users Posts: 43 ✭


    Hello all,

    I'm trying to decide whether to do a masters or a phd, I know there is a huge difference between a research masters and a phd, but i was hoping somebody could explain the difference between the two.

    Excuse the ignorance, but for the life of me I can't figure out the difference. Thanks all.


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    #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 16,720 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Well a research masters would last a year (or maybe two) and would give you a Level 9 qualification, whereas a PhD would last more (generally) and give you a Level 10 qualification. Content-wise I'd guess they'd be somewhat the same with a research masters very often leading on to a PhD. If you don't know about the levels, check out the national framework of qualifications and the big pretty picture they have.


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    #3
    Shiny
    Registered Users Posts: 2,259 ✭✭✭Shiny


    Research Masters 1-2 years.
    PhD 3-4 years. It can be more but it is unusual to last more than 4.

    I like the idea of the research masters myself as you are not locked into
    something for 4 years. At least with the masters, if you don't like the
    subject/workload/supervisor/team etc you only have to put up with it
    for a year or two.

    Also by doing this, if the economy recovers in a year or 2, you can finish up
    and head out for a job, while on the other hand if the economy doesn't recover, you could continue onto a PhD and ride out the storm.


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    #4
    rain on
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭rain on


    My supervisor explained the difference in terms of content as being that a PhD has to be original, while a research masters can be a review of existing work on the subject.


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    #5
    paddy353
    Registered Users Posts: 43 ✭paddy353


    rain on wrote: »
    PhD has to be original, while a research masters can be a review of existing work on the subject.

    I think I like the sound of that. I suppose next step is to talk to the lecturers involved.Thanks all.


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    #6
    IvyTheTerrible
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,949 ✭✭✭✭IvyTheTerrible


    rain on wrote: »
    My supervisor explained the difference in terms of content as being that a PhD has to be original, while a research masters can be a review of existing work on the subject.

    Eh, I don't think so. AFAIK a research masters is the same as a phd (i.e. must be original, and add to existing knowledge on the subject). The difference is that a phd is longer, you would do more research. You would get more publications from a phd that a masters. Generally a research masters is between 18 months and 2 years, and a phd is 3-4 years.


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    #7
    rain on
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭rain on


    IvyTheTerrible wrote: »
    Eh, I don't think so. AFAIK a research masters is the same as a phd (i.e. must be original, and add to existing knowledge on the subject). The difference is that a phd is longer, you would do more research. You would get more publications from a phd that a masters. Generally a research masters is between 18 months and 2 years, and a phd is 3-4 years.
    Hey, I'm just quoting what I was told by an academic who's been supervising both for ~20 years. I'm pretty sure he'd know.


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    #8
    IvyTheTerrible
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,949 ✭✭✭✭IvyTheTerrible


    rain on wrote: »
    Hey, I'm just quoting what I was told by an academic who's been supervising both for ~20 years. I'm pretty sure he'd know.

    Fair enough! I didn't know that.


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    #9
    Ginny
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 13,425 ✭✭✭✭Ginny


    What subject did the academic supervise in rain on?
    I know my Research Masters Thesis had to have the usual PhD declaration about the following work being original and had not appeared in any thesis before.
    I can't remember the exact wording though.


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    #10
    rain on
    Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭rain on


    English.


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    #11
    deegs
    Registered Users Posts: 1,268 ✭✭✭deegs


    rain on wrote: »
    My supervisor explained the difference in terms of content as being that a PhD has to be original, while a research masters can be a review of existing work on the subject.

    +1 Was told the same.


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    #12
    ARGINITE
    Registered Users Posts: 2,717 ✭✭✭ARGINITE


    deegs wrote:
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by rain on viewpost.gif
    My supervisor explained the difference in terms of content as being that a PhD has to be original, while a research masters can be a review of existing work on the subject.

    +1 Was told the same.
    I was told the same to.


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    #13
    Warmaster
    Registered Users Posts: 134 ✭✭Warmaster


    Myth wrote: »
    Well a research masters would last a year (or maybe two) and would give you a Level 9 qualification, whereas a PhD would last more (generally) and give you a Level 10 qualification. Content-wise I'd guess they'd be somewhat the same with a research masters very often leading on to a PhD. If you don't know about the levels, check out the national framework of qualifications and the big pretty picture they have.

    I have yet to see a research masters that lasted less than 2 years.

    There's a great book called How to get a PhD by a guy down in Teagasc, applies to final year students and MPhil (research Masters) students too


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