Should I be dissuaded?

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

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So simple thread, if I find the idea of writing long papers, citing millions of sources, following APA guidelines to be somewhat to very unpleasant should I avoid considering a PhD in Psychology?
Note that I do find interest in academic research ( Albeit I don't think I know exactly what I would study since I'm always being split between cognitive neuroscience, developmental psych, and clinical psych < All I actually in truth know is that neuroethology and behavioral neuroscience are out because I don't find working with electrophysiology and sterotyped animal behavior interesting>) and think I could be quite happy doing studies.

So what's your opinion?

 

[WisNeuro]

Do you have any interest in clinical work? Most PhD's are actually clinicians. I'm a clinician who spends about 25% of their time doing research.

 

[LivingOffLoans]

So simple thread, if I find the idea of writing long papers, citing millions of sources, following APA guidelines to be somewhat to very unpleasant should I avoid considering a PhD in Psychology?
Note that I do find interest in academic research ( Albeit I don't think I know exactly what I would study since I'm always being split between cognitive neuroscience, developmental psych, and clinical psych < All I actually in truth know is that neuroethology and behavioral neuroscience are out because I don't find working with electrophysiology and sterotyped animal behavior interesting>) and think I could be quite happy doing studies.

So what's your opinion?

Not necessarily enough to be dissuaded. Many people report that the idea of writing long papers, citing millions of sources, doing research, etc... to be daunting if it is on a subject that they do not thoroughly enjoy. Having said that, you should still have enough persistence and dedication in a graduate program to be willing to do these things and give it your all, even when it is not directly in your niche focus, because you are a devoted student and aspiring professional. If the idea of doing this troubles you, and you imagine that you would just hack some of your program, then pursuing a PhD may be too arduous for your ability to tolerate and you may risk wasting a significant portion of your time. It is a very serious commitment.

 

[WisNeuro]

In grad school yes, beyond that, it's your choice.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Do you have any interest in clinical work? Most PhD's are actually clinicians. I'm a clinician who spends about 25% of their time doing research.

I do, but I'm interested in being a professor and teaching tbh.

Don't do it. You will have to write A LOT and if you don't like writing you will be miserable.

I mean I don't mind writing all that much. I can crap out a solid 10 pages in one night and I'm pretty coherent when I talk about theory and research ( Especially if I'm actually interested or like the subject) . But I for some reason have always hated APA formating and I always hated citing everything and writing long reference pages.
I mean I don't mean to be rude, but I've known plenty of legit FOBs from Korea and China who were PhD students for chem and literally couldn't write and apparently were managing fine.

 

[WisNeuro]

Dude, use endnote or something, makes the reference section for you. If that's the only thing keeping you from pursuing the career, definitely go for something else.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Dude, use endnote or something, makes the reference section for you. If that's the only thing keeping you from pursuing the career, definitely go for something else.

I've only used end note once haha. It was ultra laggy and smelled like windows 98 xD.
But yah, idk I always kinda feared doing a PhD because I assumed that I'd kill myself writing up a reference page because I genuinely always had to use knightcite to do it for me.

 

[LivingOffLoans]

I've only used end note once haha. It was ultra laggy and smelled like windows 98 xD.
But yah, idk I always kinda feared doing a PhD because I assumed that I'd kill myself writing up a reference page because I genuinely always had to use knightcite to do it for me.

Reference pages really aren't that bad. I typically write out each APA reference on individual Word documents; using each document for annotating what article(s) I am reviewing. When it comes time to put the references page together, I just copy/paste the reference from my annotations. Given how much time you will actually spend reviewing articles, writing the reference out will hardly cross your mind at all!

 

[deadmau5]

Well, academic / research jobs are all about writing. You are always writing, citing, arguing through words why your paper or grant should be accepted.
I was just reading that David Matusomoto biopic on this site - I admire his work ethic (but also agree he kind of goes too far). The guy wakes up at 5:30am and writes until 8 or 9 every morning before he heads into work. I wish I was like that. I have my writing moods and then my non-writing moods. Usually I can sit and write for a couple of days per week but other days I need to do something else - read materials, mark, organize, summarize data. Writing is something I find taxing, but also highly rewarding.

 

[Marissa4usa]

I do, but I'm interested in being a professor and teaching tbh.

I mean I don't mind writing all that much. I can crap out a solid 10 pages in one night and I'm pretty coherent when I talk about theory and research ( Especially if I'm actually interested or like the subject) . But I for some reason have always hated APA formating and I always hated citing everything and writing long reference pages.
I mean I don't mean to be rude, but I've known plenty of legit FOBs from Korea and China who were PhD students for chem and literally couldn't write and apparently were managing fine.

I think you will find very few people who *enjoy* APA formatting. I honestly laughed a little bit when I read that. I mean, writing most definitely is a considerate part of your career as a researcher, but if it is really APA formatting that you loathe, then you just need to get over that 🙄. I, for example, do not particularly enjoy writing at all; it takes me a long time to think about how I want to say things and present an argument- I much rather put together an APA reference section than think about how to phrase something. Use a citation software: EndNote, Mendeley, Zotero. Alternatively, PsycInfo gives you the citation right then and there, you just need to copy and paste. Although I don't *love* this part, I would not consider not pursuing a career in clinical psychology because of that.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I think you will find very few people who *enjoy* APA formatting. I honestly laughed a little bit when I read that. I mean, writing most definitely is a considerate part of your career as a researcher, but if it is really APA formatting that you loathe, then you just need to get over that 🙄. I, for example, do not particularly enjoy writing at all; it takes me a long time to think about how I want to say things and present an argument- I much rather put together an APA reference section than think about how to phrase something. Use a citation software: EndNote, Mendeley, Zotero. Alternatively, PsycInfo gives you the citation right then and there, you just need to copy and paste. Although I don't *love* this part, I would not consider not pursuing a career in clinical psychology because of that.

Haha, obviously. I think it was more just a concerning issue that I was considering.
Personally I think one of my bigger issues with psych is that my interests are pretty polymath. Like I think I'd want to study cognitive neurodevelopmental psychology with an emphasis on looking at the changes long term of people who are at risk and then later develop psychopathologies or conditions. But I don't think that is exactly feasible and goes over into like 50 fields.