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2025-03-14T15:54:01Z

Jeffrey9:

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! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#001E4D;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">About the Ph.D. Prep Program</h2>
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BYU's [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/soa School of Accountancy] offers a specialized Ph.D. Prep Track as part of the Masters of Accountancy (MAcc) degree. The program is designed to prepare students to enroll in a Ph.D. program in accounting at another university after finishing their master’s degree. Students in both the five-year integrated program and the two-year graduate program are eligible to apply to the PhD Prep Track. The program involves Ph.D.-style seminars to learn about research and academic work, as well as coursework in mathematics, econometrics, and statistics. <div style="float:right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em;">[[Image:Infocircle.jpg|alt=Info|Info]]</div> Students who participated in this program have been highly successful in placing at research intensive Ph.D. programs. Those who complete their Ph.D. in accounting enter a field where there is high demand, and it is projected that this will be the case for the foreseeable future. [[Life as a Professor#What do Accounting Professors get Paid?|Starting salaries]] for new professors in accounting are two to four times higher than starting salaries for MAcc graduates.
Learn more about the Prep Track by reading the [[History of the Prep Track]].
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! <h2 style="margin:0;background:#001E4D;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">The BYU Accounting Community</h2>
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|If you are interested in seeing a list of BYU Ph.D. Prep students, current accounting doctoral students, current BYU accounting faculty, and current accounting faculty of other institutions who have ties to BYU please contact Jon Kerr.
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'''* Check out the new website [https://www.techhub.training/ TechHub.training] to improve your data analytic skills.

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!colspan="2"|<h2 style="margin:0;background:#001E4D;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Deciding if a Ph.D. is for you?</h2>
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|style="color:#000;text-align:left" colspan="2"|If you've decided to pursue a Ph.D., it is important to know what is ahead of you. In accounting, and many other disciplines, a doctoral degree is required to work as a university professor. Professors split their time between doing research and teaching students. They enjoy flexibility and satisfaction while striving to make a difference in the world. The following links will help you understand a career in academia and what to expect.
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|[[Image:DoctoralStudents.jpg|none|100px|center|link=Life as a Doctoral Student|Life as a Doctoral Student]]||[[Image:Professor1.jpg|none|100px|center|link=Life as a Professor|Life as a Professor]]
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|[[Life as a Doctoral Student]]||[[Life as a Professor]]
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|[[Image:Application.jpg|none|100px|center|link=Applying to a Ph.D. Program|Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]||[[Image:Preparetosucceed.jpg|none|100px|center|link=Preparing for a Doctoral Program|Preparing for a Doctoral Program]]
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|[[Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]||[[Preparing for a Doctoral Program]]
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|[[Image:Research1.jpg|none|100px|center|link=What is accounting research?|What is Accounting Research?]]||[[Image:GMAT.jpg|none|100px|center|link=The GMAT|The GMAT]]
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|[[What is accounting research?|What is Accounting Research?]]||[[The GMAT]]
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!colspan="2"|<h2 style="margin:0;background:#001E4D;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Advice, Suggestions, and Resources</h2>
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|style="color:#000;text-align:left" colspan="2"|This site is meant to provide useful advice, suggestions, and resources for all users, whether interested in a Ph.D. or already in a doctoral program. Information is separated by topical area:
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|[[Image:diploma.jpg|none|100px|link=Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A|Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]]||[[Image:curve.jpg|none|100px|link=Research|Research]]
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|[[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]]||[[Research]]
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|[[Image:professor.jpg|none|100px|link=Teaching and Service|Teaching and Service]]||
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|[[Teaching and Service]]

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What is a Ph.D. seminar really like, and how can I prepare?

2024-12-30T18:28:15Z

Jeffrey9:

'''How are Ph.D. seminars structured?'''

Ph.D. seminars vary in how they are set up. Some universities have methodological seminars such as archival, experimental, judgement and decision making, etc. Others have topical seminars such as auditing, financial, tax, managerial, etc. The structure of the seminar is largely dependent on the university you are at and on the faculty who teach the seminar. You will likely take seminars in the accounting department as well as other departments such as finance, management, and/or economics..

'''What do I do in a seminar?'''

Faculty take different approaches as to how they structure their seminars. During your doctoral program you will have multiple seminars and will likely have more than one approach. Some faculty may assign one doctoral student to each research paper to be the disussion leader. Others may ask that you come prepared with overheads or Powerpoint slides and present the research paper assigned to you. Still others may prefer to lead the discussion themselves for all papers but will likely expect your involvement in the discussion. The frequency of you taking the role of "discussion leader" or "presenter" will depend largely on the number of students in your seminar.

'''How do I prepare for a Ph.D. seminar?'''

Regardless of the approach taken in the seminar, the best preparation is to thoroughly read all of the papers assigned and come prepared with questions and comments. If you don't understand something in the paper you would be wise to cross reference with other papers (even if they are not assigned) to get a deeper understanding of the material. All faculty recognize thorough preparation and your efforts will pay off down the road.

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Teaching and Service

2024-12-30T18:17:09Z

Jeffrey9:

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* [[How to ask good questions in workshop]]
* [[How important is discussing papers and being a moderator at conferences?]]
* [[What conferences are the best to attend?]]
* [[What is a Ph.D. seminar really like, and how can I prepare?]]

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* [[Recommended Books]]
* [[General Teaching Issues]]

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What conferences are the best to attend?

2024-12-30T18:15:19Z

Jeffrey9:

Accounting research conferences provide academics with many opportunities. Submitting an article to a conference provides authors with a chance to obtain valuable feedback from many other academics. At some conferences sponsered by some journals, articles that are accepted into a conference are almost guaranteed an acceptance at that journal. During a conference, academic have many opportunities to meet others and build their network.

Some of the best conferences to attend are the following:

*AAA annual meeting (great for connecting with almost everyone).

*AAA section meetings (for me the FARS and International Section meetings have been useful)

*Journal conferences such as:JAE, JAR, JAAF, JBFA, RAST, CAR, etc. This are by invitation so to get invited you may need to submit papers or lobby with some people you know who go to these conferences. Great way to network and get feedback on your research.

Here is some information on these conferences:

* Information about the '''Journal of Accounting Research Conference''' can be found [http://research.chicagobooth.edu/arc/journal-of-accounting-research/jar-annual-conference here]. The JAR conference is held each year in May at the Gleacher Center, The University of Chicago's downtown classroom building and conference center. It is an invitation only conference.
* Information about the '''Contemporary Accounting Research Conference ''' can be found [https://eaa-online.org/arc/events/call-for-papers-40th-annual-contemporary-accounting-research-conference/ here]. The CAR conference is held in the fall of each year at various locations in Canada. It is an invitation only conference.
*Information about the '''Journal of Accounting and Economics Conference''' can be found [https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/events/jae-conference here]. The JAE conference is held each fall at various locations. It is an invitation only conference.
* Information about the '''Review of Accounting Studies Conference''' can be found [https://link.springer.com/journal/11142/updates/26671522 here]. The RAST conference is held each fall at various locations. It is an invitation only conference.

International conferences are also very good. The best being the European Accounting Conference (annually) and the IAAER world conferences (every two years).
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How important is discussing papers and being a moderator at conferences?

2024-12-30T18:07:02Z

Jeffrey9:

Attending conferences is a good way to network for future research projects, and is also a good way to advertise yourself to potential colleagues, reviewers, and employers.

Sectional leaders are often always short on discussants and moderators during conferences such as the AAA annual conference. If you are able, be sure to volunteer for these assignments when you sign up for conferences. When you receive assignments to be a discussant or moderator, be sure that the presentation times don't conflict with other events (for example, if you are also presenting in different session in the same time slot), because the AAA system at present doesn't check for conflicts.

'''When Serving as a Moderator'''

As a moderator, show up early to the session and greet the presenters as they arrive. If you have one, bring a "clicker" that they can use for their presenation. Review the ground rules with them (there are no set rules, but for AAA meetings, 20 minutes for the presentation and 8 minutes for the discussant are typical, and this will leave about 5 minutes for questions from the audience at the end of the 1.5 hour sessions. Have the presenters and discussants place their slide files on the laptop before the session begins. I find it is best to have the paper presentation followed immediately by the discussant, as then the paper is fresh in everyone's mind. Give a 2 minute warning to presenters and discussants, and then direct the Q&A session at the end. Conclude by thanking the particpants at the end.

'''When Serving as a Discussant'''

As a discussant, carefully read the paper and provide ''constructive'' feedback (start with the the good, and then the bad). Remember, your comments will be viewed and evaluated by an audience that has likely not read the paper but has just heard the presentation. A good discussant will begin by discussing the paper's context and overall research field, and then how that particular paper adds to that stream of research. In criticising the paper, remember that your job is to (1) to help the author(s) improve their paper, hopefully into publishable work at a top journal, and (2) help the audience digest the paper. Making yourself look smart is not in that set (although that will happen by default if you execute 1 and 2 well). A thoughtful discussant will share his slides with the presenters before the session (although time constraints may make that difficult in all situations). If there are serious flaws in the paper, try bringing them to the author's attention before the session. If you feel they should be presented as part of your discussion, do so as nicely as possible.

'''Closing Comments'''

In both roles, look the part by dressing up and not down. A typical conference session can get pretty dry, and sometimes some appropriate humor can help break things up. After the session, where possible, stick around and offer any follow-up comments to the presenters, and have some business cards ready in case there is someone there you may want to work with in the future. If a situation beyond your control comes up and you can't fulfill your assignment, let the section leader know as soon as possible (and, if you can, find your own replacement). Unless you're dead, never be surprise no-show. Let people remember you as a great potential colleague...someone they would like to work with if they had the opportunity!

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How important is discussing papers and being a moderator at conferences?

2024-12-30T18:06:47Z

Jeffrey9:

Attending conferences is a good way to network for future research projects, and is also a good way to advertise yourself to potential colleagues, reviewers, and employers.

Sectional leaders are often always short on discussants and moderators during conferences such as the AAA annual conference. If you are able, be sure to volunteer for these assignments when you sign up for conferences. When you receive assignments to be a discussant or moderator, be sure that the presentation times don't conflict with other events (for example, if you are also presenting in different session in the same time slot), because the AAA system at present doesn't check for conflicts.

'''When Serving as a Moderator'''

As a moderator, show up early to the session and greet the presenters as they arrive. If you have one, bring a "clicker" that they can use for their presenation. Review the ground rules with them (there are no set rules, but for AAA meetings, 20 minutes for the presentation and 8 minutes for the discussant are typical, and this will leave about 5 minutes for questions from the audience at the end of the 1.5 hour sessions. Have the presenters and discussants place their slide files on the laptop before the session begins. I find it is best to have the paper presentation followed immediately by the discussant, as then the paper is fresh in everyone's mind. Give a 2 minute warning to presenters and discussants, and then direct the Q&A session at the end. Conclude by thanking the particpants at the end.

'''When Serving as a Discussant'''

As a discussant, carefully read the paper and provide ''constructive'' feedback (start with the the good, and then the bad). Remember, your comments will be viewed and evaluated by an audience that has likely not read the paper but has just heard the presentation. A good discussant will begin by discussing the paper's context and overall research field, and then how that particular paper adds to that stream of research. In criticising the paper, remember that your job is to (1) to help the author(s) improve their paper, hopefully into publishable work at a top journal, and (2) help the audience digest the paper. Making yourself look smart is not in that set (although that will happen by default if you execute 1 and 2 well). A thoughtful discussant will share his slides with the presenters before the session (although time constraints may make that difficult in all situations). If there are serious flaws in the paper, try bringing them to the author's attention before the session. If you feel they should be presented as part of your discussion, do so as nicely as possible.

'''Closing Comments'''

In both roles, look the part by dressing up and not down. A typical conference session can get pretty dry, and sometimes some appropriate humor can help break things up. After the session, where possible, stick around and offer any follow-up comments to the presenters, and have some business cards ready in case there is someone there you may want to work with in the future.

If a situation beyond your control comes up and you can't fulfill your assignment, let the section leader know as soon as possible (and, if you can, find your own replacement). Unless you're dead, never be surprise no-show. Let people remember you as a great potential colleague...someone they would like to work with if they had the opportunity!

----
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! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Teaching and Service]] ► [[How important is discussing papers and being a moderator at conferences?]]</small>
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What is the best way to manage the review process?

2024-12-30T18:00:53Z

Jeffrey9: /* Other Helpful Tips */

==Managing the Review Process – Advice for the Accounting Academic==

===Overview===

The review process is an important tool that you can use to improve your research, and it is the pathway to publications in academic journals; therefore, it needs to be carefully managed. Although there are unfortunate exceptions, the review report(s) and comments from the editor reflect a detailed and critical reading of your paper by objective (and often very smart) 3rd parties, and so their advice should be very carefully considered. This often takes time. Seeking the advice of senior colleagues is very helpful. If the editor allows a resubmission then you should prepare a detailed response to both the review report(s) and the editorial’s suggestions. Be courteous. Even if the paper is rejected, the comments are still often useful, and should be carefully considered before you send the paper elsewhere.

===Introduction===

The review process is a critical component of our academic system. Editors and reviewers play a key role as gatekeepers over what gets admitted into the accounting literature. A poor paper that is accepted can be very embarrassing to those involved; therefore, editors and reviewers are rigorous and will err on the side of rejecting a paper. Top journals typically have an acceptance rate of around 10%.

An accepted paper is a form of academic currency, and without accepted papers (especially at top journals), you will not get tenure. This means that the review process is also emotionally difficult as well as intellectually challenging. Success at this game requires hard work and persistence.

While this article is focused on managing the review process, note that the review process is intimately connected with the overall management of your research project. Don’t take on a project when you can’t see a clear path to your targeted range of journals. Never send a paper for review that has not been read by anyone other than you and your co-author. Have some colleagues read it and give you critical feedback; these can be individuals at your current university, and faculty you know from your PhD as well as colleagues you meet at conferences, etc. Ideally, you should submit the paper to one or more conferences to get some exposure for it. Conference participants will likely not give your paper a detailed read, but the discussant probably will, and the act of presenting paper will sometimes reveal flaws that should be fixed before you submit the paper for review. Tell friends at other schools that you have a new research paper that you’d love to present at their workshop sometime…maybe they can fit you in. Post the paper on SSRN when it’s in good shape. An editor who recognizes your name will be more favorably disposed to your submission, and a paper free of obvious mistakes is more likely to be carefully read.

Your writing should be as clear and succinct as possible. A great idea, even with fabulous statistics, will be quickly overshadowed by poor exposition. If you read over the paper and find yourself saying “the reader will figure things out by the end of the paper,” it is very likely that the reviewer will not bother to reach the end of the paper. Make it as easy as possible for your reader to understand why your paper is important, and what your key results are...in the introduction, so the editor and reviewers don’t have to go hunting for it. Papers that are convoluted, repetitive, or have grammatical errors suggest sloppy thinking; the reviewer will react accordingly. Finally, some have the rule of thumb to keep the text down to under 30 double-spaced pages; longer papers are less likely to get a careful and thorough read. Another signal of good research that reviewers will appreciate is to include (usually in the conclusion) some discussion of possible limitations of the paper, and where possible future lines of inquiry might exist. Papers that pretend to be flawless, or the complete and final word on a topic, are likely to be found wanting.

When you submit the paper, include a brief cover letter that points out the highlights of the paper (most importantly, why it is interesting and what it adds to the literature). Editors are busy, and they want you tell them why they should consider publishing your paper. Once your paper is in review, my advice is not to ask the editor about its status unless the review is seriously late (at least one month overdue, and more likely two, based on the review times that the journal publishes). If you do ask about the status of paper, do so pleasantly. Reviewers are often busy, and they won’t take kindly to nagging.

===Responding to Various Editorial Decisions===

Read over the letter (typically an e-mail) carefully, and don’t send any quick response. Forward it to your co-author(s). If you need a break, do something else for a while. When you do return to the report, be sure to understand what is in it. Ask a senior colleague to read it over and give you advice.

====A “Revise and Resubmit”====

If the decision is positive (typically a “revise and resubmit” – where the editor will allow you to make revisions following the editor’s and the reviewers’ comments and resubmit the paper), be sure to read the reports in detail. Cut-and-paste the editor’s comments and the review reports into a Word file where you can easily write in your response to them. This file can also serve to hold your initial thoughts as you think about each point, and if you have a co-author, it can be useful to pass this file back-and-forth as you both think about how to respond. If at all possible within a reasonable time frame, do what they ask. Ultimately, you will want a document that gives a detailed response to each point raised by the editor and the reviewer. You will want to be concise and deliberate here. The editor and reviewer have invested time and effort into improving your work, and if you ignore, sidestep, or discount their comments, they will not be pleased. Spell check. If they’ve made a typo in their verbiage to you, fix it without comment. Thank them for their efforts. If you can do so, try to add more to the paper than the reviewer and editor explicitly asked for. You don’t want to submit a completely different paper, but you do want to make it as easy as possible for the editor and reviewer to be impressed with your work.

You may disagree with what the editor and reviewer want; if so, explain why you think your approach is better (or, in some cases, why what they want can’t be done or would be incorrect), and be pleasant about it. If at all possible, put the results to what they wanted in a supplementary table that you can include in your response when you resubmit the paper. Remember, your name is going on the paper if it is published, so you are ultimately responsible for it. Having a senior colleague read over your revision and your response to the editor and review can be very helpful before you return it to the journal, because you don’t want to miss anything.

A typical turn-around time for a revise and resubmit is 2-3 months, though it can be longer if substantial data collections and analyses are requested. If you anticipate the revisions will take longer than a year, a letter to the editor might be in order so that he knows you are still pursuing the project.

====A Rejection====

Rejections are, unfortunately, much more common in our profession. Take a longer break before you revisit a rejection. You will not want to simply throw the review report and editor comments away, because they often contain useful information. We live in a small world as accounting academics, and if you are rude in a response to an editor, it will come back to haunt you. Don’t respond if you can’t think of anything nice to say.

You should spend some time thinking about why the paper was rejected. Sometimes your paper might have been scooped by another recent paper, and you will need to consider whether you can redirect your paper into another interesting area where it could be publishable (or, at least, you should determine if you can explain why the earlier paper doesn’t trump your results). Often the editor or reviewer might believe the marginal contribution is too small. These can be difficult problems to overcome. If you can’t convincingly explain why the results of the paper are important, it may be time to either drop the project or send it to a lower-tier journal. Sometimes it might be a “taste” issue – where the editor or reviewer just doesn’t like the topic (or perhaps your approach to the topic). In these cases, you can often send the paper to another peer journal, because tastes vary between editors (but see below: you should still consider improving the paper before sending it elsewhere). Advice and feedback from a senior colleague can be very helpful when receiving rejection. They have experienced the same thing – multiple times – so they can relate and can offer useful feedback.

It can be emotionally pleasing to be hyper-critical as you read the review report on a rejection, and therefore easy to be dismissive. But even in a bad review, there are often nuggets of insight that you can draw upon. You don’t need to make a detailed response to the review or editor comments, but you should read things over carefully to glean what you can. For example, the reviewer might find fault with your particular statistical methodology. This suggests that in the next revision you should at least consider using a better methodology (or adding a robustness check to show that the methodology the review wanted won’t change anything).

Sometimes the editor or reviewer will have a completely different take on how you should approach a topic, and they may recommend massive changes to the paper. If their comments are off-the-cuff, or otherwise not well thought out, be prepared to ignore them or consider them as ideas for a new and different paper.

A bad review can also be a signal that your paper was poorly written or not well motivated, because if you can’t explain why your paper is interesting, why should a reviewer or editor put much time into evaluating it? Also, if your topic was not clearly spelled out, or if the relationship with prior work was not established, the editor may have struggled to think of who might best review the paper. An editor will not read the paper in detail to hunt down this information, so you should help him out by getting to these critical points quickly and clearly in your paper.

It may be tempting to send the paper off to another journal without revisions. Consider carefully before doing so. Is there really nothing that could be done to improve the paper? A hastily resubmitted paper can cost you. One of the PhD Prep alumni had a colleague recognize a badly written paper from a prior review a year or two ago for a different journal. The author had made no effort whatsoever to improve the paper, and the editor’s response to the author was not pleasant.

In rare cases you may feel that you should object to the rejection. Some journals have a formal process for this; with others, the process is informal. Before you challenge a rejection, be sure you can clearly, nicely, and objectively state why the decision was wrong. This very rarely results in a useful outcome. In my opinion, it is a waste of time (and sometimes money) to object to a rejection which involves the editor’s opinion. If you believe your objection is based upon a breach of ethics, a factual misunderstanding, or other extraordinary circumstances worthy of appeal, ask a senior colleague for advice before continuing.

====Acceptance and Conditional Acceptance====

These are happy things. However, even with a conditional acceptance (where the editor agrees to publish your paper provided you can fulfill a short list of his requests), you should still respond carefully to what he has asked you to do. Be sure to provide a detailed response to his requests, and do them as quickly as you can while still being thorough.

===Closing Comments===

There’s nothing quite like reading the words “I am pleased to accept your paper for publication in the….” Prior rejections can make this all the more sweeter. Persistence is a well-rewarded quality in our profession. While you should be prepared to drop projects that clearly aren’t going anywhere, you should also stick to projects that make worthwhile contributions to the literature. Ball & Brown (1968) was rejected by a top accounting journal (it wasn’t accounting research to the editor at the time). Feltham and Ohlson (1995) was also rejected before being published. So, if your paper is rejected, it is in good company!

You will also likely be a reviewer at some point in your career. If you felt you were treated unfairly by the review process, it may be tempting to “dish it out” to some other poor shmuck. While you should be objective and rigorous, you should also be nice. Your goal as a reviewer should be to improve the quality of the research (and, if you can, help another struggling academic with some good feedback and advice!).

==Other Helpful Tips==
'''Where to send papers?'''

Different schools have different expectations for achieving tenure and receiving annual merit pay. Often, the schools will have a "journal rankings" list to give you some idea of the relative value of publishing in a particular journal. You should work on papers that are valued by the profession and, at a minimum, those valued by your institution.

'''Showing Incremental Contribution: A Goal of the Reviewing Process'''

In my opinion, most manuscripts get rejected because of a lack of incremental contribution. The research design may be adequate, the data and research question interesting, and appropriate inferences can be made. But somehow, even after all that, the question is why are we in a better position because of this manuscript? Why will I think about the world differently now because of this paper? Therefore, a goal of the reviewing process is to heavily promote your incremental contribution to the literature.

'''Receipt of Revise and Resubmit Recommendation'''

First of all, say a prayer of thanks for getting past a major hurdle. Once the prayer is over, it is time to get to work! Focus on those items that will take some major effort (e.g., additional data collection and analysis, review of different research stream, etc.). Once those are addressed, focus on the smaller issues. Address each and every point in the revision in a thorough way. Then write a response to reviewers that provides a point-by-point response to each question. Authors are usually given one year to revise the paper.

Sometimes it does not make sense to revise the paper. Are the reviewers asking you to do something nearly impossible? Or do the results of your paper go away after some robustness checks. you must continually assess if a satisfactory revision will be able to be done. Sometimes it will take less effort or you may have a better chance of getting this article published with a different reviewer team at a different journal.

'''How to Handle Rejection'''

For most top-tier journals, the rejection rate is above 90%. Knowing this base rate, even the most accomplished authors can expect that their manuscript will be rejected. While frustrating, one should take the opportunity to learn why the reviewers did not extend an opportunity to revise the paper. Was it a lack of incremental contribution? Was it a research design flaw or error? Was it due to a lack of motivation? How can you use this knowledge to your advantage in a subsequent paper?
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Research]] ► [[What is the best way to manage the review process?]]</small>
|}

What is the best way to manage the review process?

2024-12-30T17:58:16Z

Jeffrey9: /* A Rejection */

==Managing the Review Process – Advice for the Accounting Academic==

===Overview===

The review process is an important tool that you can use to improve your research, and it is the pathway to publications in academic journals; therefore, it needs to be carefully managed. Although there are unfortunate exceptions, the review report(s) and comments from the editor reflect a detailed and critical reading of your paper by objective (and often very smart) 3rd parties, and so their advice should be very carefully considered. This often takes time. Seeking the advice of senior colleagues is very helpful. If the editor allows a resubmission then you should prepare a detailed response to both the review report(s) and the editorial’s suggestions. Be courteous. Even if the paper is rejected, the comments are still often useful, and should be carefully considered before you send the paper elsewhere.

===Introduction===

The review process is a critical component of our academic system. Editors and reviewers play a key role as gatekeepers over what gets admitted into the accounting literature. A poor paper that is accepted can be very embarrassing to those involved; therefore, editors and reviewers are rigorous and will err on the side of rejecting a paper. Top journals typically have an acceptance rate of around 10%.

An accepted paper is a form of academic currency, and without accepted papers (especially at top journals), you will not get tenure. This means that the review process is also emotionally difficult as well as intellectually challenging. Success at this game requires hard work and persistence.

While this article is focused on managing the review process, note that the review process is intimately connected with the overall management of your research project. Don’t take on a project when you can’t see a clear path to your targeted range of journals. Never send a paper for review that has not been read by anyone other than you and your co-author. Have some colleagues read it and give you critical feedback; these can be individuals at your current university, and faculty you know from your PhD as well as colleagues you meet at conferences, etc. Ideally, you should submit the paper to one or more conferences to get some exposure for it. Conference participants will likely not give your paper a detailed read, but the discussant probably will, and the act of presenting paper will sometimes reveal flaws that should be fixed before you submit the paper for review. Tell friends at other schools that you have a new research paper that you’d love to present at their workshop sometime…maybe they can fit you in. Post the paper on SSRN when it’s in good shape. An editor who recognizes your name will be more favorably disposed to your submission, and a paper free of obvious mistakes is more likely to be carefully read.

Your writing should be as clear and succinct as possible. A great idea, even with fabulous statistics, will be quickly overshadowed by poor exposition. If you read over the paper and find yourself saying “the reader will figure things out by the end of the paper,” it is very likely that the reviewer will not bother to reach the end of the paper. Make it as easy as possible for your reader to understand why your paper is important, and what your key results are...in the introduction, so the editor and reviewers don’t have to go hunting for it. Papers that are convoluted, repetitive, or have grammatical errors suggest sloppy thinking; the reviewer will react accordingly. Finally, some have the rule of thumb to keep the text down to under 30 double-spaced pages; longer papers are less likely to get a careful and thorough read. Another signal of good research that reviewers will appreciate is to include (usually in the conclusion) some discussion of possible limitations of the paper, and where possible future lines of inquiry might exist. Papers that pretend to be flawless, or the complete and final word on a topic, are likely to be found wanting.

When you submit the paper, include a brief cover letter that points out the highlights of the paper (most importantly, why it is interesting and what it adds to the literature). Editors are busy, and they want you tell them why they should consider publishing your paper. Once your paper is in review, my advice is not to ask the editor about its status unless the review is seriously late (at least one month overdue, and more likely two, based on the review times that the journal publishes). If you do ask about the status of paper, do so pleasantly. Reviewers are often busy, and they won’t take kindly to nagging.

===Responding to Various Editorial Decisions===

Read over the letter (typically an e-mail) carefully, and don’t send any quick response. Forward it to your co-author(s). If you need a break, do something else for a while. When you do return to the report, be sure to understand what is in it. Ask a senior colleague to read it over and give you advice.

====A “Revise and Resubmit”====

If the decision is positive (typically a “revise and resubmit” – where the editor will allow you to make revisions following the editor’s and the reviewers’ comments and resubmit the paper), be sure to read the reports in detail. Cut-and-paste the editor’s comments and the review reports into a Word file where you can easily write in your response to them. This file can also serve to hold your initial thoughts as you think about each point, and if you have a co-author, it can be useful to pass this file back-and-forth as you both think about how to respond. If at all possible within a reasonable time frame, do what they ask. Ultimately, you will want a document that gives a detailed response to each point raised by the editor and the reviewer. You will want to be concise and deliberate here. The editor and reviewer have invested time and effort into improving your work, and if you ignore, sidestep, or discount their comments, they will not be pleased. Spell check. If they’ve made a typo in their verbiage to you, fix it without comment. Thank them for their efforts. If you can do so, try to add more to the paper than the reviewer and editor explicitly asked for. You don’t want to submit a completely different paper, but you do want to make it as easy as possible for the editor and reviewer to be impressed with your work.

You may disagree with what the editor and reviewer want; if so, explain why you think your approach is better (or, in some cases, why what they want can’t be done or would be incorrect), and be pleasant about it. If at all possible, put the results to what they wanted in a supplementary table that you can include in your response when you resubmit the paper. Remember, your name is going on the paper if it is published, so you are ultimately responsible for it. Having a senior colleague read over your revision and your response to the editor and review can be very helpful before you return it to the journal, because you don’t want to miss anything.

A typical turn-around time for a revise and resubmit is 2-3 months, though it can be longer if substantial data collections and analyses are requested. If you anticipate the revisions will take longer than a year, a letter to the editor might be in order so that he knows you are still pursuing the project.

====A Rejection====

Rejections are, unfortunately, much more common in our profession. Take a longer break before you revisit a rejection. You will not want to simply throw the review report and editor comments away, because they often contain useful information. We live in a small world as accounting academics, and if you are rude in a response to an editor, it will come back to haunt you. Don’t respond if you can’t think of anything nice to say.

You should spend some time thinking about why the paper was rejected. Sometimes your paper might have been scooped by another recent paper, and you will need to consider whether you can redirect your paper into another interesting area where it could be publishable (or, at least, you should determine if you can explain why the earlier paper doesn’t trump your results). Often the editor or reviewer might believe the marginal contribution is too small. These can be difficult problems to overcome. If you can’t convincingly explain why the results of the paper are important, it may be time to either drop the project or send it to a lower-tier journal. Sometimes it might be a “taste” issue – where the editor or reviewer just doesn’t like the topic (or perhaps your approach to the topic). In these cases, you can often send the paper to another peer journal, because tastes vary between editors (but see below: you should still consider improving the paper before sending it elsewhere). Advice and feedback from a senior colleague can be very helpful when receiving rejection. They have experienced the same thing – multiple times – so they can relate and can offer useful feedback.

It can be emotionally pleasing to be hyper-critical as you read the review report on a rejection, and therefore easy to be dismissive. But even in a bad review, there are often nuggets of insight that you can draw upon. You don’t need to make a detailed response to the review or editor comments, but you should read things over carefully to glean what you can. For example, the reviewer might find fault with your particular statistical methodology. This suggests that in the next revision you should at least consider using a better methodology (or adding a robustness check to show that the methodology the review wanted won’t change anything).

Sometimes the editor or reviewer will have a completely different take on how you should approach a topic, and they may recommend massive changes to the paper. If their comments are off-the-cuff, or otherwise not well thought out, be prepared to ignore them or consider them as ideas for a new and different paper.

A bad review can also be a signal that your paper was poorly written or not well motivated, because if you can’t explain why your paper is interesting, why should a reviewer or editor put much time into evaluating it? Also, if your topic was not clearly spelled out, or if the relationship with prior work was not established, the editor may have struggled to think of who might best review the paper. An editor will not read the paper in detail to hunt down this information, so you should help him out by getting to these critical points quickly and clearly in your paper.

It may be tempting to send the paper off to another journal without revisions. Consider carefully before doing so. Is there really nothing that could be done to improve the paper? A hastily resubmitted paper can cost you. One of the PhD Prep alumni had a colleague recognize a badly written paper from a prior review a year or two ago for a different journal. The author had made no effort whatsoever to improve the paper, and the editor’s response to the author was not pleasant.

In rare cases you may feel that you should object to the rejection. Some journals have a formal process for this; with others, the process is informal. Before you challenge a rejection, be sure you can clearly, nicely, and objectively state why the decision was wrong. This very rarely results in a useful outcome. In my opinion, it is a waste of time (and sometimes money) to object to a rejection which involves the editor’s opinion. If you believe your objection is based upon a breach of ethics, a factual misunderstanding, or other extraordinary circumstances worthy of appeal, ask a senior colleague for advice before continuing.

====Acceptance and Conditional Acceptance====

These are happy things. However, even with a conditional acceptance (where the editor agrees to publish your paper provided you can fulfill a short list of his requests), you should still respond carefully to what he has asked you to do. Be sure to provide a detailed response to his requests, and do them as quickly as you can while still being thorough.

===Closing Comments===

There’s nothing quite like reading the words “I am pleased to accept your paper for publication in the….” Prior rejections can make this all the more sweeter. Persistence is a well-rewarded quality in our profession. While you should be prepared to drop projects that clearly aren’t going anywhere, you should also stick to projects that make worthwhile contributions to the literature. Ball & Brown (1968) was rejected by a top accounting journal (it wasn’t accounting research to the editor at the time). Feltham and Ohlson (1995) was also rejected before being published. So, if your paper is rejected, it is in good company!

You will also likely be a reviewer at some point in your career. If you felt you were treated unfairly by the review process, it may be tempting to “dish it out” to some other poor shmuck. While you should be objective and rigorous, you should also be nice. Your goal as a reviewer should be to improve the quality of the research (and, if you can, help another struggling academic with some good feedback and advice!).

==Other Helpful Tips==
'''Where to send papers?'''

Different schools have different expectations for achieving tenure and receiving annual merit pay. Often, the schools will have a "journal rankings" list to give you some idea of the relative value of publishing in a particular journal. My own philosophy is that I should never work on an idea that doesn't have at least some chance at a top-tier journal. Then if it gets rejected, then I can decide if it is worth the effort to move it to a different top-tier journal after revising the paper or to move it down to the next level journal.

'''Showing Incremental Contribution: A Goal of the Reviewing Process'''

In my opinion, most manuscripts get rejected because of a lack of incremental contribution. The research design may be adequate, the data and research question interesting, and appropriate inferences can be made. But somehow, even after all that, the question is why are we in a better position because of this manuscript? Why will I think about the world differently now because of this paper? Therefore, a goal of the reviewing process is to heavily promote your incremental contribution to the literature.

'''Receipt of Revise and Resubmit Recommendation'''

First of all, say a prayer of thanks for getting past a major hurdle. Once the prayer is over, it is time to get to work! Focus on those items that will take some major effort (e.g., additional data collection and analysis, review of different research stream, etc.). Once those are addressed, focus on the smaller issues. Address each and every point in the revision in a thorough way. Then write a response to reviewers that provides a point-by-point response to each question. Authors are usually given one year to revise the paper. I like to return the paper in 3-4 months to show that I am able to quickly and completely respond with a complete revision.

Sometimes it does not make sense to revise the paper. Are the reviewers asking you to do something nearly impossible? Or do the results of your paper go away after some robustness checks. you must continually assess if a satisfactory revision will be able to be done. Sometimes it will take less effort or you may have a better chance of getting this article published with a different reviewer team at a different journal.

'''How to Handle Rejection'''

For most top-tier journals, the rejection rate is above 90%. Knowing this base rate, even the most accomplished authors can expect that their manuscript will be rejected. While frustrating, one should take the opportunity to learn why the reviewers did not extend an opportunity to revise the paper. Was it a lack of incremental contribution? Was it a research design flaw or error? Was it due to a lack of motivation? How can you use this knowledge to your advantage in a subsequent paper?
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Research]] ► [[What is the best way to manage the review process?]]</small>
|}

What is the best way to manage the review process?

2024-12-30T17:54:06Z

Jeffrey9: /* A “Revise and Resubmit” */

==Managing the Review Process – Advice for the Accounting Academic==

===Overview===

The review process is an important tool that you can use to improve your research, and it is the pathway to publications in academic journals; therefore, it needs to be carefully managed. Although there are unfortunate exceptions, the review report(s) and comments from the editor reflect a detailed and critical reading of your paper by objective (and often very smart) 3rd parties, and so their advice should be very carefully considered. This often takes time. Seeking the advice of senior colleagues is very helpful. If the editor allows a resubmission then you should prepare a detailed response to both the review report(s) and the editorial’s suggestions. Be courteous. Even if the paper is rejected, the comments are still often useful, and should be carefully considered before you send the paper elsewhere.

===Introduction===

The review process is a critical component of our academic system. Editors and reviewers play a key role as gatekeepers over what gets admitted into the accounting literature. A poor paper that is accepted can be very embarrassing to those involved; therefore, editors and reviewers are rigorous and will err on the side of rejecting a paper. Top journals typically have an acceptance rate of around 10%.

An accepted paper is a form of academic currency, and without accepted papers (especially at top journals), you will not get tenure. This means that the review process is also emotionally difficult as well as intellectually challenging. Success at this game requires hard work and persistence.

While this article is focused on managing the review process, note that the review process is intimately connected with the overall management of your research project. Don’t take on a project when you can’t see a clear path to your targeted range of journals. Never send a paper for review that has not been read by anyone other than you and your co-author. Have some colleagues read it and give you critical feedback; these can be individuals at your current university, and faculty you know from your PhD as well as colleagues you meet at conferences, etc. Ideally, you should submit the paper to one or more conferences to get some exposure for it. Conference participants will likely not give your paper a detailed read, but the discussant probably will, and the act of presenting paper will sometimes reveal flaws that should be fixed before you submit the paper for review. Tell friends at other schools that you have a new research paper that you’d love to present at their workshop sometime…maybe they can fit you in. Post the paper on SSRN when it’s in good shape. An editor who recognizes your name will be more favorably disposed to your submission, and a paper free of obvious mistakes is more likely to be carefully read.

Your writing should be as clear and succinct as possible. A great idea, even with fabulous statistics, will be quickly overshadowed by poor exposition. If you read over the paper and find yourself saying “the reader will figure things out by the end of the paper,” it is very likely that the reviewer will not bother to reach the end of the paper. Make it as easy as possible for your reader to understand why your paper is important, and what your key results are...in the introduction, so the editor and reviewers don’t have to go hunting for it. Papers that are convoluted, repetitive, or have grammatical errors suggest sloppy thinking; the reviewer will react accordingly. Finally, some have the rule of thumb to keep the text down to under 30 double-spaced pages; longer papers are less likely to get a careful and thorough read. Another signal of good research that reviewers will appreciate is to include (usually in the conclusion) some discussion of possible limitations of the paper, and where possible future lines of inquiry might exist. Papers that pretend to be flawless, or the complete and final word on a topic, are likely to be found wanting.

When you submit the paper, include a brief cover letter that points out the highlights of the paper (most importantly, why it is interesting and what it adds to the literature). Editors are busy, and they want you tell them why they should consider publishing your paper. Once your paper is in review, my advice is not to ask the editor about its status unless the review is seriously late (at least one month overdue, and more likely two, based on the review times that the journal publishes). If you do ask about the status of paper, do so pleasantly. Reviewers are often busy, and they won’t take kindly to nagging.

===Responding to Various Editorial Decisions===

Read over the letter (typically an e-mail) carefully, and don’t send any quick response. Forward it to your co-author(s). If you need a break, do something else for a while. When you do return to the report, be sure to understand what is in it. Ask a senior colleague to read it over and give you advice.

====A “Revise and Resubmit”====

If the decision is positive (typically a “revise and resubmit” – where the editor will allow you to make revisions following the editor’s and the reviewers’ comments and resubmit the paper), be sure to read the reports in detail. Cut-and-paste the editor’s comments and the review reports into a Word file where you can easily write in your response to them. This file can also serve to hold your initial thoughts as you think about each point, and if you have a co-author, it can be useful to pass this file back-and-forth as you both think about how to respond. If at all possible within a reasonable time frame, do what they ask. Ultimately, you will want a document that gives a detailed response to each point raised by the editor and the reviewer. You will want to be concise and deliberate here. The editor and reviewer have invested time and effort into improving your work, and if you ignore, sidestep, or discount their comments, they will not be pleased. Spell check. If they’ve made a typo in their verbiage to you, fix it without comment. Thank them for their efforts. If you can do so, try to add more to the paper than the reviewer and editor explicitly asked for. You don’t want to submit a completely different paper, but you do want to make it as easy as possible for the editor and reviewer to be impressed with your work.

You may disagree with what the editor and reviewer want; if so, explain why you think your approach is better (or, in some cases, why what they want can’t be done or would be incorrect), and be pleasant about it. If at all possible, put the results to what they wanted in a supplementary table that you can include in your response when you resubmit the paper. Remember, your name is going on the paper if it is published, so you are ultimately responsible for it. Having a senior colleague read over your revision and your response to the editor and review can be very helpful before you return it to the journal, because you don’t want to miss anything.

A typical turn-around time for a revise and resubmit is 2-3 months, though it can be longer if substantial data collections and analyses are requested. If you anticipate the revisions will take longer than a year, a letter to the editor might be in order so that he knows you are still pursuing the project.

====A Rejection====

Rejections are, unfortunately, much more common in our profession. Take a longer break before you revisit a rejection. You will not want to simply throw the review report and editor comments away, because they often contain useful information. If you believe the comments have some quality, sending a brief thank you to the editor is often appropriate (e.g., “although of course I would have preferred a different outcome, I was pleased to see the thoughtful comments you and the reviewer have made. If possible, could you thank the reviewer for his efforts?”). We live in a small world as accounting academics, and if you are rude in a response to an editor, it will come back to haunt you. Don’t respond if you can’t think of anything nice to say.

You should spend some time thinking about why the paper was rejected. Sometimes your paper might have been scooped by another recent paper, and you will need to consider whether you can redirect your paper into another interesting area where it could be publishable (or, at least, you should determine if you can explain why the earlier paper doesn’t trump your results). Often the editor or reviewer might believe the marginal contribution is too small. These can be difficult problems to overcome. If you can’t convincingly explain why the results of the paper are important, it may be time to either drop the project or send it to a lower-tier journal. Sometimes it might be a “taste” issue – where the editor or reviewer just doesn’t like the topic (or perhaps your approach to the topic). In these cases, you can often send the paper to another peer journal, because tastes vary between editors (but see below: you should still consider improving the paper before sending it elsewhere). Advice and feedback from a senior colleague can be very helpful when receiving rejection. They have experienced the same thing – multiple times – so they can relate and can offer useful feedback.

It can be emotionally pleasing to be hyper-critical as you read the review report on a rejection, and therefore easy to be dismissive. But even in a bad review, there are often nuggets of insight that you can draw upon. You don’t need to make a detailed response to the review or editor comments, but you should read things over carefully to glean what you can. For example, the reviewer might find fault with your particular statistical methodology. This suggests that in the next revision you should at least consider using a better methodology (or adding a robustness check to show that the methodology the review wanted won’t change anything).

Sometimes the editor or reviewer will have a completely different take on how you should approach a topic, and they may recommend massive changes to the paper. If their comments are off-the-cuff, or otherwise not well thought out, be prepared to ignore them or consider them as ideas for a new and different paper.

A bad review can also be a signal that your paper was poorly written or not well motivated, because if you can’t explain why your paper is interesting, why should a reviewer or editor put much time into evaluating it? Also, if your topic was not clearly spelled out, or if the relationship with prior work was not established, the editor may have struggled to think of who might best review the paper. An editor will not read the paper in detail to hunt down this information, so you should help him out by getting to these critical points quickly and clearly in your paper.

It may be tempting to send the paper off to another journal without revisions. Consider carefully before doing so. Is there really nothing that could be done to improve the paper? A hastily resubmitted paper can cost you. I had a colleague recognize a badly written paper from a prior review a year or two ago for a different journal. The author had made no effort whatsoever to improve the paper, and the editor’s response to the author was not pleasant.

In rare cases you may feel that you should object to the rejection. Some journals have a formal process for this; with others, the process is informal. Before you challenge a rejection, be sure you can clearly, nicely, and objectively state why the decision was wrong. Even then, I have rarely seen objections result in a useful outcome. In my opinion, it is a waste of time (and sometimes money) to object to a rejection which involves the editor’s opinion. If you believe you have an airtight case (everyone, recite together…) ask a senior colleague for advice before continuing.

====Acceptance and Conditional Acceptance====

These are happy things. However, even with a conditional acceptance (where the editor agrees to publish your paper provided you can fulfill a short list of his requests), you should still respond carefully to what he has asked you to do. Be sure to provide a detailed response to his requests, and do them as quickly as you can while still being thorough.

===Closing Comments===

There’s nothing quite like reading the words “I am pleased to accept your paper for publication in the….” Prior rejections can make this all the more sweeter. Persistence is a well-rewarded quality in our profession. While you should be prepared to drop projects that clearly aren’t going anywhere, you should also stick to projects that make worthwhile contributions to the literature. Ball & Brown (1968) was rejected by a top accounting journal (it wasn’t accounting research to the editor at the time). Feltham and Ohlson (1995) was also rejected before being published. So, if your paper is rejected, it is in good company!

You will also likely be a reviewer at some point in your career. If you felt you were treated unfairly by the review process, it may be tempting to “dish it out” to some other poor shmuck. While you should be objective and rigorous, you should also be nice. Your goal as a reviewer should be to improve the quality of the research (and, if you can, help another struggling academic with some good feedback and advice!).

==Other Helpful Tips==
'''Where to send papers?'''

Different schools have different expectations for achieving tenure and receiving annual merit pay. Often, the schools will have a "journal rankings" list to give you some idea of the relative value of publishing in a particular journal. My own philosophy is that I should never work on an idea that doesn't have at least some chance at a top-tier journal. Then if it gets rejected, then I can decide if it is worth the effort to move it to a different top-tier journal after revising the paper or to move it down to the next level journal.

'''Showing Incremental Contribution: A Goal of the Reviewing Process'''

In my opinion, most manuscripts get rejected because of a lack of incremental contribution. The research design may be adequate, the data and research question interesting, and appropriate inferences can be made. But somehow, even after all that, the question is why are we in a better position because of this manuscript? Why will I think about the world differently now because of this paper? Therefore, a goal of the reviewing process is to heavily promote your incremental contribution to the literature.

'''Receipt of Revise and Resubmit Recommendation'''

First of all, say a prayer of thanks for getting past a major hurdle. Once the prayer is over, it is time to get to work! Focus on those items that will take some major effort (e.g., additional data collection and analysis, review of different research stream, etc.). Once those are addressed, focus on the smaller issues. Address each and every point in the revision in a thorough way. Then write a response to reviewers that provides a point-by-point response to each question. Authors are usually given one year to revise the paper. I like to return the paper in 3-4 months to show that I am able to quickly and completely respond with a complete revision.

Sometimes it does not make sense to revise the paper. Are the reviewers asking you to do something nearly impossible? Or do the results of your paper go away after some robustness checks. you must continually assess if a satisfactory revision will be able to be done. Sometimes it will take less effort or you may have a better chance of getting this article published with a different reviewer team at a different journal.

'''How to Handle Rejection'''

For most top-tier journals, the rejection rate is above 90%. Knowing this base rate, even the most accomplished authors can expect that their manuscript will be rejected. While frustrating, one should take the opportunity to learn why the reviewers did not extend an opportunity to revise the paper. Was it a lack of incremental contribution? Was it a research design flaw or error? Was it due to a lack of motivation? How can you use this knowledge to your advantage in a subsequent paper?
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Research]] ► [[What is the best way to manage the review process?]]</small>
|}

Main Page

2024-12-30T17:38:49Z

Jeffrey9:

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[[Image:JonsHeader1.jpg |626 px|left|Header1]]
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[[Image:JonsHeader2.jpg |248 px|right|Header2]]
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{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
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! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#001E4D;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">About the Ph.D. Prep Program</h2>
|-
|style="color:#000"|
<center></center>
BYU's [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/soa School of Accountancy] offers a specialized Ph.D. Prep Track as part of the Masters of Accountancy (MAcc) degree. The program is designed to prepare students to enroll in a Ph.D. program in accounting at another university after finishing their master’s degree. Students in both the five-year integrated program and the two-year graduate program are eligible to apply to the PhD Prep Track. The program involves Ph.D.-style seminars to learn about research and academic work, as well as coursework in mathematics, econometrics, and statistics. <div style="float:right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em;">[[Image:Infocircle.jpg|alt=Info|Info]]</div> Students who participated in this program have been highly successful in placing at research intensive Ph.D. programs. Those who complete their Ph.D. in accounting enter a field where there is high demand, and it is projected that this will be the case for the foreseeable future. [[Life as a Professor#What do Accounting Professors get Paid?|Starting salaries]] for new professors in accounting are two to four times higher than starting salaries for MAcc graduates.
Learn more about the Prep Track by reading the [[History of the Prep Track]].
|-

! <h2 style="margin:0;background:#001E4D;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">The BYU Accounting Community</h2>
|-
|You can now see a list of BYU Ph.D. Prep students, current accounting doctoral students, current BYU accounting faculty, and current accounting faculty of other institutions who have ties to BYU by going to [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NnQOJmLHoHsMJvMnft7YQcaolAdiMoqdreB53FqKito/edit?usp=sharing BYU Alumni and Friends].
|-

|}
|class="MainPageBG" style="width:25%;border:1px solid #E4E7EA;background-color:#F6F5FA;vertical-align:top"|
{| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#F6F5FA"
! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#AFBBC9;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#001E4D;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Announcements</h2>
|-
|style="color:#000"|

'''* Check out the new website [https://www.techhub.training/ TechHub.training] to improve your data analytic skills.

|-
{| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#F6F5FA;text-align:center"
!colspan="2"|<h2 style="margin:0;background:#001E4D;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Deciding if a Ph.D. is for you?</h2>
|-
|style="color:#000;text-align:left" colspan="2"|If you've decided to pursue a Ph.D., it is important to know what is ahead of you. In accounting, and many other disciplines, a doctoral degree is required to work as a university professor. Professors split their time between doing research and teaching students. They enjoy flexibility and satisfaction while striving to make a difference in the world. The following links will help you understand a career in academia and what to expect.
|-
|[[Image:DoctoralStudents.jpg|none|100px|center|link=Life as a Doctoral Student|Life as a Doctoral Student]]||[[Image:Professor1.jpg|none|100px|center|link=Life as a Professor|Life as a Professor]]
|-
|[[Life as a Doctoral Student]]||[[Life as a Professor]]
|-
|[[Image:Application.jpg|none|100px|center|link=Applying to a Ph.D. Program|Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]||[[Image:Preparetosucceed.jpg|none|100px|center|link=Preparing for a Doctoral Program|Preparing for a Doctoral Program]]
|-
|[[Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]||[[Preparing for a Doctoral Program]]
|-
|[[Image:Research1.jpg|none|100px|center|link=What is accounting research?|What is Accounting Research?]]||[[Image:GMAT.jpg|none|100px|center|link=The GMAT|The GMAT]]
|-
|[[What is accounting research?|What is Accounting Research?]]||[[The GMAT]]
|}

{| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#F6F5FA;text-align:center"
!colspan="2"|<h2 style="margin:0;background:#001E4D;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Advice, Suggestions, and Resources</h2>
|-
|style="color:#000;text-align:left" colspan="2"|This site is meant to provide useful advice, suggestions, and resources for all users, whether interested in a Ph.D. or already in a doctoral program. Information is separated by topical area:
|-
|[[Image:diploma.jpg|none|100px|link=Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A|Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]]||[[Image:curve.jpg|none|100px|link=Research|Research]]
|-
|[[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]]||[[Research]]
|-
|[[Image:professor.jpg|none|100px|link=Teaching and Service|Teaching and Service]]||
|-
|[[Teaching and Service]]

|-
|}

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History of the Prep Track

2024-12-30T17:38:24Z

Jeffrey9:

The [[Main Page|BYU Accounting Ph.D. prep track]] has its informal roots in 1994, when BYU accounting faculty member Doug Prawitt encountered several students who had an interest in pursuing an academic career but had little idea what earning a Ph.D. entailed; moreover, since academia is suffering from a significant long-term shortage of accounting professors and is projected to face even more significant shortages in the future, the program seemed ideally suited for the situation.

Department approval to begin the SOA Ph.D. Prep track was received in 1996, and several students were mentored on an individual basis through 1999. The Ph.D. Prep track was launched on a larger scale in 2000, when Professor Prawitt began proactively recruiting Jr. Core accounting students into the program, initiated a formal application process, and created a new Ph.D. Prep seminar designed to introduce Ph.D. Prep students to the philosophy of science and academic research in accounting. In 2002, seven students from the initial group that began the Ph.D. Prep track in 2000 entered accounting Ph.D. programs at Stanford University, University of Chicago, Cornell University and other top universities that fall. Each year since that time, the program has placed between four and eleven students into excellent Ph.D. programs across the country.

The program has steadily grown and evolved with the help of several members of BYU's accounting faculty. Several faculty members have contributed significantly to the program's development, including Professor Ted Christensen's initiation of a course in 2005 that introduces students to financial accounting research and instructs them on the basics of the widely used SAS programming language. Several other faculty members make regular voluntary contributions of time and energy by visiting the Ph.D. Prep seminar, hosting academic research readings sessions, and mentoring students. As of the Fall of 2024, the leadership of the Ph.D. Prep track consists of Professors Doug Prawitt and Brant Christensen.

The primary objective of the Ph.D. prep track program is to provide students with an excellent pre-Ph.D. preparation. Our preparation objectives are concentrated in four areas:

# Provide an excellent quantitative preparation through coursework:
## Mathematical foundation (differential and integral calculus, matrix math)
## Theoretical statistics (mathematical statistics, distributions, probability theory)
## Applied statistics (hypothesis testing, statistical tests, general linear model, experimental design, econometrics, statistical software, etc.)
# Provide a foundational understanding of and experience with academic research:
## Introduction to Academic Research Seminar (Acc. 516--introduction to the scientific method and the philosophy of science, development of research questions, academic writing, research paradigms and methods, etc.)
## Participation in 1 credit-hour academic research readings seminars led by Professor Ted Christensen (for financial research) and by volunteer faculty members every semester except when enrolled in Acc. 516.
## Active participation in faculty research workshops
## Research Assistantship (RA) with faculty member active in academic research, participating in meaningful research projects.
# Provide an introductory teaching experience:
## BYU
## UVSC
## BYU—Salt Lake Center
## Other opportunities
# Provide advice and guidance on preparing for and applying to a Ph.D. program:
## Regular meetings with Ph.D. Prep Track coordinator
## Establishment of a mentoring relationship with a faculty member (ideally through RA position), and informal, regular visits with other faculty members.
## Regular social events at Ph.D. Prep Track coordinator’s home to help create a strong group identity.

Ph.D. Prep Track alumni are also invited back to BYU to participate in the [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/soa/ School of Accountancy's] annual ''BYU Accounting Research Symposium.

<center><videoflash>NML-lqexseg|500|300</videoflash></center>
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{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[History of the Prep Track]]</small>
|}

Main Page

2024-12-30T17:35:11Z

Jeffrey9:

{|style="width:100%;background-color:#AFBBC9"
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[[Image:JonsHeader2.jpg |248 px|right|Header2]]
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{|width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#F6F5FA"
! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#001E4D;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">About the Ph.D. Prep Program</h2>
|-
|style="color:#000"|
<center></center>
BYU's [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/soa School of Accountancy] offers a specialized Ph.D. Prep Track as part of the Masters of Accountancy (MAcc) degree. The program is designed to prepare students to enroll in a Ph.D. program in accounting at another university after finishing their master’s degree. Students in both the five-year integrated program and the two-year graduate program are eligible to apply to the PhD Prep Track. The program involves Ph.D.-style seminars to learn about research and academic work, as well as coursework in mathematics, econometrics, and statistics. <div style="float:right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em;">[[Image:Infocircle.jpg|alt=Info|Info]]</div> Students who participated in this program have been highly successful in placing at research intensive Ph.D. programs. Those who complete their Ph.D. in accounting enter a field where there is [http://aaahq.org/temp/phd/AccountingFacultyUSCollegesUniv.pdf high demand], and it is projected that this will be the case for the foreseeable future. [[Life as a Professor#What do Accounting Professors get Paid?|Starting salaries]] for new professors in accounting are two to four times higher than starting salaries for MAcc graduates.
Learn more about the Prep Track by reading the [[History of the Prep Track]].
|-

! <h2 style="margin:0;background:#001E4D;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">The BYU Accounting Community</h2>
|-
|You can now see a list of BYU Ph.D. Prep students, current accounting doctoral students, current BYU accounting faculty, and current accounting faculty of other institutions who have ties to BYU by going to [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NnQOJmLHoHsMJvMnft7YQcaolAdiMoqdreB53FqKito/edit?usp=sharing BYU Alumni and Friends].
|-

|}
|class="MainPageBG" style="width:25%;border:1px solid #E4E7EA;background-color:#F6F5FA;vertical-align:top"|
{| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#F6F5FA"
! <h2 style="margin:0;background-color:#AFBBC9;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #a3b0bf;text-align:left;color:#001E4D;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Announcements</h2>
|-
|style="color:#000"|

'''* Check out the new website [https://www.techhub.training/ TechHub.training] to improve your data analytic skills.

|-
{| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#F6F5FA;text-align:center"
!colspan="2"|<h2 style="margin:0;background:#001E4D;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Deciding if a Ph.D. is for you?</h2>
|-
|style="color:#000;text-align:left" colspan="2"|If you've decided to pursue a Ph.D., it is important to know what is ahead of you. In accounting, and many other disciplines, a doctoral degree is required to work as a university professor. Professors split their time between doing research and teaching students. They enjoy flexibility and satisfaction while striving to make a difference in the world. The following links will help you understand a career in academia and what to expect.
|-
|[[Image:DoctoralStudents.jpg|none|100px|center|link=Life as a Doctoral Student|Life as a Doctoral Student]]||[[Image:Professor1.jpg|none|100px|center|link=Life as a Professor|Life as a Professor]]
|-
|[[Life as a Doctoral Student]]||[[Life as a Professor]]
|-
|[[Image:Application.jpg|none|100px|center|link=Applying to a Ph.D. Program|Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]||[[Image:Preparetosucceed.jpg|none|100px|center|link=Preparing for a Doctoral Program|Preparing for a Doctoral Program]]
|-
|[[Applying to a Ph.D. Program]]||[[Preparing for a Doctoral Program]]
|-
|[[Image:Research1.jpg|none|100px|center|link=What is accounting research?|What is Accounting Research?]]||[[Image:GMAT.jpg|none|100px|center|link=The GMAT|The GMAT]]
|-
|[[What is accounting research?|What is Accounting Research?]]||[[The GMAT]]
|}

{| width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="5" style="vertical-align:top;background-color:#F6F5FA;text-align:center"
!colspan="2"|<h2 style="margin:0;background:#001E4D;font-size:120%;font-weight:bold;border:1px solid #258;text-align:left;color:#fff;padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Advice, Suggestions, and Resources</h2>
|-
|style="color:#000;text-align:left" colspan="2"|This site is meant to provide useful advice, suggestions, and resources for all users, whether interested in a Ph.D. or already in a doctoral program. Information is separated by topical area:
|-
|[[Image:diploma.jpg|none|100px|link=Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A|Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]]||[[Image:curve.jpg|none|100px|link=Research|Research]]
|-
|[[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]]||[[Research]]
|-
|[[Image:professor.jpg|none|100px|link=Teaching and Service|Teaching and Service]]||
|-
|[[Teaching and Service]]

|-
|}

__NOTOC__ __NOEDITSECTION__

What is the best way to manage the review process?

2024-12-29T06:06:36Z

Jeffrey9: /* Introduction */

==Managing the Review Process – Advice for the Accounting Academic==

===Overview===

The review process is an important tool that you can use to improve your research, and it is the pathway to publications in academic journals; therefore, it needs to be carefully managed. Although there are unfortunate exceptions, the review report(s) and comments from the editor reflect a detailed and critical reading of your paper by objective (and often very smart) 3rd parties, and so their advice should be very carefully considered. This often takes time. Seeking the advice of senior colleagues is very helpful. If the editor allows a resubmission then you should prepare a detailed response to both the review report(s) and the editorial’s suggestions. Be courteous. Even if the paper is rejected, the comments are still often useful, and should be carefully considered before you send the paper elsewhere.

===Introduction===

The review process is a critical component of our academic system. Editors and reviewers play a key role as gatekeepers over what gets admitted into the accounting literature. A poor paper that is accepted can be very embarrassing to those involved; therefore, editors and reviewers are rigorous and will err on the side of rejecting a paper. Top journals typically have an acceptance rate of around 10%.

An accepted paper is a form of academic currency, and without accepted papers (especially at top journals), you will not get tenure. This means that the review process is also emotionally difficult as well as intellectually challenging. Success at this game requires hard work and persistence.

While this article is focused on managing the review process, note that the review process is intimately connected with the overall management of your research project. Don’t take on a project when you can’t see a clear path to your targeted range of journals. Never send a paper for review that has not been read by anyone other than you and your co-author. Have some colleagues read it and give you critical feedback; these can be individuals at your current university, and faculty you know from your PhD as well as colleagues you meet at conferences, etc. Ideally, you should submit the paper to one or more conferences to get some exposure for it. Conference participants will likely not give your paper a detailed read, but the discussant probably will, and the act of presenting paper will sometimes reveal flaws that should be fixed before you submit the paper for review. Tell friends at other schools that you have a new research paper that you’d love to present at their workshop sometime…maybe they can fit you in. Post the paper on SSRN when it’s in good shape. An editor who recognizes your name will be more favorably disposed to your submission, and a paper free of obvious mistakes is more likely to be carefully read.

Your writing should be as clear and succinct as possible. A great idea, even with fabulous statistics, will be quickly overshadowed by poor exposition. If you read over the paper and find yourself saying “the reader will figure things out by the end of the paper,” it is very likely that the reviewer will not bother to reach the end of the paper. Make it as easy as possible for your reader to understand why your paper is important, and what your key results are...in the introduction, so the editor and reviewers don’t have to go hunting for it. Papers that are convoluted, repetitive, or have grammatical errors suggest sloppy thinking; the reviewer will react accordingly. Finally, some have the rule of thumb to keep the text down to under 30 double-spaced pages; longer papers are less likely to get a careful and thorough read. Another signal of good research that reviewers will appreciate is to include (usually in the conclusion) some discussion of possible limitations of the paper, and where possible future lines of inquiry might exist. Papers that pretend to be flawless, or the complete and final word on a topic, are likely to be found wanting.

When you submit the paper, include a brief cover letter that points out the highlights of the paper (most importantly, why it is interesting and what it adds to the literature). Editors are busy, and they want you tell them why they should consider publishing your paper. Once your paper is in review, my advice is not to ask the editor about its status unless the review is seriously late (at least one month overdue, and more likely two, based on the review times that the journal publishes). If you do ask about the status of paper, do so pleasantly. Reviewers are often busy, and they won’t take kindly to nagging.

===Responding to Various Editorial Decisions===

Read over the letter (typically an e-mail) carefully, and don’t send any quick response. Forward it to your co-author(s). If you need a break, do something else for a while. When you do return to the report, be sure to understand what is in it. Ask a senior colleague to read it over and give you advice.

====A “Revise and Resubmit”====

If the decision is positive (typically a “revise and resubmit” – where the editor will allow you to make revisions following the editor’s and the reviewers’ comments and resubmit the paper), be sure to read the reports in detail. Cut-and-paste the editor’s comments and the review reports into a Word file where you can easily write in your response to them. This file can also serve to hold your initial thoughts as you think about each point, and if you have a co-author, it can be useful to pass this file back-and-forth as you both think about how to respond. If at all possible within a reasonable time frame, do what they ask. Ultimately, you will want a document that gives a detailed response to each point raised by the editor and the reviewer. You will want to be concise and deliberate here. The editor and reviewer have invested time and effort into improving your work, and if you ignore, sidestep, or discount their comments, they will not be pleased. Spell check. If they’ve made a typo in their verbiage to you, fix it without comment. Thank them for their efforts. If you can do so, try to add more to the paper than the reviewer and editor explicitly asked for. You don’t want to submit a completely different paper, but you do want to make it as easy as possible for the editor and reviewer to be impressed with your work.

You may disagree with what the editor and reviewer want; if so, explain why you think your approach is better (or, in some cases, why what they want can’t be done or would be incorrect), and be pleasant about it. If at all possible, put the results to what they wanted in a supplementary table that you can include in your response when you resubmit the paper. Remember, your name is going on the paper if it is published, so you are ultimately responsible for it. Having a senior colleague read over your revision and your response to the editor and review can be very helpful before you return it to the journal, because you don’t want to miss anything.

A typical turn-around time for a revise and resubmit is 2-3 months. If you anticipate the revisions will take longer, a quick note to the editor might be in order so that he knows you are still pursuing the project.

====A Rejection====

Rejections are, unfortunately, much more common in our profession. Take a longer break before you revisit a rejection. You will not want to simply throw the review report and editor comments away, because they often contain useful information. If you believe the comments have some quality, sending a brief thank you to the editor is often appropriate (e.g., “although of course I would have preferred a different outcome, I was pleased to see the thoughtful comments you and the reviewer have made. If possible, could you thank the reviewer for his efforts?”). We live in a small world as accounting academics, and if you are rude in a response to an editor, it will come back to haunt you. Don’t respond if you can’t think of anything nice to say.

You should spend some time thinking about why the paper was rejected. Sometimes your paper might have been scooped by another recent paper, and you will need to consider whether you can redirect your paper into another interesting area where it could be publishable (or, at least, you should determine if you can explain why the earlier paper doesn’t trump your results). Often the editor or reviewer might believe the marginal contribution is too small. These can be difficult problems to overcome. If you can’t convincingly explain why the results of the paper are important, it may be time to either drop the project or send it to a lower-tier journal. Sometimes it might be a “taste” issue – where the editor or reviewer just doesn’t like the topic (or perhaps your approach to the topic). In these cases, you can often send the paper to another peer journal, because tastes vary between editors (but see below: you should still consider improving the paper before sending it elsewhere). Advice and feedback from a senior colleague can be very helpful when receiving rejection. They have experienced the same thing – multiple times – so they can relate and can offer useful feedback.

It can be emotionally pleasing to be hyper-critical as you read the review report on a rejection, and therefore easy to be dismissive. But even in a bad review, there are often nuggets of insight that you can draw upon. You don’t need to make a detailed response to the review or editor comments, but you should read things over carefully to glean what you can. For example, the reviewer might find fault with your particular statistical methodology. This suggests that in the next revision you should at least consider using a better methodology (or adding a robustness check to show that the methodology the review wanted won’t change anything).

Sometimes the editor or reviewer will have a completely different take on how you should approach a topic, and they may recommend massive changes to the paper. If their comments are off-the-cuff, or otherwise not well thought out, be prepared to ignore them or consider them as ideas for a new and different paper.

A bad review can also be a signal that your paper was poorly written or not well motivated, because if you can’t explain why your paper is interesting, why should a reviewer or editor put much time into evaluating it? Also, if your topic was not clearly spelled out, or if the relationship with prior work was not established, the editor may have struggled to think of who might best review the paper. An editor will not read the paper in detail to hunt down this information, so you should help him out by getting to these critical points quickly and clearly in your paper.

It may be tempting to send the paper off to another journal without revisions. Consider carefully before doing so. Is there really nothing that could be done to improve the paper? A hastily resubmitted paper can cost you. I had a colleague recognize a badly written paper from a prior review a year or two ago for a different journal. The author had made no effort whatsoever to improve the paper, and the editor’s response to the author was not pleasant.

In rare cases you may feel that you should object to the rejection. Some journals have a formal process for this; with others, the process is informal. Before you challenge a rejection, be sure you can clearly, nicely, and objectively state why the decision was wrong. Even then, I have rarely seen objections result in a useful outcome. In my opinion, it is a waste of time (and sometimes money) to object to a rejection which involves the editor’s opinion. If you believe you have an airtight case (everyone, recite together…) ask a senior colleague for advice before continuing.

====Acceptance and Conditional Acceptance====

These are happy things. However, even with a conditional acceptance (where the editor agrees to publish your paper provided you can fulfill a short list of his requests), you should still respond carefully to what he has asked you to do. Be sure to provide a detailed response to his requests, and do them as quickly as you can while still being thorough.

===Closing Comments===

There’s nothing quite like reading the words “I am pleased to accept your paper for publication in the….” Prior rejections can make this all the more sweeter. Persistence is a well-rewarded quality in our profession. While you should be prepared to drop projects that clearly aren’t going anywhere, you should also stick to projects that make worthwhile contributions to the literature. Ball & Brown (1968) was rejected by a top accounting journal (it wasn’t accounting research to the editor at the time). Feltham and Ohlson (1995) was also rejected before being published. So, if your paper is rejected, it is in good company!

You will also likely be a reviewer at some point in your career. If you felt you were treated unfairly by the review process, it may be tempting to “dish it out” to some other poor shmuck. While you should be objective and rigorous, you should also be nice. Your goal as a reviewer should be to improve the quality of the research (and, if you can, help another struggling academic with some good feedback and advice!).

==Other Helpful Tips==
'''Where to send papers?'''

Different schools have different expectations for achieving tenure and receiving annual merit pay. Often, the schools will have a "journal rankings" list to give you some idea of the relative value of publishing in a particular journal. My own philosophy is that I should never work on an idea that doesn't have at least some chance at a top-tier journal. Then if it gets rejected, then I can decide if it is worth the effort to move it to a different top-tier journal after revising the paper or to move it down to the next level journal.

'''Showing Incremental Contribution: A Goal of the Reviewing Process'''

In my opinion, most manuscripts get rejected because of a lack of incremental contribution. The research design may be adequate, the data and research question interesting, and appropriate inferences can be made. But somehow, even after all that, the question is why are we in a better position because of this manuscript? Why will I think about the world differently now because of this paper? Therefore, a goal of the reviewing process is to heavily promote your incremental contribution to the literature.

'''Receipt of Revise and Resubmit Recommendation'''

First of all, say a prayer of thanks for getting past a major hurdle. Once the prayer is over, it is time to get to work! Focus on those items that will take some major effort (e.g., additional data collection and analysis, review of different research stream, etc.). Once those are addressed, focus on the smaller issues. Address each and every point in the revision in a thorough way. Then write a response to reviewers that provides a point-by-point response to each question. Authors are usually given one year to revise the paper. I like to return the paper in 3-4 months to show that I am able to quickly and completely respond with a complete revision.

Sometimes it does not make sense to revise the paper. Are the reviewers asking you to do something nearly impossible? Or do the results of your paper go away after some robustness checks. you must continually assess if a satisfactory revision will be able to be done. Sometimes it will take less effort or you may have a better chance of getting this article published with a different reviewer team at a different journal.

'''How to Handle Rejection'''

For most top-tier journals, the rejection rate is above 90%. Knowing this base rate, even the most accomplished authors can expect that their manuscript will be rejected. While frustrating, one should take the opportunity to learn why the reviewers did not extend an opportunity to revise the paper. Was it a lack of incremental contribution? Was it a research design flaw or error? Was it due to a lack of motivation? How can you use this knowledge to your advantage in a subsequent paper?
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Research]] ► [[What is the best way to manage the review process?]]</small>
|}

What is the best way to manage the review process?

2024-12-29T06:04:33Z

Jeffrey9: /* Introduction */

==Managing the Review Process – Advice for the Accounting Academic==

===Overview===

The review process is an important tool that you can use to improve your research, and it is the pathway to publications in academic journals; therefore, it needs to be carefully managed. Although there are unfortunate exceptions, the review report(s) and comments from the editor reflect a detailed and critical reading of your paper by objective (and often very smart) 3rd parties, and so their advice should be very carefully considered. This often takes time. Seeking the advice of senior colleagues is very helpful. If the editor allows a resubmission then you should prepare a detailed response to both the review report(s) and the editorial’s suggestions. Be courteous. Even if the paper is rejected, the comments are still often useful, and should be carefully considered before you send the paper elsewhere.

===Introduction===

The review process is a critical component of our academic system. Editors and reviewers play a key role as gatekeepers over what gets admitted into the accounting literature. A poor paper that is accepted can be very embarrassing to those involved; therefore, editors and reviewers are rigorous and will err on the side of rejecting a paper. Top journals typically have an acceptance rate of around 10%.

An accepted paper is a form of academic currency, and without accepted papers (especially at top journals), you will not get tenure. This means that the review process is also emotionally difficult as well as intellectually challenging. Success at this game requires hard work and persistence.

While this article is focused on managing the review process, note that the review process is intimately connected with the overall management of your research project. Don’t take on a project when you can’t see a clear path to your targeted range of journals. Never send a paper for review that has not been read by anyone other than you and your co-author. Have some colleagues read it and give you critical feedback; these can be individuals at your current university, and faculty you know from your PhD as well as colleagues you meet at conferences, etc. Ideally, you should submit the paper to one or more conferences to get some exposure for it. Conference participants will likely not give your paper a detailed read, but the discussant probably will, and the act of presenting paper will sometimes reveal flaws that should be fixed before you submit the paper for review. Tell friends at other schools that you have a new research paper that you’d love to present at their workshop sometime…maybe they can fit you in. Post the paper on SSRN when it’s in good shape. An editor who recognizes your name will be more favorably disposed to your submission, and a paper free of obvious mistakes is more likely to be carefully read.

Your writing should be as clear and succinct as possible. A great idea, even with fabulous statistics, will be quickly overshadowed by poor exposition. If you read over the paper and find yourself saying “the reader will figure things out by the end of the paper,” it is very likely that the reviewer will not bother to reach the end of the paper. Make it as easy as possible for your reader to understand why your paper is important, and what your key results are...in the introduction, so the editor and reviewers don’t have to go hunting for it. Papers that are convoluted, repetitive, or have grammatical errors suggest sloppy thinking; the reviewer will react accordingly. Finally, my personal rule of thumb is to keep the text down to under 30 double-spaced pages; longer papers are less likely to get a careful and thorough read. Another signal of good research that reviewers will appreciate is to include (usually in the conclusion) some discussion of possible limitations of the paper, and where possible future lines of inquiry might exist. Papers that pretend to be flawless, or the complete and final word on a topic, are likely to be found wanting.

When you submit the paper, include a brief cover letter that points out the highlights of the paper (most importantly, why it is interesting and what it adds to the literature). Editors are busy, and they want you tell them why they should consider publishing your paper. Once your paper is in review, my advice is not to ask the editor about its status unless the review is seriously late (at least one month overdue, and more likely two, based on the review times that the journal publishes). If you do ask about the status of paper, do so pleasantly. Reviewers are often busy, and they won’t take kindly to nagging.

===Responding to Various Editorial Decisions===

Read over the letter (typically an e-mail) carefully, and don’t send any quick response. Forward it to your co-author(s). If you need a break, do something else for a while. When you do return to the report, be sure to understand what is in it. Ask a senior colleague to read it over and give you advice.

====A “Revise and Resubmit”====

If the decision is positive (typically a “revise and resubmit” – where the editor will allow you to make revisions following the editor’s and the reviewers’ comments and resubmit the paper), be sure to read the reports in detail. Cut-and-paste the editor’s comments and the review reports into a Word file where you can easily write in your response to them. This file can also serve to hold your initial thoughts as you think about each point, and if you have a co-author, it can be useful to pass this file back-and-forth as you both think about how to respond. If at all possible within a reasonable time frame, do what they ask. Ultimately, you will want a document that gives a detailed response to each point raised by the editor and the reviewer. You will want to be concise and deliberate here. The editor and reviewer have invested time and effort into improving your work, and if you ignore, sidestep, or discount their comments, they will not be pleased. Spell check. If they’ve made a typo in their verbiage to you, fix it without comment. Thank them for their efforts. If you can do so, try to add more to the paper than the reviewer and editor explicitly asked for. You don’t want to submit a completely different paper, but you do want to make it as easy as possible for the editor and reviewer to be impressed with your work.

You may disagree with what the editor and reviewer want; if so, explain why you think your approach is better (or, in some cases, why what they want can’t be done or would be incorrect), and be pleasant about it. If at all possible, put the results to what they wanted in a supplementary table that you can include in your response when you resubmit the paper. Remember, your name is going on the paper if it is published, so you are ultimately responsible for it. Having a senior colleague read over your revision and your response to the editor and review can be very helpful before you return it to the journal, because you don’t want to miss anything.

A typical turn-around time for a revise and resubmit is 2-3 months. If you anticipate the revisions will take longer, a quick note to the editor might be in order so that he knows you are still pursuing the project.

====A Rejection====

Rejections are, unfortunately, much more common in our profession. Take a longer break before you revisit a rejection. You will not want to simply throw the review report and editor comments away, because they often contain useful information. If you believe the comments have some quality, sending a brief thank you to the editor is often appropriate (e.g., “although of course I would have preferred a different outcome, I was pleased to see the thoughtful comments you and the reviewer have made. If possible, could you thank the reviewer for his efforts?”). We live in a small world as accounting academics, and if you are rude in a response to an editor, it will come back to haunt you. Don’t respond if you can’t think of anything nice to say.

You should spend some time thinking about why the paper was rejected. Sometimes your paper might have been scooped by another recent paper, and you will need to consider whether you can redirect your paper into another interesting area where it could be publishable (or, at least, you should determine if you can explain why the earlier paper doesn’t trump your results). Often the editor or reviewer might believe the marginal contribution is too small. These can be difficult problems to overcome. If you can’t convincingly explain why the results of the paper are important, it may be time to either drop the project or send it to a lower-tier journal. Sometimes it might be a “taste” issue – where the editor or reviewer just doesn’t like the topic (or perhaps your approach to the topic). In these cases, you can often send the paper to another peer journal, because tastes vary between editors (but see below: you should still consider improving the paper before sending it elsewhere). Advice and feedback from a senior colleague can be very helpful when receiving rejection. They have experienced the same thing – multiple times – so they can relate and can offer useful feedback.

It can be emotionally pleasing to be hyper-critical as you read the review report on a rejection, and therefore easy to be dismissive. But even in a bad review, there are often nuggets of insight that you can draw upon. You don’t need to make a detailed response to the review or editor comments, but you should read things over carefully to glean what you can. For example, the reviewer might find fault with your particular statistical methodology. This suggests that in the next revision you should at least consider using a better methodology (or adding a robustness check to show that the methodology the review wanted won’t change anything).

Sometimes the editor or reviewer will have a completely different take on how you should approach a topic, and they may recommend massive changes to the paper. If their comments are off-the-cuff, or otherwise not well thought out, be prepared to ignore them or consider them as ideas for a new and different paper.

A bad review can also be a signal that your paper was poorly written or not well motivated, because if you can’t explain why your paper is interesting, why should a reviewer or editor put much time into evaluating it? Also, if your topic was not clearly spelled out, or if the relationship with prior work was not established, the editor may have struggled to think of who might best review the paper. An editor will not read the paper in detail to hunt down this information, so you should help him out by getting to these critical points quickly and clearly in your paper.

It may be tempting to send the paper off to another journal without revisions. Consider carefully before doing so. Is there really nothing that could be done to improve the paper? A hastily resubmitted paper can cost you. I had a colleague recognize a badly written paper from a prior review a year or two ago for a different journal. The author had made no effort whatsoever to improve the paper, and the editor’s response to the author was not pleasant.

In rare cases you may feel that you should object to the rejection. Some journals have a formal process for this; with others, the process is informal. Before you challenge a rejection, be sure you can clearly, nicely, and objectively state why the decision was wrong. Even then, I have rarely seen objections result in a useful outcome. In my opinion, it is a waste of time (and sometimes money) to object to a rejection which involves the editor’s opinion. If you believe you have an airtight case (everyone, recite together…) ask a senior colleague for advice before continuing.

====Acceptance and Conditional Acceptance====

These are happy things. However, even with a conditional acceptance (where the editor agrees to publish your paper provided you can fulfill a short list of his requests), you should still respond carefully to what he has asked you to do. Be sure to provide a detailed response to his requests, and do them as quickly as you can while still being thorough.

===Closing Comments===

There’s nothing quite like reading the words “I am pleased to accept your paper for publication in the….” Prior rejections can make this all the more sweeter. Persistence is a well-rewarded quality in our profession. While you should be prepared to drop projects that clearly aren’t going anywhere, you should also stick to projects that make worthwhile contributions to the literature. Ball & Brown (1968) was rejected by a top accounting journal (it wasn’t accounting research to the editor at the time). Feltham and Ohlson (1995) was also rejected before being published. So, if your paper is rejected, it is in good company!

You will also likely be a reviewer at some point in your career. If you felt you were treated unfairly by the review process, it may be tempting to “dish it out” to some other poor shmuck. While you should be objective and rigorous, you should also be nice. Your goal as a reviewer should be to improve the quality of the research (and, if you can, help another struggling academic with some good feedback and advice!).

==Other Helpful Tips==
'''Where to send papers?'''

Different schools have different expectations for achieving tenure and receiving annual merit pay. Often, the schools will have a "journal rankings" list to give you some idea of the relative value of publishing in a particular journal. My own philosophy is that I should never work on an idea that doesn't have at least some chance at a top-tier journal. Then if it gets rejected, then I can decide if it is worth the effort to move it to a different top-tier journal after revising the paper or to move it down to the next level journal.

'''Showing Incremental Contribution: A Goal of the Reviewing Process'''

In my opinion, most manuscripts get rejected because of a lack of incremental contribution. The research design may be adequate, the data and research question interesting, and appropriate inferences can be made. But somehow, even after all that, the question is why are we in a better position because of this manuscript? Why will I think about the world differently now because of this paper? Therefore, a goal of the reviewing process is to heavily promote your incremental contribution to the literature.

'''Receipt of Revise and Resubmit Recommendation'''

First of all, say a prayer of thanks for getting past a major hurdle. Once the prayer is over, it is time to get to work! Focus on those items that will take some major effort (e.g., additional data collection and analysis, review of different research stream, etc.). Once those are addressed, focus on the smaller issues. Address each and every point in the revision in a thorough way. Then write a response to reviewers that provides a point-by-point response to each question. Authors are usually given one year to revise the paper. I like to return the paper in 3-4 months to show that I am able to quickly and completely respond with a complete revision.

Sometimes it does not make sense to revise the paper. Are the reviewers asking you to do something nearly impossible? Or do the results of your paper go away after some robustness checks. you must continually assess if a satisfactory revision will be able to be done. Sometimes it will take less effort or you may have a better chance of getting this article published with a different reviewer team at a different journal.

'''How to Handle Rejection'''

For most top-tier journals, the rejection rate is above 90%. Knowing this base rate, even the most accomplished authors can expect that their manuscript will be rejected. While frustrating, one should take the opportunity to learn why the reviewers did not extend an opportunity to revise the paper. Was it a lack of incremental contribution? Was it a research design flaw or error? Was it due to a lack of motivation? How can you use this knowledge to your advantage in a subsequent paper?
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What kind of research grants are available?

2024-12-29T05:57:57Z

Jeffrey9:

Below are some research grants available. As you find additional sources of funding, please update the list.

* [https://www.theiia.org/en/internal-audit-foundation/about-the-internal-audit-foundation/grants-and-awards/ IIA Grants], Available to students and faculty studying internal auditing
* [https://www.iaaer.org/research/research-grants IAAER Grants], Grants covering financial and auditing topics;
* [https://www.thecaq.org/research-grants Center for Audit Quality], Available to support research in auditing
* [http://www.pwc.com/us/en/faculty-resource/inquires-request-for-proposals.jhtml PwC INQuires Program], grants to encourage data analytics curriculum development

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What kind of research grants are available?

2024-12-29T05:31:26Z

Jeffrey9:

Below are some research grants available. As you find additional sources of funding, please update the list.

* [http://www.theiia.org/research/submit-a-proposal/scholarships-and-grants/esther-r-sawyer-scholarship-award/ Esther R. Sawyer Grant], Available to graduate students studying internal auditing, Deadline for application - March 1;
* [http://www.iaaer.org/research/KPMG_Round3.htm KPMG Grant], Available to both undergraduates and graduates studying internal auditing;
* [http://fars.org/CAQ2010.pdf Center for Audit Quality], Available to support research in auditing, Deadline for application - March 1
* [http://www.pwc.com/us/en/faculty-resource/inquires-request-for-proposals.jhtml PwC INQuires Program], Deadline for application - Mid February

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How can I get some research going before my Ph.D. program?

2024-12-29T05:31:09Z

Jeffrey9:

You should not be too worried about getting your name connected to working papers before a Ph.D. program. If the opportunity presents itself, then take it, but don't lose any sleep over not having a working paper (or more) when you enter a Ph.D. program.

If you really want to get started on a research paper, find a professor who does research in the area in which you are interested. See if you can help the professor with a research project. To help means you do whatever he/she asks extremely well, without complaining, and without expecting to be a coauthor. Most of the time, this means you are collecting data. If you do a good job on one, or a series of projects, the professor may be inclined to coauthor with you on another project.

You should not expect a professor to be willing to put you as a coauthor on a paper just because you helped out. Being a coauthor requires a significant contribution of time, thought, and ability to a paper. Also remember, that before you start working on a Ph.D. you have limited skills and ability to conduct rigorous academic research. Therefore, your main asset is to put a lot of time into the research process. Your one hour of work is not equivalent to one hour of a professor's time, and therefore you should not expect to be putting in a 1 to 1 ratio of time with the professor if you are going to be a coauthor (this is true even as a new Ph.D. working with senior level colleagues). This applies if you are just trying to ride on the coat-tails of a professor's good ideas. The game changes a bit if you come up with the idea, and present it to a professor. In all stages of your education (at BYU and beyond), if you approach faculty with well thought out and looked into ideas, even if they are not successful in the end, it will let the faculty know you are intrinsically interested in research and they will be more inclined to let you help them with one of their ideas.

At some Ph.D. programs, you may do the same work you would do as a coauthor at BYU as a non-coauthored research assistant. Individual professors and programs have different ideas as to what is sufficient to merit coauthorship--especially of Ph.D. students. You may want to consider this factor when applying to Ph.D. programs. It may even happen that individuals believe you were "given" a coauthorship while at BYU. The best way to demonstrate that this is not the case is to work on successful projects early on in your Ph.D. program with non-BYU people.

Before you start your Ph.D. program you might consider trying to coauthor a simple piece of research. You may not want to target a top-tier journal with your first piece of research, but instead try to replicate an important study and shed a small bit of new insight into what the paper did or some small way the paper changed. Being exposed to the research process at any level (even if it is not a top tier article level) will benefit you significantly in your Ph.D. program.

There are, however, several things to consider when thinking about this. First, if you target a lower tiered journal with lesser quality work, is it going to help you, or hurt you? The answer to this question is debatable. It may not help you if you apply to a school that does not value that type of research (and there is some possibility it could hurt you). One could safely say that if the professors at the university where you are applying sometimes produce the level of research you are intending to produce, they could never fault you for it.

For example, if you started working on what you thought was an amazing project, hoping to publish it in a journal perceived to be of low quality (call it Journal LQ), a school (call them school #1) might look down and say, "Wow, is that all this kid can produce? Is this the kind of research s/he wants to do forever?" However, another school (school #2) might say "Wow, this student is really a go getter. He is engaging in research as an undergraduate, is learning the process, and while he might not be producing amazing stuff now, with that kind of background and with our training, he will be amazing." These two reactions are both possible. Some individuals report hearing esteemed faculty at "great" schools saying, essentially, "You don't want your name associated with trashy papers, even if they get published in OK journals." Either way, it may be unwise to make your research "experience" the center piece of your application letter to school.

If you are intrinsically interested in the research process, and don't want to worry about any of the considerations above, you have several choices. First, just do amazing research at BYU. There have been track members who have done this--been a part of articles which hit top journals. Second, submit your lesser articles to non-accounting journals, like a general business journal. Third, don't submit your articles anywhere, and just use them as the basis for a great learning experience as part of a Econ 388 or 588 project. The knowledge you develop from working on any project (even a 388 or 588 project) will greatly help you as you work on research in the future.
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How can I build my research pipeline while in my Ph.D. program?

2024-12-29T05:30:04Z

Jeffrey9: /* Selecting from a List of Ideas */

==Brainstorming Ideas==
One idea is to apply Elder Scott's approach to receiving revelation; carry a note card and write down any thoughts and ideas that might come to you during the day.

Another way to come up with ideas for research topics to fill the pipeline is to follow the advice of Brian Tracy, a professional sales trainer. Anytime a pressing issue is facing you, sit down and write a question at the top of a sheet of paper. Then, write down 20 ideas to answer that question. Some of the ideas may be the opposite of a previous idea; i.e. one idea might be to study how pro forma statements affect the behavior of investors, the opposite would be how pro forma earnings does not affect the behavior of investors. Usually the first several ideas will come easily, but it is usually the last two or three ideas that will be the best and can solve a question at the top of the page. Do this every day and eventually you will have so many great research ideas that you will not have enough time to do research on all of the great ideas you have come up with.

Have an effective brainstorming session with colleagues who are co-authoring with you on a project. Spend 45 minutes to an hour coming up with ideas. Every idea mentioned is written down. The longer the list of ideas the better. It is usually the last few ideas that will solve a problem better than any other solution. No one is allowed to comment on ideas that have been made because the purpose is to come up with ideas, no matter how stupid or ineffective an idea might seem.

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Where can I find data?

2024-12-29T05:08:38Z

Jeffrey9:

Researchers obtain data in one of two ways: they either create their own data or collect data from prior events.

'''Creating Data:''' Most researchers in this category obtain their data by conducting controlled experiments. Researchers can control the nature of the data they obtain through the design of the experiment. Survey work, interviews, and field studies are also forms of data creation.

'''Collecting Data:''' This form of data acquisition is generally referred to as “archival data.” Researchers often access archival data through databases such as Compustat, Audit Analytics, etc. Most research universities have access to a variety of databases. Researchers sometimes obtain archival data by hand-collecting information from public sources, such as companies’ filings with the SEC or firm-issued press releases. Finally, researchers sometimes obtain archival data through private sources. Organizations sometimes release proprietary data for researcher purposes, but this type of data is usually difficult to obtain without some inside connection to the desired organization.
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Research

2024-12-29T05:06:11Z

Jeffrey9:

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* [[What is accounting research?#Accounting Research Topical Areas|What do accounting professors research?]]
* [[Where can I find data?]]
* [[How do I find good co-authors?]]
* [[How do I publish lots of papers?]]
* [[What kind of research grants are available?]]
* [[What should I expect when I go on the road with my dissertation?]]

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* [[How do I determine my dissertation topic?]]
* [[How can I build my research pipeline while in my Ph.D. program?]]
* [[How can I get some research going before my Ph.D. program?]]
* [[What is the best way to manage the review process?]]
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Research

2024-12-29T05:05:45Z

Jeffrey9:

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* [[What is accounting research?#Accounting Research Topical Areas|What do accounting professors research?]]
* [[Where can I find data?]]
* [[How do I find good co-authors?]]
* [[How do I publish lots of papers?]]
* [[What kind of research grants are available?]]
* [[What should I expect when I go on the road with my dissertation?]]

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* [[How do I determine my dissertation topic?]]
* [[How can I build my research pipeline while in my Ph.D. program?]]
* [[How can I get some research going before my Ph.D. program?]]
* [[What is the best way to manage the review process?]}
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Research

2024-12-29T04:57:58Z

Jeffrey9:

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* [[What is accounting research?#Accounting Research Topical Areas|What do accounting professors research?]]
* [[Where can I find data?]]
* [[How do I find good co-authors?]]
* [[How do I publish lots of papers?]]
* [[What kind of research grants are available?]]
* [[What should I expect when I go on the road with my dissertation?]]

|-align="left"
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* [[How do I determine my dissertation topic?]]
* [[How can I build my research pipeline while in my Ph.D. program?]]
* [[How can I get some research going before my Ph.D. program?]]
* [[What is the best way to manage the review process?]]}
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What Ph.D. program should I attend?

2024-12-28T22:07:31Z

Jeffrey9:

There are several important factors to consider when deciding which program to attend. The most important factor is to decide what you want to do in your career. Different schools highlight the importance of researching versus teaching. If you have a strong desire to focus on one of those areas, you should go to a Ph.D. program that is strong in the area of your interest. If you want to have a balance of teaching and research, you should consider schools that value a balance between research and teaching. The answer to this question is the most important part of deciding which Ph.D. program is right for you.

Once you have decided what you want to do with your career, then the following suggestions will help you decide where to go.

* Gather as much information about different schools as you can. A good starting point is visiting each school's web page.

* Talk to people who have either been at a school or are currently at the school of interest. See [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NnQOJmLHoHsMJvMnft7YQcaolAdiMoqdreB53FqKito/edit?usp=sharing the BYU Friends and Alumni page] for help finding who has been where. Please be respectful of the time of the people you are contacting. Ph.D. students and faculty are busy so asking them questions that are already answered on the school's web page is wasting their time. Also, don't send out the same email to multiple people at the same school. Students and faculty talk and it looks bad for you to send out a form e-mail requesting information.

* Consider schools where other BYU students have not gone. Pre Ph.D. students tend to follow a herd mentality and don't give wide consideration to different schools.

* Determine what type of research you are interested in conducting. Certain schools do not support some [[What is accounting research?#Accounting Research Topical Areas|research methodologies]]. Make sure the schools you are considering do what you want to do.

* Consider which [[What is accounting research?#Accounting Research Topical Areas|topical area]] of research you are interested in examining. Do not expect to go to a school and convince professors to change the area of research they are focusing on to work on projects that interest you. You can expect them to continue working on what they find interesting and letting you work with them if they think you will be helpful to them.

After you have gathered information about schools that interest you, you will need to apply to these schools. Hopefully, you will get to visit several schools and find which one fits right. An important warning: while you may be tempted to go to the school other people consider "best," it is far more important that you feel comfortable and like where you will work. Several Ph.D. students have dropped out because they didn't fit with the school. Making sure you fit with the school is far more important than making sure you are at the school others consider the "best."

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How do I prepare for comprehensive exams?

2024-12-28T21:12:15Z

Jeffrey9:

At most Ph.D. programs, students are required to pass at least one comprehensive exam after finishing coursework and before starting the dissertation. This exam usually consists of testing a students knowledge of the literature and of research methodologies. Here are a few suggestions to make passing this exam easier.

* Prepare for the exam during your seminars. For each paper that you read, write a summary of the research question that is being addressed, how the question was addressed, and what are the major findings. This will save you a significant amount of time when you are studying as you will not have to go back and review each paper. After you discuss each paper, update your "what, why, how" to include any major discussion items from class.

* Volunteer to discuss the most difficult papers in each seminar. You are going to have to know the literature and by putting in the time to learn the most difficult papers earlier in the program, you will be better prepared for comps.

* Consider creating or using a framework to organize your papers. This can help you see the "big picture."
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Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A

2024-12-28T21:10:51Z

Jeffrey9:

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* [[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?]]
* [[Preparing_for_a_Doctoral_Program#Should I work in industry before getting a Ph.D.?|Should I work in industry before getting a Ph.D.?]]
* [[Life as a Doctoral Student|What is life like as a doctoral student?]]
* [[Life as a Professor|What is life like as an accounting professor?]]
* [[What is accounting research?]]
* [[Why I didn't get a Ph.D.]]
* [[What classes should I take?]]
* [[Life as a Professor#What do Accounting Professors get Paid?|How much do accounting professors make?]]
* [[Should I get a Ph.D. in a subject area other than accounting?]]
* [[Am I cutting off options by deciding to do the Prep Track?]]

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! style="background:#001E4D; color:white; height: 30px" | Ph.D. Prep Track Members- Preparing for Doctoral School
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* [[How do you succeed in a Ph.D. program?]]
* [[Preparing for a Doctoral Program#Preparing to Teach|Should I find a teaching opportunity before my Ph.D. program?]]
* [[Where can I find teaching opportunities?]]
* [https://faculty.marshall.usc.edu/Anthony-Marino/prin.htm Mathematics Review for Doctoral Students]
* [http://academicearth.org Free Lectures in Mathematics]
* [[How do I prepare for comprehensive exams?]]
* [[The CPA Exam|Should I take the CPA exam before entering a doctoral program?]]
* [[The GMAT|How should I prepare for the GMAT?]]
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! style="background:#001E4D; color:white; height: 30px" | Ph.D. Prep Track Members- Deciding on a School and Applying to a Doctoral Program
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* [[What Ph.D. program should I attend?]]
* [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program#Fly-outs|What should I expect when I visit a campus?]]
* [[How do I get into a research intensive PhD program?]]
* [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program#The Application Process|The Application Process]]

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Where can I find teaching opportunities?

2024-12-28T21:09:02Z

Jeffrey9:

While at BYU you have several options for teaching opportunities.
* Ask the PhD Prep Program Coordinator about teaching at the BYU - Salt Lake Center.
* Contact UVU. There have been a couple BYU students recently teach at UVU, teaching financial and managerial accounting, and business math.
* Contact Provo College. They pay less than UVU and require more preparation. Provo College is not accredited by the AACSB.
* Contact Ensign College

Sometimes schools will have needs outside of accounting. For example, past Ph.D. prep students have taught various math classes at Provo College.

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How do you succeed in a Ph.D. program?

2024-12-28T20:04:39Z

Jeffrey9: /* Other Useful Tips */

(article contributed by [[Porter, Jason |Jason Porter]])

===Introduction===
Success in a Ph.D. program can be broken down into many things, most of which you already know from your work on your undergraduate and masters degrees. The most important element is work, and lots of it. Add to that dedication and perseverance and I think you’ve got the three most important elements for success, especially when you think of success as simply graduating. Other elements might include thinking outside of the box, listening to your instructors, doing your homework and all of the other study skills that you have learned so well by this time in your academic careers.

But success in a Ph.D. program isn’t really measured in terms of simply getting your degree. And, contrary to popular belief, it isn’t really measured in terms of publications or working papers either. True success in a Ph.D. program comes from developing your skills as a researcher and as a teacher. This means both developing the skills to succeed in those areas and developing yourself as an individual, because you can’t succeed in academia without the ability to come up with new ideas and relate to people.

Unfortunately, there is no magic pill you can take that will turn you into a good researcher or a good teacher. It requires lots of work, lots of practice, and lots of mistakes. Even though we don’t like to fail, we learn from our mistakes in ways that no other form of education can teach us. Perhaps that’s why we are born in the first place: to make mistakes in a relatively secure environment so that we can learn and develop. But whether that’s the purpose of life or not, that’s exactly the purpose of a Ph.D. program. You are going to learn a bunch of material and techniques through classes and seminars, and you will have opportunities to practice what you have learned. You’ll make mistakes, lots of them, but that’s okay. Everyone expects Ph.D. students to make mistakes as they slowly learn to do research and to teach. As long as you learn from those mistakes, preferably after only one or two instances, you’re going to eventually succeed, both in the Ph.D. program and in your life as an academic.

With that said, I can’t provide you with a list of all the mistakes you could make and how to avoid them. In all honesty, I wouldn’t provide it even if I could. You wouldn’t get as much from it as actually experiencing it for yourself. What I do want to do, however, if provide you with some ideas for making your life in the Ph.D program easier, to reduce the chances that you will make mistakes that will jeopardize your goal of walking across that stage and being hooded by your advisor.

===Ideas for Making your Ph.D. Program Easier===

'''1. Choose the program that is right for you.'''
The first step is choosing which program you should to attend. The article on [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program#Selecting the Right Program|selecting the right program]] provides a number of important ideas to consider when you begin deciding which Ph.D. programs to apply for. I will add, however, one important factor that I think is missing: Make your decision a matter of prayer. Your choice will have important ramifications for you and your family, so you should get a confirmation that your logical choice is what the Lord wants for you. You will have far fewer problems if you start out in a place the Lord has prepared for you, than if you start somewhere else.

'''2. Study, study, study. '''
Many of us finish up the BYU Ph.D. prep track feeling pretty good about what we have learned. Because of that extra training, it is easy to go into your first set of classes thinking that you already know the material and can coast a little bit as you get started. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The classes at BYU are undergraduate or master’s level classes; they aren’t at the same level as what you are about to go through. That’s not to imply that they aren’t useful or that they won’t provide you with a good foundation for what you are about to learn, but they are not substitutes for the classes you are about to take. Your program is going to be challenging and rigorous, and you need to hit the ground running. Make it a habit to study right from the very beginning, and you’ll be much better off as you go through that first semester, and certainly as you move on from there.

'''3. Pass your comprehensive exams on the first round.'''
Many Ph.D. students, including me, have the horrible experience of learning that they have failed all or part of their comprehensive exams. Believe me, horrible doesn’t even begin to describe that initial feeling or the work that came with trying to prepare for a second round of tests. It was humiliating and exhausting, to say the least. So, take the time to study carefully and prepare fully. The article [[How do I prepare for comprehensive exams?]] has excellent advice for helping you get through this important test your first time.

That said, if you do mess up, take a deep breath. You can get through it, just like the rest of us did. In retrospect, it was a good experience for me. I think it made me a much more empathetic teacher (since it was my first true academic failure), and it taught me a lot about prayer, inspiration, and humility. I certainly wouldn’t go back and go through it again, but it didn’t end my career either. So, here are some ideas for what to do if you do fail. First, take a few minutes to talk to each of the professors that graded your answers. All of them will give you good advice if you are willing to humble yourself and ask for it. Don’t be confrontational, but be direct and ask good follow-up questions. Second, ask at least one of the senior professors, preferably your chosen advisor or the head of the Ph.D. program, whether the committee was trying to send you a signal about your academic future. Hopefully they will assure that they think you can do it and that you should try again. If not, then it is time to move on. Finally, study like mad! Use the advice the faculty gave you and improve your study techniques and your critical thinking. Try some practice exams, rewrite the questions you failed, read even more extensively than they asked you to read, and create a comprehensive framework that you can jot down when you first walk into that make-up exam. Then you’ll have all the citations you need all ready to go. Make passing the test your top priority, and you’ll be okay.

'''4. Choose a good advisor.'''
Our first, natural reaction is to choose the faculty member whose research interests most closely match what the type of research we want to do. That’s a good strategy, but don’t rely just on that one factor. Believe it or not, but you will spend the next couple of years completely at the mercy of your advisor. You are going to want someone who’s research interests are similar to yours, but you will also want someone with a personality you can work with. You might want to consider talking to someone he or she is currently working with or has worked with in the past. Get a feel for how they treat their students, if they change their mind every time they talk about something, and if they’ll fight for their students’ rights if necessary. Those are important factors to consider. Similarly, does the faculty member provide his or her students with a topic, or let the students come up with their own topics? Both methods have their pros and cons, which you will want to consider before making your choice.

You might also want to consider your prospective advisor’s research agenda and how many students he or she is currently working with. If your advisor is relatively free, he or she will be able to work with you much more closely, and will provide you with feedback more quickly. Several of my friends ended up spending more time at school than I did because their advisor was simply too busy to provide them with immediate feedback. In contrast, at one point, my advisor and I were turning over dissertation chapters multiple times each day right before graduation because she was willing to give me that much time and attention. Because of her help, I was able to finish up in four years, even with some major setbacks after the first year of working on my dissertation.

'''5. Get involved in the Church.'''
When my wife and I moved away from BYU, we were a little nervous about getting into a new ward. However, I think my Church service was the best part of my time in the Ph.D. program. We were living away from the center of the Church, and there were lots of opportunities to serve. No matter how bad my week at school was (and I had some REALLY bad days), I was able to recharge as I made time to serve the Lord. Somehow, the Lord made up for the time I was away from home and school, so I was still able to get done everything I needed and to learn and grow in the gospel. Make sure that it’s an important part of your life so that you will get those important blessings.

'''6. Take time for your family.'''
It is easy to get caught up in the day to day grind of going to school, reading papers, writing down ideas, slogging through data, etc. Add to that a calling, and you have some serious time commitments away from home. But your family life can be your most important anchor as you try to get through school. It can also be a time of enormous growth for you and your eternal companion. The time you spend in your Ph.D. program will be even more successful if you use it to improve your family traditions and relationships. Although you will often feel that you are terribly busy, it is going to get much worse as an assistant professor. Make sure to take the time, while still a student, to devote to your family and to establish traditions that will ensure you still take time once you leave your program and get onto a tenure clock.

'''7. Let yourself go (a little) crazy.'''
While you are working on your course work in the Ph.D. program, you will feel much like you do now. Classes will come and go, you will work hard, and you will feel like things are progressing along nicely. Then you will pass your comprehensive exams and begin to work on your dissertation. That’s when that wonderful feeling of progress will grind to a crushing halt. That’s not meant to discourage you. However, everyone I’ve ever spoken with had stretches during their dissertation work when they felt that nothing was happening. So be prepared for those feelings.

No matter how much you prepare, however, as the first year rolls by and you realize that you have spent a whole year on something that doesn’t seem to be coming together, you will start to feel just a little frustrated. That’s when it is time to do something a little crazy with your time for a while, if only to recharge your circuits. Let me give you some examples. I had one friend who served as a faculty advisor for his old fraternity. It got him out of the business building and let him counsel and work with younger students. He had great stories about the stupid things they were doing, and that kept him on a more even keel while he worked. Another Ph.D. student I knew got so sick of her dissertation that one night she came up with a plan to make her husband a professional golfer. She lined up sponsors, got a corporate credit card, and got him going. I’m not sure how successful he has been, but it served the purpose of giving her something to do that got her away from her dissertation. As for me, well, I wrote a novel. I started it early in the program as a gift for my wife. Money was tight at Christmas, and my wife is an avid reader. So, I started writing her a story, adding a little more to it each Christmas season. Towards the end of my first year working on my dissertation, however, I sort of snapped. So, I got out the book, and I finished it. I spent more time on it than I should have, but it got me away from my dissertation into something I could control, and that was just what I needed.

The bottom line is that you will find a need, somewhere in the middle of writing and researching your dissertation, to do something else. Let yourself branch out a little bit and do something a little nuts. After a while, you will have recharged your batteries and go back to work. You’ll probably find that you actually work harder and smarter after taking a bit of a break than if you just keep pushing. You’ll also find that you have learned some skills and developed some talents that will help you later on in your career and your life.

'''8. Learn to teach.'''
Most of the emphasis in your Ph.D. program will be on researching, but that’s not all there is to being an academic. Many students and new faculty think that the tenure decision is made exclusively, or almost exclusively, on publications, but that is not always the case. At many schools, especially those not in the top tier, your abilities in the classroom will also factor heavily into your promotion and tenure decision. This is especially true with the AACSB’s recent focus on teaching quality, assessment, and ‘closing the loop.’ Colleges and departments going up for ‘maintenance of accreditation’ spend a great deal of time worrying about teaching quality, which makes it all the more important for new, untenured faculty to be at least competent in the classroom.
On top of the accreditation emphasis, teaching can be very rewarding for new faculty members. Notes from students, good teaching evaluations, or visits from prior students can provide you with the positive feedback you need to deal with the often negative feedback from research (rejections, tough reviewer comments, attacks during presentations, etc.). Positive feedback from teaching provides a fortification against those negative vibes and reinforces our original desire to get into academia in the first place.

Hopefully your chosen Ph.D. program will give you the opportunity to teach several classes while you work on your degree. While this teaching will take away time that you would like to spend on your own studies and work, don’t just write it off as wasted time. Instead, take the time to try out new ideas and skills in the classroom. Since most faculty, and even students, at Ph.D. granting institutions expect Ph.D. students to be mediocre teachers at best, they will be more forgiving of your mistakes than will your department chair and students once you become a professor. Most schools have one or two ‘master teachers,’ teachers that are everyone’s favorite despite the workload in their classes. Once you have identified these powerful teachers (who may or may not be tenure track faculty), try to find a way to learn from them. You can try sitting in on their classes or chatting with them about the problems you are having in your teaching. Most good teachers are happy to help you improve your teaching, especially when they notice that you are implementing the hints they have passed on. That’s the real secret: try what they tell you, go back and tell them how it went, and they will open up even more. It can be a very rewarding relationship that will make a world of difference as you work to become a college instructor yourself.

Be careful not to go too far in your teaching practice, however. Trying a few new things and watching your favorite teachers is a good thing. Spending too much time on teaching can slow you down in the process of completing your degree. You don’t want to do that. Take some time to work on your teaching, but make sure that most of your time and effort continues to go into your studies or your research. Learning to teach as a Ph.D. student is rewarding, but teaching for a real salary (after you have finished your degree) is even more rewarding!

'''9. Get to know the faculty and other Ph.D students in and outside your program.'''
There are many benefits to getting to know a lot of people. First, you will have a bigger chance to get on a project in progress if you know the people who are already working on it. Second, when it comes to presenting your papers, people you have developed a relationship with will be more willing to give you constructive feedback. Third, people who know you will be more willing to spread good words about you when you hit the job market. Don't be afraid to reach out. The academic community is very small and reputations can spread quickly.

'''10. Speak up in workshops.'''
Always carrying a good attitude and showing a desire to learn really will get you further than you think. Some international students tend to be more shy and be more quiet during workshop seminars or conferences ( I am no exception), and this is something that they need to work on. A well-rounded Ph.D student is not only hard-working and well-read, but also able to communicate well with others individually and publicly. Trying to be more out-going and participative in workshops or conferences will give people a good impression about you.

'''11. Beware of plagiarism.'''
Nothing ruins your career faster than cheating or plagiarism. There is only black and white in the world of cheating (you either cheat or didn't), but there tends to be some gray area in plagiarism. Be careful when you are working on a paper or a project for a class. You need to give full credit and cite correctly when ideas are taken from a paper or when they are very similar to the ideas of another paper. This is extremely important and should not be taken lightly. You might also get comments and advice from workshop participants who are helpful in making your second or third draft better. In this case, you must acknowledge their help by noting their names in the paper. You might think the person wouldn’t mind if you omitted their name--think again!

===Conclusion===
Life as a Ph.D. student is difficult; it is challenging; it is frustrating. But don’t allow that to keep you from trying or from bringing you down once you have begun. The rewards for completing your program are manifold. Not only will you get to teach and do research (both of which you will hopefully learn to enjoy), but you will also have a comfortable lifestyle, a good salary, and a very flexible schedule. In addition, there is nothing that can compare with that wonderful feeling of standing in front of a full auditorium and listening to your name being read while your advisor ‘hoods you’ and welcomes you into the select group of people who have completed their Ph.D.

The ideas and comments in this article are meant to provide you with some ideas to help you get through your program successfully. They aren’t meant to be a comprehensive list; not by a long shot. Anyone who has completed a Ph.D. has a list of those ideas and methods that worked for him or her, and all of those ideas and thoughts are just as valid as the ideas presented here. Everyone takes a slightly different path to successfully complete their Ph.D. program.

And that brings me to my very last bit of advice. You are beginning your Ph.D. program, make it whatever you want it to be. Learn to teach or focus solely on research; learn to do all sorts of research or just focus on the research that most interests you; start a million papers or just do your dissertation. It is your education, so focus on those things you want to get out of it. And then, as you finish up, find a few new Ph.D. students. Take them out to lunch and give them the ideas and the thoughts that worked for you, tell them how much you have learned and tell them not to get discouraged, build them up with all those things you have learned through your blood, sweat, and tears.

Then, enjoy a few minutes to yourself. Put on those fancy robes that you have now earned the right to wear and parade around in front of the mirror, or spend some time looking at that fancy frame with your degree in it. Better yet, introduce yourself to someone as “Dr. _________.” Other than the voices of your spouse and children, the first time you hear someone call you that will probably be the sweetest thing you have ever heard! And when all is said and done, that is success in a Ph.D. program.

==Other Useful Resources==

The best available advice on the internet is from fields other than accounting, but most of it applies to accounting. A list of helpful links and citations follow:
* Getting the Most from Your Doctoral Program: Advice for the Ph.D. Student in Finance, by Frank Alpert and Thomas H. Eyssell, Journal of Financial Education, Fall 1995
* [[How do I prepare for comprehensive exams?]]

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What classes should I take?

2024-12-28T19:59:36Z

Jeffrey9: /* Archival Skill Sets */

What is most important for a Ph.D. student to know before entering a Ph.D. program depends to a degree on the [[What is accounting research?#Accounting Research Topical Areas|type of research]] that the student wants to conduct. The three "tracts" of research can be separated based on whether the student is interested in conducting analytical, archival, or experimental research.

===Analytical Skill Sets===
Students that are successfull in analytical fields often have engineering, math, or physics undergraduate degrees. If one is to master analytical accounting research, advanced mathematical skills are necessary. Good classes to take would be Econ 382 (Price Theory) and Econ 478 (Game Theory). Any of the 500 level Econ classes would also help. A potential analyst should consider pursing either a minor or spending some extra time to get a double major in economics.

===Archival Skill Sets===
Future archival researchers should consider taking Econ 588 rather than Stat 512. Additionally, it would be beneficial to take Stat 441 and 442, which are similar to 588 but are more in depth. The prerequisite for Stat 441 is Math 214 (Multivariable Calculus), so you will need to plan ahead if you need to take more math to get prepared. More math is also preferred. Linear Algebra is probably more important than Multivariable Calculus if one has to choose.

There are two linear algebra courses offered at BYU: Math 343 and Math 302 (which spends only half of the semester on linear algebra). Math 343 is a more theoretical course and as such is a rigorous course in mathematics. Students are expected not only to master computations, but also to demonstrate their understanding of linear algebra by creating abstract proofs. Developing proficiency in critical thinking and logical inference is a major goal of Math 343. Math 302 is Mathematics for Engineering I and covers multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and numerical methods. It is also known as applied linear algebra. The prerequisite for Math 343 is Math 112 or 119 and it is a 3 credit class. The prerequisite for Math 302 is Math 113 and it is a 4 credit class.

One PhD Prep alum took Math 343 after they had taken Econ 378, 388, and 588 (the statistical economics courses) and found that the first third of the class was somewhat of a review. Taking Math 343 before those courses could be an advantage. In either case, they still thought it is beneficial to take a rigorous math course that requires doing a lot of proofs. The last part of the course gets into some of the foundations for OLS regression.

If you are worried about your math skills as you prepare to take the pre-Ph.D. classes, the engineering school offers a math refresher course, Eng T 295R. It is designed for engineering majors who took calculus before their missions and need to get back up to speed after having been away from school for a while. It is a review of basic techniques of algebra, trigonometry, differential calculus, integral calculus, and series and sequences. Calculus becomes important in the economics courses required for the prep track.

===Experimental Skill Sets===
One of the most important skills to develop as an experimentalist is research design. The strength of experimental methodology is internal validity. Experimentalists should rarely, if ever, sacrifice internal validity to achieve other types of validity; thus, being able to design high quality experiments is very important. To develop this skill, a Ph.D. prep student would benefit from a detailed study of Cook and Campbell, an experimental design class (Stat 431), and attempting to design an experiment and then seeking feedback from an experimentalist.

Experimental research is not as popular in accounting as archival research. An experimentalist may wish to take Stat 512 instead of Econ 588. Stat 512 goes over topics that are more relevant to experiments, such as experimental design and MANOVA whereas Econ 588 is more aimed at archival research methods. Since experiments are not the dominant paradigm in accounting research, experimentalists should be conversant in archival research methodologies. Because of this, an experimentalist may wish to take Econ 588 to develop these skills and to make life easier in your Ph.D. program (when you are likely to take similar classes).

The readings seminar provides a great opportunity to discuss the design and experiment in experimental papers. Especially when the author leads to the class discussion, take the opportunity to discuss the instrument they used and ask questions about their design choices. Even looking at the instrument from someone’s experiment provides a lot of insight as to what goes into a good design.

Since there are not lot of classes related to experimental research at BYU, take the time to read some books. As mentioned earlier, Shadish, Cook, and Campbell is a book you should take very seriously when you take it with Doug. Read it again towards the end of the program as well because you will appreciate it even more after taking the other classes.

Sarah Bonner has a book, “Judgment and Decision Making in Accounting” that provides a good framework for the literature. Use the first couple chapters to get an understating of the framework and then the latter chapters provide a good review of the literature if you have an area of interest and want to know what papers to read.

An overall heads up for all of the methodologies, the Econ Probability and Stats course at BYU is a good fundamental class. Many of the things you learn in that course, especially the math, will be considered review material and surpassed quickly in a PhD Probability and Stats course. Also, the Wackerly book used for that class, Mathematical Statistics, is probably worth keeping as a resource.

==Short Description of Classes==
===Required Courses===
The following are courses required for the Ph.D. Prep Track:

====PhD Prep Specific====
*'''Acc 516''' This class goes over the basics of the theory of science and research methodology. The class will also offer an introduction to accounting literature. The class requires a lot of reading.
*'''Acc 517''' This class helps students understand better experimental and archival research by exploring how these methodologies approach research.
*'''Acc 591R''' This is a readings class. The curriculum varies each semester so students are required to take it every semester that they are not enrolled in Acc 516 or Acc 517. Generally the class requires students to read, discuss, and present on accounting literature.

====Statistics====
* '''Stat 511''' This class is a refresher course on basic statistics, most of which was learned in Stat 221. However, there are a few topics that will be relatively new.
* '''Stat 512''' This class continues where 511 left off. It goes into more detail with different types of tests and corrections. Topics include MANOVA, experimental design, logit regressions, and autocorrelation corrections. It is recommended that one take this class for preparation in performing experimental research.

====Economics====
* '''Econ 378''' This course goes into the basic mathematics behind the statistics learned in Stat 221. The course does require calculus, but don't worry too much if you are rusty. The first day of class usually includes a review of Calculus that can bring a student up to speed.
* '''Econ 380''' This is a microeconomics course. Essentially you take the concepts learned about in Econ 110 and learn the math behind it. Similar to Econ 378, this class requires Calculus and it also generally has a Calculus refresher the first day of class.
* '''Econ 381''' This class goes over Macroeconomics. This class focuses on models that explain the economy and some basics of economic governance. While the class claims to require Calculus, generally very little (in some cases none) is required.
* '''Econ 388''' Econometrics is a difficult class for most students. The class covers the linear algebra behind regression analysis. While you are not required to take linear algebra before taking this class, it will give you a competitive advantage.
* '''Econ 488''' This class applies econometric principles in reviewing, critiquing, and exploring research papers and questions. It is not as useful as Econ 588 for archival research but still is useful.
* '''[[Econ 588: Econometrics|Econ 588]]''' This class picks up from where Econ 388 left off, covering more advanced econometric topics. Again, this is a challenging class for most students. It is recommended that you take this class if you plan on doing archival research.

===Recommended Courses===
The following are courses recommended for those considering research in a certain methodology:

====Archival Research====
* '''Stat 124''' SAS Certification 1. If you want to beef up your SAS skills before entering a PhD program, consider getting SAS certified. Stat 124 and Stat 324 are a block classes on SAS that will prepare you to become SAS certified.
* '''Stat 212''' Statistical Computing 1.
* '''Stat 324''' Advanced SAS Programming Certification. See Stat 124 description.
* '''Stat 412''' Statistical Computing 2.
* '''Math 214''' Calculus of Several Variables. This class covers topics such as partial differentiation, the Jacobian Matrix, and integral theorems of vector calculus.
* '''Math 343''' Elementary Linear Algebra. This class covers basic matrix algebra. Topics include linear systems, vectors and vector spaces, linear transformations, determinants, inner product spaces, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. This class follows up on what was learned in Econ 380. Topics covered include Welfare Theory, imperfect information, imperfect competition (in more depth), uncertainty, externalities, and public goods.

====Experimental Research====
* '''Stat 321''' Elements of Mathematical Statistics. This class looks at probability, random variables, frequency distributions, estimation and tests of hypotheses from a theoretical stand point.
* '''Stat 435''' Nonparametric Statistical Models. This class goes over permutation tests, rank-based models, analysis of contingency tables, bootstrap methods, and curve fitting.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. See description above.
* '''Econ 478''' Game Theory and Economics. This class applies game theory to the study of interactions between people and organizations. It looks at topics such as imperfect competition, insurance markets and bargaining. Strong math skills are recommended.

==Other Course Suggestions==
Here are some other tips on [[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?#Course Comparison|course requirements]] for the Ph.D. Prep Track. Also, here are several [[Suggestions from past Ph.D. Prep Track students about classes at BYU|suggestions from past students]] on classes at BYU.

Here are several minor options for Prep Track Students:
* [[Undergraduate Economics Minor]]
* [[Undergraduate Accounting and Economics Dual Major]]

----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[What classes should I take?]]</small>
|}

What classes should I take?

2024-12-28T19:57:26Z

Jeffrey9: /* Experimental Skill Sets */

What is most important for a Ph.D. student to know before entering a Ph.D. program depends to a degree on the [[What is accounting research?#Accounting Research Topical Areas|type of research]] that the student wants to conduct. The three "tracts" of research can be separated based on whether the student is interested in conducting analytical, archival, or experimental research.

===Analytical Skill Sets===
Students that are successfull in analytical fields often have engineering, math, or physics undergraduate degrees. If one is to master analytical accounting research, advanced mathematical skills are necessary. Good classes to take would be Econ 382 (Price Theory) and Econ 478 (Game Theory). Any of the 500 level Econ classes would also help. A potential analyst should consider pursing either a minor or spending some extra time to get a double major in economics.

===Archival Skill Sets===
Future archival researchers should consider taking Econ 588 rather than Stat 512. Additionally, it would be beneficial to take Stat 441 and 442, which are similar to 588 but are more in depth. The prerequisite for Stat 441 is Math 214 (Multivariable Calculus), so you will need to plan ahead if you need to take more math to get prepared. More math is also preferred. Linear Algebra is probably more important than Multivariable Calculus if one has to choose.

There are two linear algebra courses offered at BYU: Math 343 and Math 302 (which spends only half of the semester on linear algebra). Math 343 is a more theoretical course and as such is a rigorous course in mathematics. Students are expected not only to master computations, but also to demonstrate their understanding of linear algebra by creating abstract proofs. Developing proficiency in critical thinking and logical inference is a major goal of Math 343. Math 302 is Mathematics for Engineering I and covers multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and numerical methods. It is also known as applied linear algebra. The prerequisite for Math 343 is Math 112 or 119 and it is a 3 credit class. The prerequisite for Math 302 is Math 113 and it is a 4 credit class.

I took Math 343 after I had taken Econ 378, 388, and 588 (the statistical economics courses) and found that the first third of the class was somewhat of a review. Taking Math 343 before those courses could be an advantage. In either case, I still think it is beneficial to take a rigorous math course that requires doing a lot of proofs. The last part of the course gets into some of the foundations for OLS regression.

If you are worried about your math skills as you prepare to take the pre-Ph.D. classes, the engineering school offers a math refresher course, Eng T 295R. It is designed for engineering majors who took calculus before their missions and need to get back up to speed after having been away from school for a while. It is a review of basic techniques of algebra, trigonometry, differential calculus, integral calculus, and series and sequences. Calculus becomes important in the economics courses required for the prep track.

===Experimental Skill Sets===
One of the most important skills to develop as an experimentalist is research design. The strength of experimental methodology is internal validity. Experimentalists should rarely, if ever, sacrifice internal validity to achieve other types of validity; thus, being able to design high quality experiments is very important. To develop this skill, a Ph.D. prep student would benefit from a detailed study of Cook and Campbell, an experimental design class (Stat 431), and attempting to design an experiment and then seeking feedback from an experimentalist.

Experimental research is not as popular in accounting as archival research. An experimentalist may wish to take Stat 512 instead of Econ 588. Stat 512 goes over topics that are more relevant to experiments, such as experimental design and MANOVA whereas Econ 588 is more aimed at archival research methods. Since experiments are not the dominant paradigm in accounting research, experimentalists should be conversant in archival research methodologies. Because of this, an experimentalist may wish to take Econ 588 to develop these skills and to make life easier in your Ph.D. program (when you are likely to take similar classes).

The readings seminar provides a great opportunity to discuss the design and experiment in experimental papers. Especially when the author leads to the class discussion, take the opportunity to discuss the instrument they used and ask questions about their design choices. Even looking at the instrument from someone’s experiment provides a lot of insight as to what goes into a good design.

Since there are not lot of classes related to experimental research at BYU, take the time to read some books. As mentioned earlier, Shadish, Cook, and Campbell is a book you should take very seriously when you take it with Doug. Read it again towards the end of the program as well because you will appreciate it even more after taking the other classes.

Sarah Bonner has a book, “Judgment and Decision Making in Accounting” that provides a good framework for the literature. Use the first couple chapters to get an understating of the framework and then the latter chapters provide a good review of the literature if you have an area of interest and want to know what papers to read.

An overall heads up for all of the methodologies, the Econ Probability and Stats course at BYU is a good fundamental class. Many of the things you learn in that course, especially the math, will be considered review material and surpassed quickly in a PhD Probability and Stats course. Also, the Wackerly book used for that class, Mathematical Statistics, is probably worth keeping as a resource.

==Short Description of Classes==
===Required Courses===
The following are courses required for the Ph.D. Prep Track:

====PhD Prep Specific====
*'''Acc 516''' This class goes over the basics of the theory of science and research methodology. The class will also offer an introduction to accounting literature. The class requires a lot of reading.
*'''Acc 517''' This class helps students understand better experimental and archival research by exploring how these methodologies approach research.
*'''Acc 591R''' This is a readings class. The curriculum varies each semester so students are required to take it every semester that they are not enrolled in Acc 516 or Acc 517. Generally the class requires students to read, discuss, and present on accounting literature.

====Statistics====
* '''Stat 511''' This class is a refresher course on basic statistics, most of which was learned in Stat 221. However, there are a few topics that will be relatively new.
* '''Stat 512''' This class continues where 511 left off. It goes into more detail with different types of tests and corrections. Topics include MANOVA, experimental design, logit regressions, and autocorrelation corrections. It is recommended that one take this class for preparation in performing experimental research.

====Economics====
* '''Econ 378''' This course goes into the basic mathematics behind the statistics learned in Stat 221. The course does require calculus, but don't worry too much if you are rusty. The first day of class usually includes a review of Calculus that can bring a student up to speed.
* '''Econ 380''' This is a microeconomics course. Essentially you take the concepts learned about in Econ 110 and learn the math behind it. Similar to Econ 378, this class requires Calculus and it also generally has a Calculus refresher the first day of class.
* '''Econ 381''' This class goes over Macroeconomics. This class focuses on models that explain the economy and some basics of economic governance. While the class claims to require Calculus, generally very little (in some cases none) is required.
* '''Econ 388''' Econometrics is a difficult class for most students. The class covers the linear algebra behind regression analysis. While you are not required to take linear algebra before taking this class, it will give you a competitive advantage.
* '''Econ 488''' This class applies econometric principles in reviewing, critiquing, and exploring research papers and questions. It is not as useful as Econ 588 for archival research but still is useful.
* '''[[Econ 588: Econometrics|Econ 588]]''' This class picks up from where Econ 388 left off, covering more advanced econometric topics. Again, this is a challenging class for most students. It is recommended that you take this class if you plan on doing archival research.

===Recommended Courses===
The following are courses recommended for those considering research in a certain methodology:

====Archival Research====
* '''Stat 124''' SAS Certification 1. If you want to beef up your SAS skills before entering a PhD program, consider getting SAS certified. Stat 124 and Stat 324 are a block classes on SAS that will prepare you to become SAS certified.
* '''Stat 212''' Statistical Computing 1.
* '''Stat 324''' Advanced SAS Programming Certification. See Stat 124 description.
* '''Stat 412''' Statistical Computing 2.
* '''Math 214''' Calculus of Several Variables. This class covers topics such as partial differentiation, the Jacobian Matrix, and integral theorems of vector calculus.
* '''Math 343''' Elementary Linear Algebra. This class covers basic matrix algebra. Topics include linear systems, vectors and vector spaces, linear transformations, determinants, inner product spaces, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. This class follows up on what was learned in Econ 380. Topics covered include Welfare Theory, imperfect information, imperfect competition (in more depth), uncertainty, externalities, and public goods.

====Experimental Research====
* '''Stat 321''' Elements of Mathematical Statistics. This class looks at probability, random variables, frequency distributions, estimation and tests of hypotheses from a theoretical stand point.
* '''Stat 435''' Nonparametric Statistical Models. This class goes over permutation tests, rank-based models, analysis of contingency tables, bootstrap methods, and curve fitting.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. See description above.
* '''Econ 478''' Game Theory and Economics. This class applies game theory to the study of interactions between people and organizations. It looks at topics such as imperfect competition, insurance markets and bargaining. Strong math skills are recommended.

==Other Course Suggestions==
Here are some other tips on [[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?#Course Comparison|course requirements]] for the Ph.D. Prep Track. Also, here are several [[Suggestions from past Ph.D. Prep Track students about classes at BYU|suggestions from past students]] on classes at BYU.

Here are several minor options for Prep Track Students:
* [[Undergraduate Economics Minor]]
* [[Undergraduate Accounting and Economics Dual Major]]

----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[What classes should I take?]]</small>
|}

How do I get into a research intensive PhD program?

2024-12-28T19:48:41Z

Jeffrey9:

* Study for the [[The GMAT|GMAT]] and get a good score. At "top" schools, most students will have a [[The GMAT|GMAT]] score of 700 or above with a minimum of 600. (However, the [[The GMAT|GMAT]] is just one factor in your [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program|application]].)

* Take your Ph.D. Prep Track courses seriously and learn as much as possible.

* Get research going with faculty. Take your ideas to them and take initiative so you have the opportunity to have co-authored work in progress.

* Seek the advice of [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NnQOJmLHoHsMJvMnft7YQcaolAdiMoqdreB53FqKito/edit?usp=sharing|current professors and doctoral students] so you know which schools you should apply to.

* Apply to [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program#Selecting the Right Program|programs that fit]] your needs and interests. This is critical as those Ph.D. prep students who have not finished their Ph.D. did not fit well at the schools where they began studying.

* Your [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program#Statement of Purpose|statement of purpose]] is very important. Make sure you spend a lot of time crafting this document and have several individuals read it and comment on it.

* Get good [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program#Letters of Recommendation|letters of recommendation]]. Although you cannot control what is written about you, you should be professional in your interactions with faculty. A good letter of recommendation can go a long way, and a mediocre letter can shut doors very quickly.

* Consider attending an academic [[What conferences are the best to attend?|conference]] during Fall of your last year in the MAcc. Doing so will allow you to meet the faculty you could be working with at schools, and making a decision to accept you is much easier if the faculty have met you and know that you are into research enough to go to academic conferences.

----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[How do I get into a research intensive PhD program?]]</small>
|}

How do I get into a research intensive PhD program?

2024-12-28T19:47:55Z

Jeffrey9:

* Study for the [[The GMAT|GMAT]] and get a good score. At "top" schools, most students will have a [[The GMAT|GMAT]] score of 700 or above with a minimum of 600. (However, the [[The GMAT|GMAT]] is just one factor in your [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program|application]].)

* Take your Ph.D. Prep Track courses seriously and learn as much as possible.

* Get research going with faculty. Take your ideas to them and take initiative so you have the opportunity to have co-authored work in progress.

* Seek the advice of [[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NnQOJmLHoHsMJvMnft7YQcaolAdiMoqdreB53FqKito/edit?usp=sharing|current professors and doctoral students]] so you know which schools you should apply to.

* Apply to [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program#Selecting the Right Program|programs that fit]] your needs and interests. This is critical as those Ph.D. prep students who have not finished their Ph.D. did not fit well at the schools where they began studying.

* Your [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program#Statement of Purpose|statement of purpose]] is very important. Make sure you spend a lot of time crafting this document and have several individuals read it and comment on it.

* Get good [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program#Letters of Recommendation|letters of recommendation]]. Although you cannot control what is written about you, you should be professional in your interactions with faculty. A good letter of recommendation can go a long way, and a mediocre letter can shut doors very quickly.

* Consider attending an academic [[What conferences are the best to attend?|conference]] during Fall of your last year in the MAcc. Doing so will allow you to meet the faculty you could be working with at schools, and making a decision to accept you is much easier if the faculty have met you and know that you are into research enough to go to academic conferences.

----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[How do I get into a research intensive PhD program?]]</small>
|}

What classes should I take?

2024-12-28T15:42:22Z

Jeffrey9:

What is most important for a Ph.D. student to know before entering a Ph.D. program depends to a degree on the [[What is accounting research?#Accounting Research Topical Areas|type of research]] that the student wants to conduct. The three "tracts" of research can be separated based on whether the student is interested in conducting analytical, archival, or experimental research.

===Analytical Skill Sets===
Students that are successfull in analytical fields often have engineering, math, or physics undergraduate degrees. If one is to master analytical accounting research, advanced mathematical skills are necessary. Good classes to take would be Econ 382 (Price Theory) and Econ 478 (Game Theory). Any of the 500 level Econ classes would also help. A potential analyst should consider pursing either a minor or spending some extra time to get a double major in economics.

===Archival Skill Sets===
Future archival researchers should consider taking Econ 588 rather than Stat 512. Additionally, it would be beneficial to take Stat 441 and 442, which are similar to 588 but are more in depth. The prerequisite for Stat 441 is Math 214 (Multivariable Calculus), so you will need to plan ahead if you need to take more math to get prepared. More math is also preferred. Linear Algebra is probably more important than Multivariable Calculus if one has to choose.

There are two linear algebra courses offered at BYU: Math 343 and Math 302 (which spends only half of the semester on linear algebra). Math 343 is a more theoretical course and as such is a rigorous course in mathematics. Students are expected not only to master computations, but also to demonstrate their understanding of linear algebra by creating abstract proofs. Developing proficiency in critical thinking and logical inference is a major goal of Math 343. Math 302 is Mathematics for Engineering I and covers multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and numerical methods. It is also known as applied linear algebra. The prerequisite for Math 343 is Math 112 or 119 and it is a 3 credit class. The prerequisite for Math 302 is Math 113 and it is a 4 credit class.

I took Math 343 after I had taken Econ 378, 388, and 588 (the statistical economics courses) and found that the first third of the class was somewhat of a review. Taking Math 343 before those courses could be an advantage. In either case, I still think it is beneficial to take a rigorous math course that requires doing a lot of proofs. The last part of the course gets into some of the foundations for OLS regression.

If you are worried about your math skills as you prepare to take the pre-Ph.D. classes, the engineering school offers a math refresher course, Eng T 295R. It is designed for engineering majors who took calculus before their missions and need to get back up to speed after having been away from school for a while. It is a review of basic techniques of algebra, trigonometry, differential calculus, integral calculus, and series and sequences. Calculus becomes important in the economics courses required for the prep track.

===Experimental Skill Sets===
One of the most important skills to develop as an experimentalist is research design. The strength of experimental methodology is internal validity. Experimentalists should rarely, if ever, sacrifice internal validity to achieve other types of validity; thus, being able to design high quality experiments is very important. To develop this skill, a Ph.D. prep student would benefit from a detailed study of Cook and Campbell, an experimental design class (Stat 431), and attempting to design an experiment and then seeking feedback from an experimentalist.

Experimental research is not as popular in accounting as archival research. An experimentalist may wish to take Stat 512 instead of Econ 588. Stat 512 goes over topics that are more relevant to experiments, such as experimental design and MANOVA whereas Econ 588 is more aimed at archival research methods. Since experiments are not the dominant paradigm in accounting research, experimentalists should be conversant in archival research methodologies. Because of this, an experimentalist may wish to take Econ 588 to develop these skills and to make life easier in your Ph.D. program (when you are likely to take similar classes).

The readings seminar provides a great opportunity to discuss the design and experiment in experimental papers. Especially when the author leads to the class discussion, take the opportunity to discuss the instrument they used and ask questions about their design choices. Even looking at the instrument from someone’s experiment provides a lot of insight as to what goes into a good design.

Since there are not lot of classes related to experimental research at BYU, take the time to read some books. As mentioned earlier, Shadish, Cook and Campbell is a book you should take very seriously when you take it with Doug. Read it again towards the end of the program as well because you will appreciate it even more after taking the other classes.

Sarah Bonner has a book, “Judgment and Decision Making in Accounting” that provides a good framework for the literature. Use the first couple chapters to get an understating of the framework and then the latter chapters provide a good review of the literature if you have an area of interest and want to know what papers to read.

An overall heads up for all of the methodologies, the Econ Probability and Stats course at BYU is a good fundamental class. Many of the things you learn in that course, especially the math, will be considered review material and surpassed quickly in a PhD Probability and Stats course. Also, the Wackerly book used for that class, Mathematical Statistics, is probably worth keeping as a resource.

==Short Description of Classes==
===Required Courses===
The following are courses required for the Ph.D. Prep Track:

====PhD Prep Specific====
*'''Acc 516''' This class goes over the basics of the theory of science and research methodology. The class will also offer an introduction to accounting literature. The class requires a lot of reading.
*'''Acc 517''' This class helps students understand better experimental and archival research by exploring how these methodologies approach research.
*'''Acc 591R''' This is a readings class. The curriculum varies each semester so students are required to take it every semester that they are not enrolled in Acc 516 or Acc 517. Generally the class requires students to read, discuss, and present on accounting literature.

====Statistics====
* '''Stat 511''' This class is a refresher course on basic statistics, most of which was learned in Stat 221. However, there are a few topics that will be relatively new.
* '''Stat 512''' This class continues where 511 left off. It goes into more detail with different types of tests and corrections. Topics include MANOVA, experimental design, logit regressions, and autocorrelation corrections. It is recommended that one take this class for preparation in performing experimental research.

====Economics====
* '''Econ 378''' This course goes into the basic mathematics behind the statistics learned in Stat 221. The course does require calculus, but don't worry too much if you are rusty. The first day of class usually includes a review of Calculus that can bring a student up to speed.
* '''Econ 380''' This is a microeconomics course. Essentially you take the concepts learned about in Econ 110 and learn the math behind it. Similar to Econ 378, this class requires Calculus and it also generally has a Calculus refresher the first day of class.
* '''Econ 381''' This class goes over Macroeconomics. This class focuses on models that explain the economy and some basics of economic governance. While the class claims to require Calculus, generally very little (in some cases none) is required.
* '''Econ 388''' Econometrics is a difficult class for most students. The class covers the linear algebra behind regression analysis. While you are not required to take linear algebra before taking this class, it will give you a competitive advantage.
* '''Econ 488''' This class applies econometric principles in reviewing, critiquing, and exploring research papers and questions. It is not as useful as Econ 588 for archival research but still is useful.
* '''[[Econ 588: Econometrics|Econ 588]]''' This class picks up from where Econ 388 left off, covering more advanced econometric topics. Again, this is a challenging class for most students. It is recommended that you take this class if you plan on doing archival research.

===Recommended Courses===
The following are courses recommended for those considering research in a certain methodology:

====Archival Research====
* '''Stat 124''' SAS Certification 1. If you want to beef up your SAS skills before entering a PhD program, consider getting SAS certified. Stat 124 and Stat 324 are a block classes on SAS that will prepare you to become SAS certified.
* '''Stat 212''' Statistical Computing 1.
* '''Stat 324''' Advanced SAS Programming Certification. See Stat 124 description.
* '''Stat 412''' Statistical Computing 2.
* '''Math 214''' Calculus of Several Variables. This class covers topics such as partial differentiation, the Jacobian Matrix, and integral theorems of vector calculus.
* '''Math 343''' Elementary Linear Algebra. This class covers basic matrix algebra. Topics include linear systems, vectors and vector spaces, linear transformations, determinants, inner product spaces, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. This class follows up on what was learned in Econ 380. Topics covered include Welfare Theory, imperfect information, imperfect competition (in more depth), uncertainty, externalities, and public goods.

====Experimental Research====
* '''Stat 321''' Elements of Mathematical Statistics. This class looks at probability, random variables, frequency distributions, estimation and tests of hypotheses from a theoretical stand point.
* '''Stat 435''' Nonparametric Statistical Models. This class goes over permutation tests, rank-based models, analysis of contingency tables, bootstrap methods, and curve fitting.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. See description above.
* '''Econ 478''' Game Theory and Economics. This class applies game theory to the study of interactions between people and organizations. It looks at topics such as imperfect competition, insurance markets and bargaining. Strong math skills are recommended.

==Other Course Suggestions==
Here are some other tips on [[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?#Course Comparison|course requirements]] for the Ph.D. Prep Track. Also, here are several [[Suggestions from past Ph.D. Prep Track students about classes at BYU|suggestions from past students]] on classes at BYU.

Here are several minor options for Prep Track Students:
* [[Undergraduate Economics Minor]]
* [[Undergraduate Accounting and Economics Dual Major]]

----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[What classes should I take?]]</small>
|}

What classes should I take?

2024-12-28T15:39:15Z

Jeffrey9: /* PhD Prep Specific */

What is most important for a Ph.D. student to know before entering a Ph.D. program depends to a degree on the [[What is accounting research?#Accounting Research Topical Areas|type of research]] that the student wants to conduct. The three "tracts" of research can be separated based on whether the student is interested in conducting [[analytical]], [[archival]], or [[experimental]] research.

===[[Analytical]] Skill Sets===
Students that are successfull in analytical fields often have engineering, math, or physics undergraduate degrees. If one is to master analytical accounting research, advanced mathematical skills are necessary. Good classes to take would be Econ 382 (Price Theory) and Econ 478 (Game Theory). Any of the 500 level Econ classes would also help. A potential analyst should consider pursing either a minor or spending some extra time to get a double major in economics.

===[[Archival]] Skill Sets===
Future archival researchers should consider taking Econ 588 rather than Stat 512. Additionally, it would be beneficial to take Stat 441 and 442, which are similar to 588 but are more in depth. The prerequisite for Stat 441 is Math 214 (Multivariable Calculus), so you will need to plan ahead if you need to take more math to get prepared. More math is also preferred. Linear Algebra is probably more important than Multivariable Calculus if one has to choose.

There are two linear algebra courses offered at BYU: Math 343 and Math 302 (which spends only half of the semester on linear algebra). Math 343 is a more theoretical course and as such is a rigorous course in mathematics. Students are expected not only to master computations, but also to demonstrate their understanding of linear algebra by creating abstract proofs. Developing proficiency in critical thinking and logical inference is a major goal of Math 343. Math 302 is Mathematics for Engineering I and covers multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and numerical methods. It is also known as applied linear algebra. The prerequisite for Math 343 is Math 112 or 119 and it is a 3 credit class. The prerequisite for Math 302 is Math 113 and it is a 4 credit class.

I took Math 343 after I had taken Econ 378, 388, and 588 (the statistical economics courses) and found that the first third of the class was somewhat of a review. Taking Math 343 before those courses could be an advantage. In either case, I still think it is beneficial to take a rigorous math course that requires doing a lot of proofs. The last part of the course gets into some of the foundations for OLS regression.

If you are worried about your math skills as you prepare to take the pre-Ph.D. classes, the engineering school offers a math refresher course, Eng T 295R. It is designed for engineering majors who took calculus before their missions and need to get back up to speed after having been away from school for a while. It is a review of basic techniques of algebra, trigonometry, differential calculus, integral calculus, and series and sequences. Calculus becomes important in the economics courses required for the prep track.

===[[Experimental]] Skill Sets===
One of the most important skills to develop as an experimentalist is research design. The strength of experimental methodology is internal validity. Experimentalists should rarely, if ever, sacrifice internal validity to achieve other types of validity; thus, being able to design high quality experiments is very important. To develop this skill, a Ph.D. prep student would benefit from a detailed study of Cook and Campbell, an experimental design class (Stat 431), and attempting to design an experiment and then seeking feedback from an experimentalist.

Experimental research is not as popular in accounting as archival research. An experimentalist may wish to take Stat 512 instead of Econ 588. Stat 512 goes over topics that are more relevant to experiments, such as experimental design and MANOVA whereas Econ 588 is more aimed at archival research methods. Since experiments are not the dominant paradigm in accounting research, experimentalists should be conversant in archival research methodologies. Because of this, an experimentalist may wish to take Econ 588 to develop these skills and to make life easier in your Ph.D. program (when you are likely to take similar classes).

The readings seminar provides a great opportunity to discuss the design and experiment in experimental papers. Especially when the author leads to the class discussion, take the opportunity to discuss the instrument they used and ask questions about their design choices. Even looking at the instrument from someone’s experiment provides a lot of insight as to what goes into a good design.

Since there are not lot of classes related to experimental research at BYU, take the time to read some books. As mentioned earlier, Shadish, Cook and Campbell is a book you should take very seriously when you take it with Doug. Read it again towards the end of the program as well because you will appreciate it even more after taking the other classes.

Sarah Bonner has a book, “Judgment and Decision Making in Accounting” that provides a good framework for the literature. Use the first couple chapters to get an understating of the framework and then the latter chapters provide a good review of the literature if you have an area of interest and want to know what papers to read.

An overall heads up for all of the methodologies, the Econ Probability and Stats course at BYU is a good fundamental class. Many of the things you learn in that course, especially the math, will be considered review material and surpassed quickly in a PhD Probability and Stats course. Also, the Wackerly book used for that class, Mathematical Statistics, is probably worth keeping as a resource.

==Short Description of Classes==
===Required Courses===
The following are courses required for the Ph.D. Prep Track:

====PhD Prep Specific====
*'''Acc 516''' This class goes over the basics of the theory of science and research methodology. The class will also offer an introduction to accounting literature. The class requires a lot of reading.
*'''Acc 517''' This class helps students understand better experimental and archival research by exploring how these methodologies approach research.
*'''Acc 591R''' This is a readings class. The curriculum varies each semester so students are required to take it every semester that they are not enrolled in Acc 516 or Acc 517. Generally the class requires students to read, discuss, and present on accounting literature.

====Statistics====
* '''Stat 511''' This class is a refresher course on basic statistics, most of which was learned in Stat 221. However, there are a few topics that will be relatively new.
* '''Stat 512''' This class continues where 511 left off. It goes into more detail with different types of tests and corrections. Topics include MANOVA, experimental design, logit regressions, and autocorrelation corrections. It is recommended that one take this class for preparation in performing experimental research.

====Economics====
* '''Econ 378''' This course goes into the basic mathematics behind the statistics learned in Stat 221. The course does require calculus, but don't worry too much if you are rusty. The first day of class usually includes a review of Calculus that can bring a student up to speed.
* '''Econ 380''' This is a microeconomics course. Essentially you take the concepts learned about in Econ 110 and learn the math behind it. Similar to Econ 378, this class requires Calculus and it also generally has a Calculus refresher the first day of class.
* '''Econ 381''' This class goes over Macroeconomics. This class focuses on models that explain the economy and some basics of economic governance. While the class claims to require Calculus, generally very little (in some cases none) is required.
* '''Econ 388''' Econometrics is a difficult class for most students. The class covers the linear algebra behind regression analysis. While you are not required to take linear algebra before taking this class, it will give you a competitive advantage.
* '''[[Econ 588: Econometrics|Econ 588]]''' This class picks up from where Econ 388 left off, covering more advanced econometric topics. Again, this is a challenging class for most students. It is recommended that you take this class if you plan on doing archival research.

===Recommended Courses===
The following are courses recommended for those considering research in a certain methodology:

====Archival Research====
* '''Stat 124''' SAS Certification 1. If you want to beef up your SAS skills before entering a PhD program, consider getting SAS certified. Stat 124 and Stat 324 are a block classes on SAS that will prepare you to become SAS certified.
* '''Stat 212''' Statistical Computing 1.
* '''Stat 324''' Advanced SAS Programming Certification. See Stat 124 description.
* '''Stat 412''' Statistical Computing 2.
* '''Math 214''' Calculus of Several Variables. This class covers topics such as partial differentiation, the Jacobian Matrix, and integral theorems of vector calculus.
* '''Math 343''' Elementary Linear Algebra. This class covers basic matrix algebra. Topics include linear systems, vectors and vector spaces, linear transformations, determinants, inner product spaces, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. This class follows up on what was learned in Econ 380. Topics covered include Welfare Theory, imperfect information, imperfect competition (in more depth), uncertainty, externalities, and public goods.

====Experimental Research====
* '''Stat 321''' Elements of Mathematical Statistics. This class looks at probability, random variables, frequency distributions, estimation and tests of hypotheses from a theoretical stand point.
* '''Stat 435''' Nonparametric Statistical Models. This class goes over permutation tests, rank-based models, analysis of contingency tables, bootstrap methods, and curve fitting.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. See description above.
* '''Econ 478''' Game Theory and Economics. This class applies game theory to the study of interactions between people and organizations. It looks at topics such as imperfect competition, insurance markets and bargaining. Strong math skills are recommended.

==Other Course Suggestions==
Here are some other tips on [[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?#Course Comparison|course requirements]] for the Ph.D. Prep Track. Also, here are several [[Suggestions from past Ph.D. Prep Track students about classes at BYU|suggestions from past students]] on classes at BYU.

Here are several minor options for Prep Track Students:
* [[Undergraduate Economics Minor]]
* [[Undergraduate Accounting and Economics Dual Major]]

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What classes should I take?

2024-12-28T15:29:43Z

Jeffrey9: /* Other Course Suggestions */

What is most important for a Ph.D. student to know before entering a Ph.D. program depends to a degree on the [[What is accounting research?#Accounting Research Topical Areas|type of research]] that the student wants to conduct. The three "tracts" of research can be separated based on whether the student is interested in conducting [[analytical]], [[archival]], or [[experimental]] research.

===[[Analytical]] Skill Sets===
Students that are successfull in analytical fields often have engineering, math, or physics undergraduate degrees. If one is to master analytical accounting research, advanced mathematical skills are necessary. Good classes to take would be Econ 382 (Price Theory) and Econ 478 (Game Theory). Any of the 500 level Econ classes would also help. A potential analyst should consider pursing either a minor or spending some extra time to get a double major in economics.

===[[Archival]] Skill Sets===
Future archival researchers should consider taking Econ 588 rather than Stat 512. Additionally, it would be beneficial to take Stat 441 and 442, which are similar to 588 but are more in depth. The prerequisite for Stat 441 is Math 214 (Multivariable Calculus), so you will need to plan ahead if you need to take more math to get prepared. More math is also preferred. Linear Algebra is probably more important than Multivariable Calculus if one has to choose.

There are two linear algebra courses offered at BYU: Math 343 and Math 302 (which spends only half of the semester on linear algebra). Math 343 is a more theoretical course and as such is a rigorous course in mathematics. Students are expected not only to master computations, but also to demonstrate their understanding of linear algebra by creating abstract proofs. Developing proficiency in critical thinking and logical inference is a major goal of Math 343. Math 302 is Mathematics for Engineering I and covers multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and numerical methods. It is also known as applied linear algebra. The prerequisite for Math 343 is Math 112 or 119 and it is a 3 credit class. The prerequisite for Math 302 is Math 113 and it is a 4 credit class.

I took Math 343 after I had taken Econ 378, 388, and 588 (the statistical economics courses) and found that the first third of the class was somewhat of a review. Taking Math 343 before those courses could be an advantage. In either case, I still think it is beneficial to take a rigorous math course that requires doing a lot of proofs. The last part of the course gets into some of the foundations for OLS regression.

If you are worried about your math skills as you prepare to take the pre-Ph.D. classes, the engineering school offers a math refresher course, Eng T 295R. It is designed for engineering majors who took calculus before their missions and need to get back up to speed after having been away from school for a while. It is a review of basic techniques of algebra, trigonometry, differential calculus, integral calculus, and series and sequences. Calculus becomes important in the economics courses required for the prep track.

===[[Experimental]] Skill Sets===
One of the most important skills to develop as an experimentalist is research design. The strength of experimental methodology is internal validity. Experimentalists should rarely, if ever, sacrifice internal validity to achieve other types of validity; thus, being able to design high quality experiments is very important. To develop this skill, a Ph.D. prep student would benefit from a detailed study of Cook and Campbell, an experimental design class (Stat 431), and attempting to design an experiment and then seeking feedback from an experimentalist.

Experimental research is not as popular in accounting as archival research. An experimentalist may wish to take Stat 512 instead of Econ 588. Stat 512 goes over topics that are more relevant to experiments, such as experimental design and MANOVA whereas Econ 588 is more aimed at archival research methods. Since experiments are not the dominant paradigm in accounting research, experimentalists should be conversant in archival research methodologies. Because of this, an experimentalist may wish to take Econ 588 to develop these skills and to make life easier in your Ph.D. program (when you are likely to take similar classes).

The readings seminar provides a great opportunity to discuss the design and experiment in experimental papers. Especially when the author leads to the class discussion, take the opportunity to discuss the instrument they used and ask questions about their design choices. Even looking at the instrument from someone’s experiment provides a lot of insight as to what goes into a good design.

Since there are not lot of classes related to experimental research at BYU, take the time to read some books. As mentioned earlier, Shadish, Cook and Campbell is a book you should take very seriously when you take it with Doug. Read it again towards the end of the program as well because you will appreciate it even more after taking the other classes.

Sarah Bonner has a book, “Judgment and Decision Making in Accounting” that provides a good framework for the literature. Use the first couple chapters to get an understating of the framework and then the latter chapters provide a good review of the literature if you have an area of interest and want to know what papers to read.

An overall heads up for all of the methodologies, the Econ Probability and Stats course at BYU is a good fundamental class. Many of the things you learn in that course, especially the math, will be considered review material and surpassed quickly in a PhD Probability and Stats course. Also, the Wackerly book used for that class, Mathematical Statistics, is probably worth keeping as a resource.

==Short Description of Classes==
===Required Courses===
The following are courses required for the Ph.D. Prep Track:

====PhD Prep Specific====
*'''Acc 516''' This class goes over the basics of the theory of science and research methodology. The class will also offer an introduction to accounting literature. The class requires a lot of reading.
*'''Acc 517''' This class teaches the basics of SAS, a statistical software package commonly used in accounting research. While the class is only one credit, be prepared to dedicate a large block of time to it each week.
*'''Acc 591R''' This is a readings class. The curriculum varies each semester so students are required to take it every semester that they are not enrolled in Acc 516 or Acc 517. Generally the class requires students to read, discuss, and present on accounting literature.

====Statistics====
* '''Stat 511''' This class is a refresher course on basic statistics, most of which was learned in Stat 221. However, there are a few topics that will be relatively new.
* '''Stat 512''' This class continues where 511 left off. It goes into more detail with different types of tests and corrections. Topics include MANOVA, experimental design, logit regressions, and autocorrelation corrections. It is recommended that one take this class for preparation in performing experimental research.

====Economics====
* '''Econ 378''' This course goes into the basic mathematics behind the statistics learned in Stat 221. The course does require calculus, but don't worry too much if you are rusty. The first day of class usually includes a review of Calculus that can bring a student up to speed.
* '''Econ 380''' This is a microeconomics course. Essentially you take the concepts learned about in Econ 110 and learn the math behind it. Similar to Econ 378, this class requires Calculus and it also generally has a Calculus refresher the first day of class.
* '''Econ 381''' This class goes over Macroeconomics. This class focuses on models that explain the economy and some basics of economic governance. While the class claims to require Calculus, generally very little (in some cases none) is required.
* '''Econ 388''' Econometrics is a difficult class for most students. The class covers the linear algebra behind regression analysis. While you are not required to take linear algebra before taking this class, it will give you a competitive advantage.
* '''[[Econ 588: Econometrics|Econ 588]]''' This class picks up from where Econ 388 left off, covering more advanced econometric topics. Again, this is a challenging class for most students. It is recommended that you take this class if you plan on doing archival research.

===Recommended Courses===
The following are courses recommended for those considering research in a certain methodology:

====Archival Research====
* '''Stat 124''' SAS Certification 1. If you want to beef up your SAS skills before entering a PhD program, consider getting SAS certified. Stat 124 and Stat 324 are a block classes on SAS that will prepare you to become SAS certified.
* '''Stat 212''' Statistical Computing 1.
* '''Stat 324''' Advanced SAS Programming Certification. See Stat 124 description.
* '''Stat 412''' Statistical Computing 2.
* '''Math 214''' Calculus of Several Variables. This class covers topics such as partial differentiation, the Jacobian Matrix, and integral theorems of vector calculus.
* '''Math 343''' Elementary Linear Algebra. This class covers basic matrix algebra. Topics include linear systems, vectors and vector spaces, linear transformations, determinants, inner product spaces, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. This class follows up on what was learned in Econ 380. Topics covered include Welfare Theory, imperfect information, imperfect competition (in more depth), uncertainty, externalities, and public goods.

====Experimental Research====
* '''Stat 321''' Elements of Mathematical Statistics. This class looks at probability, random variables, frequency distributions, estimation and tests of hypotheses from a theoretical stand point.
* '''Stat 435''' Nonparametric Statistical Models. This class goes over permutation tests, rank-based models, analysis of contingency tables, bootstrap methods, and curve fitting.
* '''Econ 382''' Intermediate Price Theory 2. See description above.
* '''Econ 478''' Game Theory and Economics. This class applies game theory to the study of interactions between people and organizations. It looks at topics such as imperfect competition, insurance markets and bargaining. Strong math skills are recommended.

==Other Course Suggestions==
Here are some other tips on [[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?#Course Comparison|course requirements]] for the Ph.D. Prep Track. Also, here are several [[Suggestions from past Ph.D. Prep Track students about classes at BYU|suggestions from past students]] on classes at BYU.

Here are several minor options for Prep Track Students:
* [[Undergraduate Economics Minor]]
* [[Undergraduate Accounting and Economics Dual Major]]

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Am I cutting off options by deciding to do the Prep Track?

2024-12-28T15:25:57Z

Jeffrey9:

Doing the Prep Track does not necessarily limit your options within public accounting should you choose not to pursue a Ph.D. The Prep Track may even open up unique opportunities because of the unique skill sets you have begun to develop in the Prep Track (e.g., statistical training, SAS training, reading/understanding research).

If you decide to not pursue a Ph.D. and want to work outside of public accounting, the quantitative background of the Prep Track may work to your advantage. Previous prep track members have gone into investment banking, consulting, internal auditing, and other areas. Their specialized knowledge has helped them to do well in these other areas.

For more information, see what you will be learning in [[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?|the Ph.D. Prep Track]].

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Should I get a Ph.D. in a subject area other than accounting?

2024-12-28T15:24:16Z

Jeffrey9: /* Should I get a PhD in Management (Organizational Behavior, Strategy, or Organizational Theory)? */

Although the purpose of this website is to help potential doctoral students to receive a Ph.D. in accounting, there are still viable reasons for choosing an area of specialty other than accounting. For many people, a Ph.D. in accounting may be too focused (i.e. their research interests may lie outside of the typical accounting research streams). Ultimately, the potential academic should weigh other options carefully to determine the path that will lead to both career and personal success. Most importantly, you should choose a research and teaching concentration that can sustain your intellectual drive and passion.

===Should I get a PhD in Management (Organizational Behavior, Strategy, or Organizational Theory)?===

This section provides information on PhD programs in management, which includes the fields of organizational behavior, strategy, and organizational theory. Business schools also offer doctoral programs in finance, operations management, and marketing--which are NOT discussed in this section. Consider this a very basic primer on the field of management.

''Organizational Behavior'': If you are mostly interested in how individuals or teams are affected by or affect organizations, then you may consider getting a PhD in OB. Some important topics (among very many!) in this field include employee satisfaction, conflict between individuals and within teams, individual decision-making, organizational citizenship behavior, team effectiveness, etc. Much of the auditor decision-making research in Accounting is a sister-discipline of OB--that is, accounting scholars apply many of the same theories used in OB to the context of auditing. Both disciplines build upon theories from psychology and social psychology and apply it to individuals and groups within organizations.

''Strategy'': If you are mostly interested in firm performance, then a PhD in strategy may be right for you. Scholars in strategy typically focus on actions/events that affect some type of performance (e.g. profitability, operational effectiveness, survival). Some of many important topics include competition, mergers & acquisitions, alliances, corporate governance, international expansion, executive leadership, etc. Strategy research draws from many basic disciplines--especially economics, sociology, and political science. Many scholars in strategy focus on special topics such as entrepreneurship, international business, or ethics.

''Organizational Theory'': If you are mostly interested in what organizations are and how they function, perhaps a PhD in OT is for you. Scholars interested in OT study topics such as organizational change, optimal organizational structure, decision-making in organizations, and much more. In most cases, Business School do not offer a specific program in OT. Instead, scholars apply theories and concepts from OT to OB or Strategy. Thus, it is common to talk about "micro OT"--which focuses on groups and individuals in organizations and is studied by people who do OB--and "macro OT"--which focuses on the organization as the unit of analysis and is studied by people who do Strategy and related work.

Some Business Schools house all three sub-disciplines in one department that focuses on management & organizations. Other schools have separate departments for 'organizations' (including OT and OB) and 'Strategy'. What type of department to apply to depends on your research interests. The best thing you can do is talk to some kind of mentor/professor with whom you are working.

===How do I know that I'm interested in one of the Management fields?===

The following below relates the experience of one PhD Prep alum as they explored whether they would be more interested in a management field than accounting:

While in the PhD Prep Track, I quickly realized two things. First, I wanted to get a PhD because I liked teaching and research. Second, I did not like accounting research but was interested in management. The harder question was, "how do I know if I want to study Strategy or OB"? Many times research in different areas of management overlaps, and the field is much broader than accounting, so it's easy to be confused about where you fit best.

The best advice I received to answer this question was the following. Go to the most recent editions of the major journals in each field of study and read the title and abstract of the articles. Make a list of the articles that seem most interesting to you, and then discuss that list with someone familiar with research in management (a current PhD student or professor) and with someone in accounting. That should give you a good idea of where your interests lie. Some of the major journals in the field of Management include:

Administrative Science Quarterly (OT, OB, Strategy)
Strategic Management Journal (Strategy)
Journal of Applied Psychology (OB)
Academy of Management Journal (OT, OB, Strategy)
Academy of Management Review (OT, OB, Strategy)
Management Science (OT, OB, Strategy--also includes Operations Management research)
Organization Science (OT, OB, Strategy)
Journal of International Business Studies (Strategy, OT, and OB applied to international contexts)

Once you get a general idea of your field of interest, the best thing to do is to get a job as an RA with a professor doing research in your broad area of interest. This helps you make sure you want to pursue a PhD outside of Accounting and also serves as a great experience to demonstrate your true interest in your applications.

===What do I lose by switching from accounting to another field of study?===

The most important factor in deciding your field of study should be your research and teaching interests. If you can't envision yourself teaching or doing accounting research, you should clearly NOT pursue a PhD in accounting. However, assuming you are on the fence or have decided to pursue a different field, it helps to be aware of some of the costs of pursuing a different field of study.

# You give up some of the "halo" of coming out of the PhD Prep Track. The prep track is very well known in accounting PhD programs and, all else equal, gives you a premium in the eyes of admissions committees. Other departments may know less about the quality of BYU's accounting program and the PhD prep track. You can partially compensate for this by describing your unique training in the PhD Prep Track in your statement of purpose of by having someone familiar with the track write you a letter of recommendation.
# The accounting network that you join as part of the Ph.D. track will provide limited benefits to your career in another discipline.
# Salaries in other fields may be lower and finding a job can be harder. Accounting professor salaries are amongst the highest in Business Schools, perhaps only topped by Finance salaries. Other fields tend to pay slightly less. However, all Business School professors make excellent salaries (typically in the 100,000's). Talk to existing professors about this. The market for other disciplines is different than accounting. Some disciplines, such as information systems and management, are very saturated while Finance may have greater demand than even accounting.
# You may have to become familiar with a new area of knowledge (minor concern). You get an outstanding accounting education at BYU, which makes you familiar with the accounting profession and with the "language" of accounting in general. If, for example, you choose to get a PhD in marketing, you may need to learn a new "language". However, this generally should not be a basic concern if you are applying for a PhD in some business-related field. The general courses you took a the Marriott School provide enough of a primer so that you can learn quickly.

===Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) or PhD?===

Some doctoral business programs around the country offer a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) rather than a specific PhD in accounting. Many [[University Information|research intensive programs]] award a DBA to their doctoral students who choose to specialize or concentrate in accounting. Because emphasis is put on learning the skills to research effectively, many seminars for doctoral students include students from all concentrations. You may share graduate courses with students who are specializing in economics, finance, organizational behavior, marketing, etc.

Although the academic community may not differentiate between those with DBAs and those with PhDs for hiring practices, some subtle differences may exist in program outlines. Institutions offering DBAs focus more on the practical applications of research, whereas PhD programs tend to focus more on theoretical applications. DBA programs focus on preparing students for solving real-world problems facing management. PhD programs focus on the economic and behavioral underpinnings in research. The skills learned in each program are similar, but graduates from DBA programs may be more inclined to enter the private sector and not stay in academia, than will graduates from PhD programs.

==External Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Business_Administration Wikipedia: DBA] - This page provides basic information about DBAs.
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|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[Should I get a Ph.D. in a subject area other than accounting?]]</small>
|}

Should I get a Ph.D. in a subject area other than accounting?

2024-12-28T15:17:45Z

Jeffrey9: /* How do I know that I'm interested in one of the Management fields? */

Although the purpose of this website is to help potential doctoral students to receive a Ph.D. in accounting, there are still viable reasons for choosing an area of specialty other than accounting. For many people, a Ph.D. in accounting may be too focused (i.e. their research interests may lie outside of the typical accounting research streams). Ultimately, the potential academic should weigh other options carefully to determine the path that will lead to both career and personal success. Most importantly, you should choose a research and teaching concentration that can sustain your intellectual drive and passion.

===Should I get a PhD in Management (Organizational Behavior, Strategy, or Organizational Theory)?===

This section provides information on PhD programs in Management, which includes the fields of Organizational Behavior, Strategy, and Organizational Theory. Business schools also offer doctoral programs in Finance, Operations Management, and Marketing--which are NOT discussed in this section. Consider this a very basic primer on the field of Management.

''Organizational Behavior'': If you are mostly interested in how individuals or teams are affected by or affect organizations, then you may consider getting a PhD in OB. Some important topics (among very many!) in this field include employee satisfaction, conflict between individuals and within teams, individual decision-making, organizational citizenship behavior, team effectiveness, etc. Much of the auditor decision-making research in Accounting is a sister-discipline of OB--that is, accounting scholars apply many of the same theories used in OB to the context of auditing. Both disciplines build upon theories from psychology and social psychology and apply it to individuals and groups within organizations.

''Strategy'': If you are mostly interested in firm performance, then a PhD in Strategy may be right for you. Scholars in strategy typically focus on actions/events that affect some type of performance (e.g. profitability, operational effectiveness, survival). Some of many important topics include competition, mergers & acquisitions, alliances, corporate governance, international expansion, executive leadership, etc. Strategy research draws from many basic disciplines--especially economics, sociology, and political science. Many scholars in strategy focus on special topics such as entrepreneurship, international business, or ethics.

''Organizational Theory'': If you are mostly interested in what organizations are and how they function, perhaps a PhD in OT is for you. Scholars interested in OT study topics such as organizational change, optimal organizational structure, decision-making in organizations, and much more. In most cases, Business School do not offer a specific program in OT. Instead, scholars apply theories and concepts from OT to OB or Strategy. Thus, it is common to talk about "micro OT"--which focuses on groups and individuals in organizations and is studied by people who do OB--and "macro OT"--which focuses on the organization as the unit of analysis and is studied by people who do Strategy and related work.

Some Business Schools house all three sub-disciplines in one department that focuses on Management & Organizations. Other schools have separate departments for 'Organizations' (including OT and OB) and 'Strategy'. What type of department to apply to depends on your research interests. The best thing you can do is talk to some kind of mentor/professor with whom you are working.

===How do I know that I'm interested in one of the Management fields?===

The following below relates the experience of one PhD Prep alum as they explored whether they would be more interested in a management field than accounting:

While in the PhD Prep Track, I quickly realized two things. First, I wanted to get a PhD because I liked teaching and research. Second, I did not like accounting research but was interested in management. The harder question was, "how do I know if I want to study Strategy or OB"? Many times research in different areas of management overlaps, and the field is much broader than accounting, so it's easy to be confused about where you fit best.

The best advice I received to answer this question was the following. Go to the most recent editions of the major journals in each field of study and read the title and abstract of the articles. Make a list of the articles that seem most interesting to you, and then discuss that list with someone familiar with research in management (a current PhD student or professor) and with someone in accounting. That should give you a good idea of where your interests lie. Some of the major journals in the field of Management include:

Administrative Science Quarterly (OT, OB, Strategy)
Strategic Management Journal (Strategy)
Journal of Applied Psychology (OB)
Academy of Management Journal (OT, OB, Strategy)
Academy of Management Review (OT, OB, Strategy)
Management Science (OT, OB, Strategy--also includes Operations Management research)
Organization Science (OT, OB, Strategy)
Journal of International Business Studies (Strategy, OT, and OB applied to international contexts)

Once you get a general idea of your field of interest, the best thing to do is to get a job as an RA with a professor doing research in your broad area of interest. This helps you make sure you want to pursue a PhD outside of Accounting and also serves as a great experience to demonstrate your true interest in your applications.

===What do I lose by switching from accounting to another field of study?===

The most important factor in deciding your field of study should be your research and teaching interests. If you can't envision yourself teaching or doing accounting research, you should clearly NOT pursue a PhD in accounting. However, assuming you are on the fence or have decided to pursue a different field, it helps to be aware of some of the costs of pursuing a different field of study.

# You give up some of the "halo" of coming out of the PhD Prep Track. The prep track is very well known in accounting PhD programs and, all else equal, gives you a premium in the eyes of admissions committees. Other departments may know less about the quality of BYU's accounting program and the PhD prep track. You can partially compensate for this by describing your unique training in the PhD Prep Track in your statement of purpose of by having someone familiar with the track write you a letter of recommendation.
# The accounting network that you join as part of the Ph.D. track will provide limited benefits to your career in another discipline.
# Salaries in other fields may be lower and finding a job can be harder. Accounting professor salaries are amongst the highest in Business Schools, perhaps only topped by Finance salaries. Other fields tend to pay slightly less. However, all Business School professors make excellent salaries (typically in the 100,000's). Talk to existing professors about this. The market for other disciplines is different than accounting. Some disciplines, such as information systems and management, are very saturated while Finance may have greater demand than even accounting.
# You may have to become familiar with a new area of knowledge (minor concern). You get an outstanding accounting education at BYU, which makes you familiar with the accounting profession and with the "language" of accounting in general. If, for example, you choose to get a PhD in marketing, you may need to learn a new "language". However, this generally should not be a basic concern if you are applying for a PhD in some business-related field. The general courses you took a the Marriott School provide enough of a primer so that you can learn quickly.

===Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) or PhD?===

Some doctoral business programs around the country offer a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) rather than a specific PhD in accounting. Many [[University Information|research intensive programs]] award a DBA to their doctoral students who choose to specialize or concentrate in accounting. Because emphasis is put on learning the skills to research effectively, many seminars for doctoral students include students from all concentrations. You may share graduate courses with students who are specializing in economics, finance, organizational behavior, marketing, etc.

Although the academic community may not differentiate between those with DBAs and those with PhDs for hiring practices, some subtle differences may exist in program outlines. Institutions offering DBAs focus more on the practical applications of research, whereas PhD programs tend to focus more on theoretical applications. DBA programs focus on preparing students for solving real-world problems facing management. PhD programs focus on the economic and behavioral underpinnings in research. The skills learned in each program are similar, but graduates from DBA programs may be more inclined to enter the private sector and not stay in academia, than will graduates from PhD programs.

==External Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Business_Administration Wikipedia: DBA] - This page provides basic information about DBAs.
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|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[Should I get a Ph.D. in a subject area other than accounting?]]</small>
|}

Should I get a Ph.D. in a subject area other than accounting?

2024-12-28T15:15:28Z

Jeffrey9: /* What do I lose by switching from Accounting to another field of study? */

Although the purpose of this website is to help potential doctoral students to receive a Ph.D. in accounting, there are still viable reasons for choosing an area of specialty other than accounting. For many people, a Ph.D. in accounting may be too focused (i.e. their research interests may lie outside of the typical accounting research streams). Ultimately, the potential academic should weigh other options carefully to determine the path that will lead to both career and personal success. Most importantly, you should choose a research and teaching concentration that can sustain your intellectual drive and passion.

===Should I get a PhD in Management (Organizational Behavior, Strategy, or Organizational Theory)?===

This section provides information on PhD programs in Management, which includes the fields of Organizational Behavior, Strategy, and Organizational Theory. Business schools also offer doctoral programs in Finance, Operations Management, and Marketing--which are NOT discussed in this section. Consider this a very basic primer on the field of Management.

''Organizational Behavior'': If you are mostly interested in how individuals or teams are affected by or affect organizations, then you may consider getting a PhD in OB. Some important topics (among very many!) in this field include employee satisfaction, conflict between individuals and within teams, individual decision-making, organizational citizenship behavior, team effectiveness, etc. Much of the auditor decision-making research in Accounting is a sister-discipline of OB--that is, accounting scholars apply many of the same theories used in OB to the context of auditing. Both disciplines build upon theories from psychology and social psychology and apply it to individuals and groups within organizations.

''Strategy'': If you are mostly interested in firm performance, then a PhD in Strategy may be right for you. Scholars in strategy typically focus on actions/events that affect some type of performance (e.g. profitability, operational effectiveness, survival). Some of many important topics include competition, mergers & acquisitions, alliances, corporate governance, international expansion, executive leadership, etc. Strategy research draws from many basic disciplines--especially economics, sociology, and political science. Many scholars in strategy focus on special topics such as entrepreneurship, international business, or ethics.

''Organizational Theory'': If you are mostly interested in what organizations are and how they function, perhaps a PhD in OT is for you. Scholars interested in OT study topics such as organizational change, optimal organizational structure, decision-making in organizations, and much more. In most cases, Business School do not offer a specific program in OT. Instead, scholars apply theories and concepts from OT to OB or Strategy. Thus, it is common to talk about "micro OT"--which focuses on groups and individuals in organizations and is studied by people who do OB--and "macro OT"--which focuses on the organization as the unit of analysis and is studied by people who do Strategy and related work.

Some Business Schools house all three sub-disciplines in one department that focuses on Management & Organizations. Other schools have separate departments for 'Organizations' (including OT and OB) and 'Strategy'. What type of department to apply to depends on your research interests. The best thing you can do is talk to some kind of mentor/professor with whom you are working.

===How do I know that I'm interested in one of the Management fields?===

While in the PhD Prep Track, I quickly realized two things. First, I wanted to get a PhD because I liked teaching and research. Second, I did not like accounting research but was interested in Management. The harder question was, "how do I know if I want to study Strategy or OB"? Many times research in different areas of Management overlaps, and the field is much broader than Accounting, so it's easy to be confused about where you fit best.

The best advice I received to answer this question was the following. Go to the most recent editions of the major journals in each field of study and read the title and abstract of the articles. Make a list of the articles that seem most interesting to you, and then discuss that list with someone familiar with research in Management (a current PhD student or professor) and with someone in Accounting. That should give you a good idea of where your interests lie. Some of the major journals in the field of Management include:

Administrative Science Quarterly (OT, OB, Strategy)
Strategic Management Journal (Strategy)
Journal of Applied Psychology (OB)
Academy of Management Journal (OT, OB, Strategy)
Academy of Management Review (OT, OB, Strategy)
Management Science (OT, OB, Strategy--also includes Operations Management research)
Organization Science (OT, OB, Strategy)
Journal of International Business Studies (Strategy, OT, and OB applied to international contexts)

Once you get a general idea of your field of interest, the best thing to do is to get a job as an RA with a professor doing research in your broad area of interest. This helps you make sure you want to pursue a PhD outside of Accounting and also serves as a great experience to demonstrate your true interest in your applications.

===What do I lose by switching from accounting to another field of study?===

The most important factor in deciding your field of study should be your research and teaching interests. If you can't envision yourself teaching or doing accounting research, you should clearly NOT pursue a PhD in accounting. However, assuming you are on the fence or have decided to pursue a different field, it helps to be aware of some of the costs of pursuing a different field of study.

# You give up some of the "halo" of coming out of the PhD Prep Track. The prep track is very well known in accounting PhD programs and, all else equal, gives you a premium in the eyes of admissions committees. Other departments may know less about the quality of BYU's accounting program and the PhD prep track. You can partially compensate for this by describing your unique training in the PhD Prep Track in your statement of purpose of by having someone familiar with the track write you a letter of recommendation.
# The accounting network that you join as part of the Ph.D. track will provide limited benefits to your career in another discipline.
# Salaries in other fields may be lower and finding a job can be harder. Accounting professor salaries are amongst the highest in Business Schools, perhaps only topped by Finance salaries. Other fields tend to pay slightly less. However, all Business School professors make excellent salaries (typically in the 100,000's). Talk to existing professors about this. The market for other disciplines is different than accounting. Some disciplines, such as information systems and management, are very saturated while Finance may have greater demand than even accounting.
# You may have to become familiar with a new area of knowledge (minor concern). You get an outstanding accounting education at BYU, which makes you familiar with the accounting profession and with the "language" of accounting in general. If, for example, you choose to get a PhD in marketing, you may need to learn a new "language". However, this generally should not be a basic concern if you are applying for a PhD in some business-related field. The general courses you took a the Marriott School provide enough of a primer so that you can learn quickly.

===Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) or PhD?===

Some doctoral business programs around the country offer a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) rather than a specific PhD in accounting. Many [[University Information|research intensive programs]] award a DBA to their doctoral students who choose to specialize or concentrate in accounting. Because emphasis is put on learning the skills to research effectively, many seminars for doctoral students include students from all concentrations. You may share graduate courses with students who are specializing in economics, finance, organizational behavior, marketing, etc.

Although the academic community may not differentiate between those with DBAs and those with PhDs for hiring practices, some subtle differences may exist in program outlines. Institutions offering DBAs focus more on the practical applications of research, whereas PhD programs tend to focus more on theoretical applications. DBA programs focus on preparing students for solving real-world problems facing management. PhD programs focus on the economic and behavioral underpinnings in research. The skills learned in each program are similar, but graduates from DBA programs may be more inclined to enter the private sector and not stay in academia, than will graduates from PhD programs.

==External Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Business_Administration Wikipedia: DBA] - This page provides basic information about DBAs.
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[Should I get a Ph.D. in a subject area other than accounting?]]</small>
|}

Should I get a Ph.D. in a subject area other than accounting?

2024-12-28T15:13:29Z

Jeffrey9: /* Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) or PhD? */

Although the purpose of this website is to help potential doctoral students to receive a Ph.D. in accounting, there are still viable reasons for choosing an area of specialty other than accounting. For many people, a Ph.D. in accounting may be too focused (i.e. their research interests may lie outside of the typical accounting research streams). Ultimately, the potential academic should weigh other options carefully to determine the path that will lead to both career and personal success. Most importantly, you should choose a research and teaching concentration that can sustain your intellectual drive and passion.

===Should I get a PhD in Management (Organizational Behavior, Strategy, or Organizational Theory)?===

This section provides information on PhD programs in Management, which includes the fields of Organizational Behavior, Strategy, and Organizational Theory. Business schools also offer doctoral programs in Finance, Operations Management, and Marketing--which are NOT discussed in this section. Consider this a very basic primer on the field of Management.

''Organizational Behavior'': If you are mostly interested in how individuals or teams are affected by or affect organizations, then you may consider getting a PhD in OB. Some important topics (among very many!) in this field include employee satisfaction, conflict between individuals and within teams, individual decision-making, organizational citizenship behavior, team effectiveness, etc. Much of the auditor decision-making research in Accounting is a sister-discipline of OB--that is, accounting scholars apply many of the same theories used in OB to the context of auditing. Both disciplines build upon theories from psychology and social psychology and apply it to individuals and groups within organizations.

''Strategy'': If you are mostly interested in firm performance, then a PhD in Strategy may be right for you. Scholars in strategy typically focus on actions/events that affect some type of performance (e.g. profitability, operational effectiveness, survival). Some of many important topics include competition, mergers & acquisitions, alliances, corporate governance, international expansion, executive leadership, etc. Strategy research draws from many basic disciplines--especially economics, sociology, and political science. Many scholars in strategy focus on special topics such as entrepreneurship, international business, or ethics.

''Organizational Theory'': If you are mostly interested in what organizations are and how they function, perhaps a PhD in OT is for you. Scholars interested in OT study topics such as organizational change, optimal organizational structure, decision-making in organizations, and much more. In most cases, Business School do not offer a specific program in OT. Instead, scholars apply theories and concepts from OT to OB or Strategy. Thus, it is common to talk about "micro OT"--which focuses on groups and individuals in organizations and is studied by people who do OB--and "macro OT"--which focuses on the organization as the unit of analysis and is studied by people who do Strategy and related work.

Some Business Schools house all three sub-disciplines in one department that focuses on Management & Organizations. Other schools have separate departments for 'Organizations' (including OT and OB) and 'Strategy'. What type of department to apply to depends on your research interests. The best thing you can do is talk to some kind of mentor/professor with whom you are working.

===How do I know that I'm interested in one of the Management fields?===

While in the PhD Prep Track, I quickly realized two things. First, I wanted to get a PhD because I liked teaching and research. Second, I did not like accounting research but was interested in Management. The harder question was, "how do I know if I want to study Strategy or OB"? Many times research in different areas of Management overlaps, and the field is much broader than Accounting, so it's easy to be confused about where you fit best.

The best advice I received to answer this question was the following. Go to the most recent editions of the major journals in each field of study and read the title and abstract of the articles. Make a list of the articles that seem most interesting to you, and then discuss that list with someone familiar with research in Management (a current PhD student or professor) and with someone in Accounting. That should give you a good idea of where your interests lie. Some of the major journals in the field of Management include:

Administrative Science Quarterly (OT, OB, Strategy)
Strategic Management Journal (Strategy)
Journal of Applied Psychology (OB)
Academy of Management Journal (OT, OB, Strategy)
Academy of Management Review (OT, OB, Strategy)
Management Science (OT, OB, Strategy--also includes Operations Management research)
Organization Science (OT, OB, Strategy)
Journal of International Business Studies (Strategy, OT, and OB applied to international contexts)

Once you get a general idea of your field of interest, the best thing to do is to get a job as an RA with a professor doing research in your broad area of interest. This helps you make sure you want to pursue a PhD outside of Accounting and also serves as a great experience to demonstrate your true interest in your applications.

===What do I lose by switching from Accounting to another field of study?===

The most important factor in deciding your field of study should be your research and teaching interests. If you can't envision yourself teaching or doing accounting research, you should clearly NOT pursue a PhD in Accounting. However, assuming you are on the fence or have decided to pursue a different field, it helps to be aware of some of the costs of pursuing a different field of study.

# You give up some of the "halo" of coming out of the PhD Prep Track. The prep track is very well known in Accounting PhD programs and, all else equal, gives you a premium in the eyes of admissions committees. Other departments (e.g. Management) may know less about the quality of BYU's accounting program and the PhD prep track. You can partially compensate for this by describing your unique training in the PhD Prep Track in your statement of purpose of by having someone familiar with the track write you a letter of recommendation.
# The accounting network that you join as part of the Ph.D. track will provide limited benefits to your career in another discipline.
# Salaries in other fields may be lower and finding a job can be harder. Accounting professor salaries are amongst the highest in Business Schools, perhaps only topped by Finance salaries. Other fields tend to pay slightly less. However, all Business School professors make excellent salaries (typically in the 100,000's). Talk to existing professors about this. The market for other disciplines is different than accounting. Some disciplines such as Information Systems is very saturated while Finance may have greater demand than even accounting.
# You may have to become familiar with a new area of knowledge (minor concern). You get an outstanding Accounting education at BYU, which makes you familiar with the accounting profession and with the "language" of accounting in general. If, for example, you choose to get a PhD in marketing, you may need to learn a new "language". However, this generally should not be a basic concern if you are applying for a PhD in some business-related field. The general courses you took a the Marriott School provide enough of a primer so that you can learn quickly.

===Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) or PhD?===

Some doctoral business programs around the country offer a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) rather than a specific PhD in accounting. Many [[University Information|research intensive programs]] award a DBA to their doctoral students who choose to specialize or concentrate in accounting. Because emphasis is put on learning the skills to research effectively, many seminars for doctoral students include students from all concentrations. You may share graduate courses with students who are specializing in economics, finance, organizational behavior, marketing, etc.

Although the academic community may not differentiate between those with DBAs and those with PhDs for hiring practices, some subtle differences may exist in program outlines. Institutions offering DBAs focus more on the practical applications of research, whereas PhD programs tend to focus more on theoretical applications. DBA programs focus on preparing students for solving real-world problems facing management. PhD programs focus on the economic and behavioral underpinnings in research. The skills learned in each program are similar, but graduates from DBA programs may be more inclined to enter the private sector and not stay in academia, than will graduates from PhD programs.

==External Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Business_Administration Wikipedia: DBA] - This page provides basic information about DBAs.
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[Should I get a Ph.D. in a subject area other than accounting?]]</small>
|}

Should I get a Ph.D. in a subject area other than accounting?

2024-12-28T15:12:56Z

Jeffrey9: /* External Links */

Although the purpose of this website is to help potential doctoral students to receive a Ph.D. in accounting, there are still viable reasons for choosing an area of specialty other than accounting. For many people, a Ph.D. in accounting may be too focused (i.e. their research interests may lie outside of the typical accounting research streams). Ultimately, the potential academic should weigh other options carefully to determine the path that will lead to both career and personal success. Most importantly, you should choose a research and teaching concentration that can sustain your intellectual drive and passion.

===Should I get a PhD in Management (Organizational Behavior, Strategy, or Organizational Theory)?===

This section provides information on PhD programs in Management, which includes the fields of Organizational Behavior, Strategy, and Organizational Theory. Business schools also offer doctoral programs in Finance, Operations Management, and Marketing--which are NOT discussed in this section. Consider this a very basic primer on the field of Management.

''Organizational Behavior'': If you are mostly interested in how individuals or teams are affected by or affect organizations, then you may consider getting a PhD in OB. Some important topics (among very many!) in this field include employee satisfaction, conflict between individuals and within teams, individual decision-making, organizational citizenship behavior, team effectiveness, etc. Much of the auditor decision-making research in Accounting is a sister-discipline of OB--that is, accounting scholars apply many of the same theories used in OB to the context of auditing. Both disciplines build upon theories from psychology and social psychology and apply it to individuals and groups within organizations.

''Strategy'': If you are mostly interested in firm performance, then a PhD in Strategy may be right for you. Scholars in strategy typically focus on actions/events that affect some type of performance (e.g. profitability, operational effectiveness, survival). Some of many important topics include competition, mergers & acquisitions, alliances, corporate governance, international expansion, executive leadership, etc. Strategy research draws from many basic disciplines--especially economics, sociology, and political science. Many scholars in strategy focus on special topics such as entrepreneurship, international business, or ethics.

''Organizational Theory'': If you are mostly interested in what organizations are and how they function, perhaps a PhD in OT is for you. Scholars interested in OT study topics such as organizational change, optimal organizational structure, decision-making in organizations, and much more. In most cases, Business School do not offer a specific program in OT. Instead, scholars apply theories and concepts from OT to OB or Strategy. Thus, it is common to talk about "micro OT"--which focuses on groups and individuals in organizations and is studied by people who do OB--and "macro OT"--which focuses on the organization as the unit of analysis and is studied by people who do Strategy and related work.

Some Business Schools house all three sub-disciplines in one department that focuses on Management & Organizations. Other schools have separate departments for 'Organizations' (including OT and OB) and 'Strategy'. What type of department to apply to depends on your research interests. The best thing you can do is talk to some kind of mentor/professor with whom you are working.

===How do I know that I'm interested in one of the Management fields?===

While in the PhD Prep Track, I quickly realized two things. First, I wanted to get a PhD because I liked teaching and research. Second, I did not like accounting research but was interested in Management. The harder question was, "how do I know if I want to study Strategy or OB"? Many times research in different areas of Management overlaps, and the field is much broader than Accounting, so it's easy to be confused about where you fit best.

The best advice I received to answer this question was the following. Go to the most recent editions of the major journals in each field of study and read the title and abstract of the articles. Make a list of the articles that seem most interesting to you, and then discuss that list with someone familiar with research in Management (a current PhD student or professor) and with someone in Accounting. That should give you a good idea of where your interests lie. Some of the major journals in the field of Management include:

Administrative Science Quarterly (OT, OB, Strategy)
Strategic Management Journal (Strategy)
Journal of Applied Psychology (OB)
Academy of Management Journal (OT, OB, Strategy)
Academy of Management Review (OT, OB, Strategy)
Management Science (OT, OB, Strategy--also includes Operations Management research)
Organization Science (OT, OB, Strategy)
Journal of International Business Studies (Strategy, OT, and OB applied to international contexts)

Once you get a general idea of your field of interest, the best thing to do is to get a job as an RA with a professor doing research in your broad area of interest. This helps you make sure you want to pursue a PhD outside of Accounting and also serves as a great experience to demonstrate your true interest in your applications.

===What do I lose by switching from Accounting to another field of study?===

The most important factor in deciding your field of study should be your research and teaching interests. If you can't envision yourself teaching or doing accounting research, you should clearly NOT pursue a PhD in Accounting. However, assuming you are on the fence or have decided to pursue a different field, it helps to be aware of some of the costs of pursuing a different field of study.

# You give up some of the "halo" of coming out of the PhD Prep Track. The prep track is very well known in Accounting PhD programs and, all else equal, gives you a premium in the eyes of admissions committees. Other departments (e.g. Management) may know less about the quality of BYU's accounting program and the PhD prep track. You can partially compensate for this by describing your unique training in the PhD Prep Track in your statement of purpose of by having someone familiar with the track write you a letter of recommendation.
# The accounting network that you join as part of the Ph.D. track will provide limited benefits to your career in another discipline.
# Salaries in other fields may be lower and finding a job can be harder. Accounting professor salaries are amongst the highest in Business Schools, perhaps only topped by Finance salaries. Other fields tend to pay slightly less. However, all Business School professors make excellent salaries (typically in the 100,000's). Talk to existing professors about this. The market for other disciplines is different than accounting. Some disciplines such as Information Systems is very saturated while Finance may have greater demand than even accounting.
# You may have to become familiar with a new area of knowledge (minor concern). You get an outstanding Accounting education at BYU, which makes you familiar with the accounting profession and with the "language" of accounting in general. If, for example, you choose to get a PhD in marketing, you may need to learn a new "language". However, this generally should not be a basic concern if you are applying for a PhD in some business-related field. The general courses you took a the Marriott School provide enough of a primer so that you can learn quickly.

===Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) or PhD?===

Many doctoral business programs around the country offer a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) rather than a specific PhD in accounting. Many [[University Information|research intensive programs]] award a DBA to their doctoral students who choose to specialize or concentrate in accounting. Because emphasis is put on learning the skills to research effectively, many seminars for doctoral students include students from all concentrations. You may share graduate courses with students who are specializing in economics, finance, organizational behavior, marketing, etc.

Although the academic community may not differentiate between those with DBAs and those with PhDs for hiring practices, some subtle differences may exist in program outlines. Institutions offering DBAs focus more on the practical applications of research, whereas PhD programs tend to focus more on theoretical applications. DBA programs focus on preparing students for solving real-world problems facing management. PhD programs focus on the economic and behavioral underpinnings in research. The skills learned in each program are similar, but graduates from DBA programs may be more inclined to enter the private sector and not stay in academia, than will graduates from PhD programs.

==External Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Business_Administration Wikipedia: DBA] - This page provides basic information about DBAs.
----
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|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[Should I get a Ph.D. in a subject area other than accounting?]]</small>
|}

Undergraduate Accounting and Economics Dual Major

2024-12-28T15:07:10Z

Jeffrey9: /* Undergraduate Economics Major */

If you really like Economics, so much so that you are willing to spend your spring and summer studying for Economics courses, you might consider a dual undergraduate degree in accounting and economics.

==Undergraduate Economics Major==
===Why Get It?===
* Particularly for capital markets research, an economics undergraduate degree can provide an education in theories, concepts, and tools used in capital markets research.

===Requirements===
* [https://catalog.byu.edu/programs/34561 Economics Major Requirements]

===Application Instructions===
* Review the requirements for the Economics Undergraduate Degree available through the [https://catalog.byu.edu/programs/34561 Course Catalog]
* Complete your [https://enrollment.byu.edu/registrar/mymap Grad Plan] to map out all of the classes you will take and have it approved by the Ph.D. prep program coordinator. This is then submitted to Julie Averett.
* Obtain an Economics Undergraduate Degree application from the Family Home and Social Science [https://liberalarts.byu.edu/ College Advisement Center] in the basement of the Kimball Tower. You will need to indicate on the application which qualifying Economics classes you will take each semester.
* Submit your application to the [https://marriott.byu.edu/advisement/ Marriott School Undergraduate Advisement Center] for processing.

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|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[What classes should I take?]] ► [[Undergraduate Accounting and Economics Dual Major]]</small>
|}

Undergraduate Economics Minor

2024-12-28T15:01:13Z

Jeffrey9: /* Application Instructions */

If you complete the Economics course requirements for the PhD Prep track you will easily qualify for the Undergraduate Economics Minor. If you decide to go spring and summer you could also get a dual undergraduate degree in accounting and economics [[Undergraduate Accounting and Economics Dual Major]]

==Economics Minor==
===Why Get It?===
* You earned it.

===Requirements===
* [https://catalog.byu.edu/programs/34035 Economics Minor Requirements]

===Application Instructions===
* Use [http://mymap.byu.edu/ MyMap] to map out all of the classes you will take and have it approved by Dr. Prawitt. This is then submitted to Julie Averett.
* Obtain an Economics Minor application from the Family Home and Social Science [https://liberalarts.byu.edu/explore-majors-minors College Advisement Center] in the basement of the Kimball Tower. You will need to indicate on the application which qualifying Economics classes you will take each semester.
* Submit your application to the [https://marriott.byu.edu/advisement/center/contact/ Marriott School Undergraduate Advisement Center] for processing.
* Your minor should appear on your MyMap within a few days.

----
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|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[What classes should I take?]] ► [[Undergraduate Economics Minor]]</small>
|}

Undergraduate Economics Minor

2024-12-28T14:40:51Z

Jeffrey9: /* Requirements */

If you complete the Economics course requirements for the PhD Prep track you will easily qualify for the Undergraduate Economics Minor. If you decide to go spring and summer you could also get a dual undergraduate degree in accounting and economics [[Undergraduate Accounting and Economics Dual Major]]

==Economics Minor==
===Why Get It?===
* You earned it.

===Requirements===
* [https://catalog.byu.edu/programs/34035 Economics Minor Requirements]

===Application Instructions===
* Complete your [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/soa/curriculum/ Grad Plan] to map out all of the classes you will take and have it approved by Dr. Prawitt. This is then submitted to Julie Averett so it will appear in MyMap (this may be changed in future semesters as the MyMap development project continues).
* Obtain an Economics Minor application from the Family Home and Social Science [http://fhssadv.byu.edu/ College Advisement Center] in the basement of the Kimball Tower. You will need to indicate on the application which qualifying Economics classes you will take each semester.
* Submit your application to the [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/management/ Marriott School Undergraduate Advisement Center] for processing.
* Your minor should appear on your MyMap within a few days.

----
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|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[What classes should I take?]] ► [[Undergraduate Economics Minor]]</small>
|}

What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?

2024-12-28T14:28:07Z

Jeffrey9: /* Course Comparison */

==Introduction==
Many students who enter the Ph.D. Prep Track [[Why I didn't get a Ph.D.|choose not to pursue]] doctoral studies for many reasons following completion of the MAcc Program at BYU. For that reason, some may wonder about the benefits of the Ph.D. Prep Track, which is an integral part of the Professional and Tax Routes at BYU, as compared with the more general approach taken by most students in the MAcc Program.

==Learning Outcomes==
BYU has published the expected learning outcomes for both the [https://learningoutcomes.byu.edu/Courses/program-courses/232667/Professional+Accountancy+MACC+/1039 professional] and [https://learningoutcomes.byu.edu/Courses/program-courses/232666/Tax+MACC+/1039_MAcc tax] stems.

==Course Comparison==
The official list of courses can be found on the [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/ Marriott School] website. The class requirements differ for the professional (auditing) stem students (requirements listed [https://marriott.byu.edu/acc/macc/stems/professional/ here]), tax stem students (requirements listed [https://marriott.byu.edu/acc/macc/stems/tax/ here]), and PhD Prep (tax and professional stem) (requirements listed [https://marriott.byu.edu/acc/macc/options/phdprep/ here]).

The following table displays required courses for completion of the MAcc Program and compares each specific option to the other available options in the program. This schedule is flexible and can be customized based on feedback from the Prep track coordinator and individual students. To help you determine what classes will help with each research methodology, some [[What classes should I take?|recommendations]] are offered on what classes to take beyond the basic Prep Track requirements. See the [[Main Page|Ph.D. prep track]] program coordinator to discuss specifics about courses.

<big>'''Course Comparison between the Tax and Professional Routes'''</big>

{|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''MSM Graduate Core'''||||||||||||
|-
| Finance||BUS M 520||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Operations Management||BUS M 530||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Organizational Behavior||BUS M 540||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Marketing Management||BUS M 550||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| ||||||<div style="text-align: center;">12.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">12.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">12.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">12.0</div>

|-
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''General SOA/Management'''||||||||||||
|-
| Money, Banking, & Business||ACC 453||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Strategic Management||BUS M 581||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Ethics, Business, & Society||BUS M 582||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| ||||||<div style="text-align: center;">9.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">6.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">9.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">6.0</div>

|-
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''General Accounting - Professional'''||||||||||||
|-
| Research Seminar||ACC 515||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| Advanced Taxation||ACC 522||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| <small>Advanced Data Analytics</small>||ACC 525||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||
|-
| Advanced Financial Statement Auditing||ACC 530||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||
|-
| Advanced Managerial Accounting||ACC 531||<div style="text-align: center;">1.5</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||
|-
| <small>Advanced Professional Financial Accounting</small>||ACC 540||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||
|-
| Financial Statement Analysis||ACC 541||<div style="text-align: center;">1.5</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||
|-
| Professional Accounting Elective 1||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| Professional Accounting Elective 2||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| Finance Elective||MBA 621-628||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| Elective 1||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| Elective 2||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| ||||||<div style="text-align: center;">33.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">12.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">-</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">-</div>

|-
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''General Accounting - Tax'''||||||||||||
|-
| Advanced Financial Accounting||ACC 503||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Advanced Taxation '''<u>OR</u>'''||ACC 522||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Tax Research Methodology||ACC 523||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Special Problems in Federal Taxation||ACC 560||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Corporate Taxation I||ACC 561||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Corporate Taxation II||ACC 562||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Taxation of Partnerships||ACC 563||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| <small>Accounting Methods and Accounting for Income Taxes</small>||ACC 566||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Federal Income Taxation||MBA 602||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Tax Elective 1||ACC 5xx||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Tax Elective 2||ACC 5xx||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Elective 1 ||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Elective 2 ||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Elective 3 ||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| ||||||<div style="text-align: center;">-</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">-</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">33.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">12.0</div>

|-
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''General Ph.D. Prep Courses'''||||||||||||
|-
| Introduction to Academic Research||ACC 516||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Academic Research Applications||ACC 517||<div style="text-align: center;">1.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Readings & Conference||ACC 591R||<div style="text-align: center;">2.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Statistical Methods for Research I||STAT 511||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Statistical Methods for Research II '''<u>OR</u>'''||STAT 512||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Advanced Econometrics||ECON 588||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Statistics for Economists||ECON 378||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Intermediate Price Theory I||ECON 380||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Intermediate Macroeconomics||ECON 381||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Introduction to Econometrics||ECON 388||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| ||||||<div style="text-align: center;">-</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">24.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">-</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">24.0</div>

|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''Total Credits'''||||||'''<div style="text-align: center;">54.0</div>'''||'''<div style="text-align: center;">54.0</div>'''||'''<div style="text-align: center;">54.0</div>'''||'''<div style="text-align: center;">54.0</div>'''
|-
|
|}

A couple notes about the table:
* Make sure to review the updated course list from the accounting department before adding classes to your schedule.
* The Ph.D. Prep Track is an integral part of each of the Professional and Tax Routes. The major differences as shown in the table are the substitution of certain professional and tax electives for additional courses in economics and statistics.
* Tax students may also choose between taking Advanced Taxation (Acc 522) and Tax Research Methodology (Acc 523).
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[Ph.D. Prep Track and Doctoral Student Q&A]] ► [[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?]]</small>
|}

What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?

2024-12-28T14:23:36Z

Jeffrey9: /* Course Comparison */

==Introduction==
Many students who enter the Ph.D. Prep Track [[Why I didn't get a Ph.D.|choose not to pursue]] doctoral studies for many reasons following completion of the MAcc Program at BYU. For that reason, some may wonder about the benefits of the Ph.D. Prep Track, which is an integral part of the Professional and Tax Routes at BYU, as compared with the more general approach taken by most students in the MAcc Program.

==Learning Outcomes==
BYU has published the expected learning outcomes for both the [https://learningoutcomes.byu.edu/Courses/program-courses/232667/Professional+Accountancy+MACC+/1039 professional] and [https://learningoutcomes.byu.edu/Courses/program-courses/232666/Tax+MACC+/1039_MAcc tax] stems.

==Course Comparison==
The official list of courses can be found on the [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/ Marriott School] website. The class requirements differ for the professional (auditing) stem students (requirements listed [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/macc/pdf/pro_acc_outline.pdf here]) and tax stem students (requirements listed [http://marriottschool.byu.edu/macc/pdf/tax_pro.pdf here]).

The following table displays required courses for completion of the MAcc Program and compares each specific option to the other available options in the program. This schedule is flexible and can be customized based on feedback from the Prep track coordinator and individual students. To help you determine what classes will help with each research methodology, some [[What classes should I take?|recommendations]] are offered on what classes to take beyond the basic Prep Track requirements. See the [[Main Page|Ph.D. prep track]] program coordinator to discuss specifics about courses.

<big>'''Course Comparison between the Tax and Professional Routes'''</big>

{|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''MSM Graduate Core'''||||||||||||
|-
| Finance||BUS M 520||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Operations Management||BUS M 530||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Organizational Behavior||BUS M 540||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Marketing Management||BUS M 550||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| ||||||<div style="text-align: center;">12.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">12.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">12.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">12.0</div>

|-
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''General SOA/Management'''||||||||||||
|-
| Money, Banking, & Business||ACC 453||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Strategic Management||BUS M 581||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Ethics, Business, & Society||BUS M 582||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| ||||||<div style="text-align: center;">9.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">6.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">9.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">6.0</div>

|-
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''General Accounting - Professional'''||||||||||||
|-
| Research Seminar||ACC 515||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| Advanced Taxation||ACC 522||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| <small>Advanced Data Analytics</small>||ACC 525||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||
|-
| Advanced Financial Statement Auditing||ACC 530||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||
|-
| Advanced Managerial Accounting||ACC 531||<div style="text-align: center;">1.5</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||
|-
| <small>Advanced Professional Financial Accounting</small>||ACC 540||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||
|-
| Financial Statement Analysis||ACC 541||<div style="text-align: center;">1.5</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||
|-
| Professional Accounting Elective 1||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| Professional Accounting Elective 2||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| Finance Elective||MBA 621-628||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| Elective 1||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| Elective 2||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||||
|-
| ||||||<div style="text-align: center;">33.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">12.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">-</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">-</div>

|-
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''General Accounting - Tax'''||||||||||||
|-
| Advanced Financial Accounting||ACC 503||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Advanced Taxation '''<u>OR</u>'''||ACC 522||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Tax Research Methodology||ACC 523||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Special Problems in Federal Taxation||ACC 560||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Corporate Taxation I||ACC 561||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Corporate Taxation II||ACC 562||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Taxation of Partnerships||ACC 563||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| <small>Accounting Methods and Accounting for Income Taxes</small>||ACC 566||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Federal Income Taxation||MBA 602||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Tax Elective 1||ACC 5xx||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Tax Elective 2||ACC 5xx||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Elective 1 ||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Elective 2 ||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| Elective 3 ||||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||
|-
| ||||||<div style="text-align: center;">-</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">-</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">33.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">12.0</div>

|-
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Course'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|''' Credits'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Pro Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Prof'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Tax Route'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Ph.D. Tax'''
|-
| '''General Ph.D. Prep Courses'''||||||||||||
|-
| Introduction to Academic Research||ACC 516||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Academic Research Applications||ACC 517||<div style="text-align: center;">1.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Readings & Conference||ACC 591R||<div style="text-align: center;">2.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Statistical Methods for Research I||STAT 511||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Statistical Methods for Research II '''<u>OR</u>'''||STAT 512||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Advanced Econometrics||ECON 588||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Statistics for Economists||ECON 378||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Intermediate Price Theory I||ECON 380||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Intermediate Macroeconomics||ECON 381||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| Introduction to Econometrics||ECON 388||<div style="text-align: center;">3.0</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>||||<div style="text-align: center;">x</div>
|-
| ||||||<div style="text-align: center;">-</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">24.0</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">-</div>||<div style="text-align: center;">24.0</div>

|-
| ||||||||||||
|-
| '''Total Credits'''||||||'''<div style="text-align: center;">54.0</div>'''||'''<div style="text-align: center;">54.0</div>'''||'''<div style="text-align: center;">54.0</div>'''||'''<div style="text-align: center;">54.0</div>'''
|-
|
|}

A couple notes about the table:
* Make sure to review the updated course list from the accounting department before adding classes to your schedule.
* The Ph.D. Prep Track is an integral part of each of the Professional and Tax Routes. The major differences as shown in the table are the substitution of certain professional and tax electives for additional courses in economics and statistics.
* Tax students may also choose between taking Advanced Taxation (Acc 522) and Tax Research Methodology (Acc 523).
----
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|-align="center"
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|}

Why I didn't get a Ph.D.

2024-12-28T05:59:03Z

Jeffrey9:

==Jonathan Liljegren's Story==
I guess you could say I had everything going for me to get into a great doctoral program in accounting. I had started working on research with Ted Christensen and Erv Black before I left on my mission gathering data for their Pro-Forma Earnings analysis papers. After the junior core I began working as a research assistant to Steve Glover and worked on a few papers. I had entered the PhD Prep track with every intention of pursuing a doctorate at a university that specialized in behavioral audit, but somewhere things changed. That somewhere was on Highway 101 in San Jose, California.

I had gone to San Jose to work for Ernst & Young during the summer. It was all part of my "Big Plan" to work in audit for a few years before going back to get my PhD (remember that I was an RA for Steve Glover). The only problem was after two weeks of auditing Hewlett Packard I realized on my commute home from Palo Alto on Highway 101 that auditing was not for me. I admit that my dislike for audit doesn't necessarily mean that I couldn't pursue a doctorate in accounting. However, I came to realize that the tools I had been given in this life would be put to greatest use in consulting. More importantly, I believe I would be a more enjoyable person after coming home from a consulting job versus coming home from an audit engagement. It is the old adage "''Choose a profession that you love and you will never work a day in your life.''"

In a way I should have seen it coming. My goal when I graduated from high school was to get my accounting degree from BYU and work as a consultant for Arthur Andersen in the Bay Area. Well, the dream of working for Arthur Andersen is never going to come true. But I did learn a lesson from my experience. As we are accepted to one of the best accounting programs in the ''universe'' we can lose sight of where we really want to go. Let me be clear that I really thought I wanted to be a professor, but the reason I was interested in becoming a professor was because I love to teach and I could do freelance consulting on the side.

===My Advice===
* Auditing, consulting, or investment banking may be better options for you if you find yourself more interested in how the research could be implemented than actually doing the research.
* Consider just getting an economics minor in conjunction with your undergraduate accounting degree if you're not sure about a PhD ([[What will I learn in the Prep Track that I won't learn elsewhere?|course comparison]]). You can socialize with all of the Prep Track students in your economics classes and see if what they are talking about still interests you.
* You don't have to love accounting research or fully understand it at this point, but if the very thought of doing research the rest of your life makes your stomach churn then follow your gut and don't get a doctorate.

==Brad Gibb's Story==
My decision to not pursue a PhD was ''not'' based on a realization that I dislike what is involved in earning a PhD or the future career that it would allow me to have but instead it was based on the fact that I learned that I have other goals, desires, and passions that I enjoy ''more'' than a PhD. I originally entered the accounting program at BYU with no intent of ever being an accountant or getting a CPA. I entered because accounting, as I was told, is the language of business and I wanted to speak that language. I planned on eventually owning and operating a small business of some kind so some firsthand knowledge or the basics of business seemed like it would be useful to me. Additionally, the program was one of the best in the universe.

As I went through the Jr. Core, I was slowly lulled into believing, as one may easily be convinced, that all those with an accounting degree is destined to work for a Big 4 accounting firm. This was a short lived courtship and as soon as the opportunity of a PhD was presented, I was in. I knew I loved teaching, I knew I have the intellectual ability, and (maybe the most important) I didn't hate school. All of these made me think I would be a good candidate. The bonus to all this was the more I was exposed to research the more I enjoyed it.

Only one doubt remained. I knew I had an appetite for what I called ''the adrenaline'' of the business world. I knew I would miss the excitement of working on my own company and enchantment of what is the entrepreneurship spirit. The changing point in my decision began the summer before my last year. I quit my job keeping books for a company and along with my brother and two partners, began investing in real estate. Our small group's holding quickly grew and I began to feel the adrenaline that I was missing in the PhD world. From the investing in real estate, I began to see numerous other opportunities and began to see where I would be most happy. I began again to look outside accounting and realized there are many jobs that would build on the base of accounting I had acquired other skill sets that will eventually prove valuable to me.

Unfortunately, I made the decision to not get a PhD a bit late. It wasn't until the end of the fall semester, while others were preparing to take the GMAT, that I decided not to apply for a PhD. While there are still opportunities for work, most companies recruit for their most desirable jobs during the fall semesters.

At this point, the possibility of my coming back to do a PhD is not likely.

===My Advice===
* '''''Before you start your senior year''''' you need to decide whether or not you will pursue a doctorate degree immediately after graduation. If you wait until winter semester to decide that you don't want to pursue a doctorate program and instead would like to work you will have missed the key recruiting opportunities available in fall semester.
* Remember that your only choices are not between a PhD and the Big 4. Its not even between a PhD and public accounting. You are graduating from one of the premier business programs with many added skills that few other business students possess. There are many jobs in consulting, banking, finance, industry, and more that will build your skills, provide very well for your family, and will still allow you to have a life when you come home from work.
* Any career worth having (PhD included) will require an upfront sacrifice. Any career requires that you put in your time before you get the perks associated with that particular career. Putting in your time at a Big 4 will require 50 to 60 to 70 hrs weeks, and so will the 4 to 5 years that it takes to earn a PhD. Putting in your time at a company to work up the ladder, or at a bank to become a VP or even to start your own company will require a significant sacrifice. It need not consume you, but even a PhD will be 4 to 5 years of long weeks followed by years working hard to earn tenure. I agree with Jonathan. Do what you love and you won't work a day in your life. But don't choose a career because of the work/life balance ''alone''. Don't kid yourself that the PhD road will be easier than others. The thing that makes it easier is that those who make it through love it, not because it requires less of you.

==External Links==
* [http://orgtheory.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/grad-school-rulz-21-when-to-quit/ Grad School Rulz] - This blog makes some interesting points about continuing in a PhD program. Many students wonder if a PhD program is right for them and this blog discusses some of the signs that a PhD program may not be right for you. Specifically, this blog addresses in the relevant decision making process while someone has been in a PhD program for some time of whether to remain in a PhD program or to discontinue doctoral studies.
----
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The GMAT

2024-12-28T05:36:01Z

Jeffrey9:

The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is the standardized test designed to measure a candidate's aptitude for graduate management studies. More than 4,800 programs use the GMAT in their admission process. The test costs $250 each time you take it. MBA.com offers a GMAT Official Starter Kit and two practice exams for free [https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-official-starter-kit-practice-exams-1-and-2-free here].

This page includes some basic information to get you started. For a more comprehensive introduction to the test, go to the [https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/about official GMAT site].

==Test Format==
[[Image:Studying2.jpg|right|400px|link=]]
The GMAT consists of three sections:
# Data Reasoning
# Quantitative Reasoning
# Verbal Reasoning

To find out more about the sections of the GMAT click [https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/about/exam-content here].
The test is administered via computers in approved testing centers and online. The data insights section consists of interpreting information from a variety of sources. The quantitative and verbal reasoning sections are multiple-choice and computer-adaptive, meaning that questions are dynamically selected based on your responses.

Also, in the quantitative and verbal reasoning sections, some questions are trial-questions that are being pretested for future exam use. These questions are unidentified and dispersed throughout the two sections. ''Answers to trial-questions are '''not''' factored into your final score''.

===Data Insights===

The integrated reasoning section consists of five question types: (1) Data Sufficiency, (2)Multi-Source Reasoning, (3)Table Analysis, (4)Graphics Interpretation, and (5)Two-Part Analysis

===Quantitative Reasoning===

The quantitative reasoning section has two kinds of questions: (1) Problem-Solving and (2) Data-Sufficiency.

*''Problem-Solving'' questions, according to mba.com, are questions that "require some knowledge of arithmetic and elementary algebra. Answering these questions correctly relies on logic and analytical skills, not the underlying math skills." There are lots of good guides out there to review the basic math knowledge you need for the test.

===Verbal Reasoning===

The verbal section has three types of questions: (1) Reading Comprehension, (2) Critical Reasoning, and (3) Sentence Correction.

*''Reading Comprehension'' questions measure your understanding of words or statements from reading passages. This section is similar to the Reading Comprehension sections of other standardized tests.

*''Critical Reasoning'' questions measure your ability to construct and evaluate arguments.

'''Tip:''' Spending extra time studying for the verbal section will do more to set you apart from other test-takers since scores are generally lower for the verbal than for the quantitative section. For example a 49/51 in both the verbal and quantitative sections means you performed comparatively better on the verbal section than most students. See the [http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-scoring/your-score-report/what-percentile-rankings-mean.aspx GMAT Percentiles] page to compare scores across exam sections.

==Test Scores==

GMAT scores are valid for five years and range between 205 and 805. The GMAT is not the only criteria that decides [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program|admission into a Ph.D. program]], but it does carry weight. Thus, while a high GMAT score will not guarantee that you are accepted into a given program, a low score can eliminate you from consideration. For most research-intensive universities, a 700 is often considered the "magic number," although the actual benchmark will vary between schools. Schools often state what the minimum or average GMAT score is for their students. Some schools will focus mostly on the score from the quantitative section, while others will also put significant weight on the verbal section. This is because the program will likely require good quantitative skills, but writing skill may determine how likely you are to publish your papers.

==Testing Locations==

Approved testing centers can be found on MBA.com’s [https://www.mba.com/service/testing/appointment-search?_gl=1*mln0ch*_gcl_au*MjA4OTk0NDczMi4xNzM1MzQzMzk2*_ga*Nzc5NDQ5MzkzLjE3MzUzNDMzOTY.*_ga_17FTF2EHH0*MTczNTM2MDQ3OC4yLjEuMTczNTM2MTM0NS4wLjAuMA.. testing center search page]. The closest center to Brigham Young University is in Draper, UT.

==Suggestions for Preparation==

[[Image:Scorebystudyhours.jpg|right|500px|link=]]
===Familiarize Yourself With the Test===

It’s important to know what the test will be like—both the format and the types of questions. Know what time constraints exist for each section and consider what aspects of those constraints will be most difficult for you. Know the various types of questions asked, what makes them challenging, and how the test writers try to trick people. The best way to be familiar with GMAT-style questions is to take practice exams (discussed next). Most GMAT preparation books (e.g. Kaplan) also include examples of each section with several practice problems.

===Take Practice Tests===

This is where you should devote a significant portion of your time. Practice tests help you learn time management, which is critical for performing well on the GMAT. MBA.com has official practice exams that use the same format and technology as the real exam, are considered the most reliable measure of preparation, and are the only source that use questions from real former GMAT exams. You could start by taking one of the two free practice tests available on MBA.com to give you an idea of where you’re at and where you should spend time studying. Once taken, you can take these practice exams again and get new questions from the question bank (though after multiple attempts, you will begin to see some repeated questions).

Some suggest doing 8-10 practice tests. Besides the few official practice exams offered on MBA.com, there are many independent companies that offer GMAT Prep Courses (which include practice exams). Some of these are free, while others come at a price. Reviews of these services can be found at [http://beatthegmat.com beatthegmat.com] and [http://gmatclub.com gmatclub.com]. Practice exams from independent companies are often more difficult than the real GMAT or the practice exams on MBA.com (in part to prepare you for the worst, but also to scare you into paying for their more intensive prep courses).

'''''To reiterate, taking practice tests is the best preparation strategy. Unlike many expensive prep courses claim, there is no "trick" to ace the GMAT.'''''

===Review Key Concepts===

Much of the test covers topics that most people learned in later middle school and high school. Some of these concepts have key components that are easy to forget when they haven't been reviewed or used in several years. Once you’ve taken a practice exam to benchmark where you’re at, spend some time reviewing some of the basic grammatical and mathematical concepts you find you’re a bit rusty on.

If money isn’t an issue and you struggle to be self-motivated/disciplined enough to study on your own, you might consider paying for a prep course. However, many people perform very well without ever paying for a prep course. These prep courses are often not geared toward the median student, not people who are trying to score high enough to get into an elite school.

While paying for prep courses may not be necessary, buying a few good prep books and other materials is very beneficial. [https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-official-guide-2021-ebook-and-online-question-bank The Official Guide] (you should be able to find the current year with a quick Google search) is arguably the most necessary and is the only one produced by the GMAC and has real questions from past GMAT tests. Other valid options are the GMAT 800, GMAT flashcards, and books on test taking strategies. It is strongly recommended that you practice taking a full GMAT exam with the same testing software to get used to the time pressure and technology.

===Learn Test-Taking Strategies===

Once you’re familiar with the test (format and types of questions), invest some time learning basic test taking strategies. This will help you know how to best attack the test and understand some of the tricks the test writers use. Most people could answer most of the questions correctly if given enough time. However, because the GMAT is a timed test, you should develop a strategy that works for you when you have to perform under a time crunch. For example, because you are not allowed to skip a question and return to it later, if a question is taking too long to answer, guess and move on rather than waste a lot of time on one question.

Another strategy, perhaps one of the best, is to focus a little more on the verbal section. It is very difficult to set yourself apart in the math section (most likely due to the quantitative skills that GMAT takers may have). However, a higher score in the verbal section will really skyrocket your overall score. With a little bit of extra time preparing here, you can really learn how to attack the verbal questions.

===Don't Give Up===

Make sure you persevere through the whole test! You don’t get a refund if you don’t finish, so you might as well finish (even if you feel like you’ve blown it at the beginning—you’ll at least get more real GMAT questions to practice). Also, remember that some questions are being screened for future GMAT exams. Don’t let a hard question throw you off your rhythm. It’s easy to make up for one missed question, and if you’re lucky, it won’t even be counted!

One person shared their experience: "When I was taking the test, I chose an answer and then realized I had forgotten to take the square root to calculate the final answer. I spent the entire test trying to win a mental battle with myself. When I took a break between the math and verbal sections, I told myself to let it go and focus on making up for any deficiencies on the back-end. Before deciding to report my scores, I was tempted not to because I knew I had missed an easy question. I'm glad I decided to report my score, because I did well."

'''''Don't freak out.''''' Many people panic the night before and the day of their exam. This only adds unnecessary pressure and stress to an already stressful situation. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that you’re prepared. A lot of people end up getting higher scores than they think they’ll get during the test. Stay calm and realize that you can take it again if you really do poorly.

===Report Your Scores===

After the test is over, make sure to report your scores. Even if you are worried about one question that you missed, report your scores because it is hard to gauge personal performance on the actual test.

==Retaking the GMAT==

You can take the GMAT no more than once in a 16-day period and no more than five times in a 12-month period. Schools to which you report your new scores will also receive your old scores. More information on the [https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register/exam-policies retesting policy] is found at MBA.com. According to Manhattangmat.com, scores increase 31 points (on average) when someone re-takes the exam.

If you do poorly your first time taking the GMAT, don't despair. Many students have scored below a 600 their first time, and then scored above 700 their second time. Study diligently the first time you take the exam, but if it doesn't go well, try again (and invest another $250). Most business programs will not discount your new score if your old score is lower (although some schools ''do'' take it into consideration).

==External Links==

The GMAT is already expensive, so why spend hundreds of extra dollars when there are plenty of free resources available? These links are provided to help you learn more about the GMAT and point you in the right direction to begin successfully studying for free (or very cheaply). You may find value in spending more money for additional resources, but it's worth at least investigating these first to determine if you can do it without breaking the bank.

*[http://www.mba.com MBA.com] - The Official GMAT Web Site, which includes registration, information about the exam, free practice exams, and free test-preparation software.
*[http://www.gmac.com/ GMAC.com] - The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) manages the exam.
*[https://downloads.mba.com/downloads/gmat-handbook.pdf#_ga=2.174449766.516694653.1609525356-500854910.1609525356 GMAT Handbook] - The GMAT Handbook, including logistics about registration and things to do before, during, and after taking the exam.
*[https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-official-guide-2024-2025-ebook-and-online-question-bank The Official Guide] - The Official Guide to the GMAT (also sold by other vendors like Amazon).
*[http://www.manhattangmat.com Manhattangmat.com] - This site leads you to several free resources, including a practice test and a few free trials.
*[https://www.kaptest.com/gmat/practice/gmat-practice Kaptest.com] - This site offers a 7-day free trial for their prep material.
*[http://ce.byu.edu/cw/testprep/gmat.cfm BYU GMAT Prep] - This is the link to the BYU GMAT prep course.
*[http://beatthegmat.com Beatthegmat.com] & [http://gmatclub.com GMATclub.com] - Online forums with lots of free resources to help in GMAT preparation including practice problems, tips, solutions and common mistakes, and a GMAT score calculator that can help predict what you might get on the real exam based on various practice exams.
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|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[The GMAT]]</small>
|}

The GMAT

2024-12-28T05:02:21Z

Jeffrey9: /* Learn Test-Taking Strategies */

The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is the standardized test designed to measure a candidate's aptitude for graduate management studies. More than 4,800 programs use the GMAT in their admission process. The test costs $250 each time you take it. MBA.com offers a GMAT Official Starter Kit and two practice exams for free [https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-official-starter-kit-practice-exams-1-and-2-free here].

This page includes some basic information to get you started. For a more comprehensive introduction to the test, go to the [http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-format-timing.aspx official GMAT site].

==Test Format==
[[Image:Studying2.jpg|right|400px|link=]]
The GMAT consists of four sections:
# Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
# Integrated Reasoning
# Quantitative Reasoning
# Verbal Reasoning

The test is administered via computers in approved testing centers. The AWA section consists of one written analysis: the analysis of an argument. The integrated reasoning section consists of interpreting information from a variety of sources. The quantitative and verbal reasoning sections are multiple-choice and computer-adaptive, meaning that questions are dynamically selected based on your responses. The AWA and integrated reasoning sections do not affect your composite score (the total score out of 800), but are scored separately.

Also, in the quantitative and verbal reasoning sections, some questions are trial-questions that are being pretested for future exam use. These questions are unidentified and dispersed throughout the two sections. ''Answers to trial-questions are '''not''' factored into your final score''.

===Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)===

The purpose of the AWA section is to measure your ability to think critically about an issue or argument and assess how well you communicate your ideas.

Highest scores are received by writers who are concise and have well-structured essays. Essays are graded by a computer software '''and''' a human GMAT-essay grader. Scoring differences are resolved by a second human GMAT-essay grader. Human graders generally try to follow the computer's grading; for this reason, it is best to avoid humor or witty remarks in your essays since the computer will likely not understand.

[https://www.800score.com/gmat-prep/ 800score.com] has a great guide to doing well on this section of the GMAT.

Find out more [https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat/before-the-exam/perform-your-best-on-test-day/prepare-for-the-awa-section here].

===Integrated Reasoning===

The integrated reasoning section consists of four question types: (1) Multi-source reasoning, (2) Graphics Interpretation, (3) Two-Part Analysis, and (4) Table Analysis.

Find out more [http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-format-timing/integrated-reasoning.aspx here].

===Quantitative Reasoning===

The quantitative reasoning section has two kinds of questions: (1) Problem-Solving and (2) Data-Sufficiency.

*''Problem-Solving'' questions are designed to test math skills and understanding of math concepts. There are lots of good guides out there to review the basic math knowledge you need for the test.

*''Data-Sufficiency'' questions are more difficult and ask you to analyze a quantitative problem to decide what information is relevant. You are given a problem and two statements; your task is to determine which (if any) of the statements gives you enough information to solve the problem.

Find out more [http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-format-timing/quantitative/sample-problem-solving-question.aspx here].

===Verbal Reasoning===

The verbal section has three types of questions: (1) Reading Comprehension, (2) Critical Reasoning, and (3) Sentence Correction.

*''Reading Comprehension'' questions measure your understanding of words or statements from reading passages. This section is similar to the Reading Comprehension sections of other standardized tests.

*''Critical Reasoning'' questions measure your ability to construct and evaluate arguments.

*''Sentence Correction'' questions are of two types: (1) correct expression, which tests grammar skills and knowledge of grammatical rules, and (2) effective expression, which deals more with word choice and concise writing. BYU's [http://mcom320.net/fulltextbook.pdf M COM 320 book] is a great source to use in your preparation for this section (chapter 2 is particularly useful for the grammar skills questions).

'''Tip:''' Spending extra time studying for the verbal section will do more to set you apart from other test-takers since scores are generally lower for the verbal than for the quantitative section. For example a 49/51 in both the verbal and quantitative sections means you performed comparatively better on the verbal section than most students. See the [http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-scoring/your-score-report/what-percentile-rankings-mean.aspx GMAT Percentiles] page to compare scores across exam sections.

Find out more [https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat/before-the-exam/perform-your-best-on-test-day/prepare-for-the-verbal-section here].

==Test Scores==

GMAT scores are valid for five years and range between 205 and 805. The GMAT is not the only criteria that decides [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program|admission into a Ph.D. program]], but it does carry weight. Thus, while a high GMAT score will not guarantee that you are accepted into a given program, a low score can eliminate you from consideration. For most research-intensive universities, a 700 is often considered the "magic number," although the actual benchmark will vary between schools. Schools often state what the minimum or average GMAT score is for their students. Some schools will focus mostly on the score from the quantitative section, while others will also put significant weight on the verbal section. This is because the program will likely require good quantitative skills, but writing skill may determine how likely you are to publish your papers.

==Testing Locations==

Approved testing centers can be found on MBA.com’s [https://www.mba.com/service/testing/appointment-search?_gl=1*mln0ch*_gcl_au*MjA4OTk0NDczMi4xNzM1MzQzMzk2*_ga*Nzc5NDQ5MzkzLjE3MzUzNDMzOTY.*_ga_17FTF2EHH0*MTczNTM2MDQ3OC4yLjEuMTczNTM2MTM0NS4wLjAuMA.. testing center search page]. The closest center to Brigham Young University is in Draper, UT.

==Suggestions for Preparation==

[[Image:Scorebystudyhours.jpg|right|500px|link=]]
===Familiarize Yourself With the Test===

It’s important to know what the test will be like—both the format and the types of questions. Know what time constraints exist for each section and consider what aspects of those constraints will be most difficult for you. Know the various types of questions asked, what makes them challenging, and how the test writers try to trick people. The best way to be familiar with GMAT-style questions is to take practice exams (discussed next). Most GMAT preparation books (e.g. Kaplan) also include examples of each section with several practice problems.

===Take Practice Tests===

This is where you should devote a significant portion of your time. Practice tests help you learn time management, which is critical for performing well on the GMAT. MBA.com has official practice exams that use the same format and technology as the real exam, are considered the most reliable measure of preparation, and are the only source that use questions from real former GMAT exams. You could start by taking one of the two free practice tests available on MBA.com to give you an idea of where you’re at and where you should spend time studying. Once taken, you can take these practice exams again and get new questions from the question bank (though after multiple attempts, you will begin to see some repeated questions).

Some suggest doing 8-10 practice tests. Besides the few official practice exams offered on MBA.com, there are many independent companies that offer GMAT Prep Courses (which include practice exams). Some of these are free, while others come at a price. Reviews of these services can be found at [http://beatthegmat.com beatthegmat.com] and [http://gmatclub.com gmatclub.com]. Practice exams from independent companies are often more difficult than the real GMAT or the practice exams on MBA.com (in part to prepare you for the worst, but also to scare you into paying for their more intensive prep courses).

'''''To reiterate, taking practice tests is the best preparation strategy. Unlike many expensive prep courses claim, there is no "trick" to ace the GMAT.'''''

===Review Key Concepts===

Much of the test covers topics that most people learned in later middle school and high school. Some of these concepts have key components that are easy to forget when they haven't been reviewed or used in several years. Once you’ve taken a practice exam to benchmark where you’re at, spend some time reviewing some of the basic grammatical and mathematical concepts you find you’re a bit rusty on.

If money isn’t an issue and you struggle to be self-motivated/disciplined enough to study on your own, you might consider paying for a prep course. However, many people perform very well without ever paying for a prep course. These prep courses are often not geared toward the median student, not people who are trying to score high enough to get into an elite school.

While paying for prep courses may not be necessary, buying a few good prep books and other materials is very beneficial. [https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-official-guide-2021-ebook-and-online-question-bank The Official Guide] (you should be able to find the current year with a quick Google search) is arguably the most necessary and is the only one produced by the GMAC and has real questions from past GMAT tests. Other valid options are the GMAT 800, GMAT flashcards, and books on test taking strategies. It is strongly recommended that you practice taking a full GMAT exam with the same testing software to get used to the time pressure and technology.

===Learn Test-Taking Strategies===

Once you’re familiar with the test (format and types of questions), invest some time learning basic test taking strategies. This will help you know how to best attack the test and understand some of the tricks the test writers use. Most people could answer most of the questions correctly if given enough time. However, because the GMAT is a timed test, you should develop a strategy that works for you when you have to perform under a time crunch. For example, because you are not allowed to skip a question and return to it later, if a question is taking too long to answer, guess and move on rather than waste a lot of time on one question.

Another strategy, perhaps one of the best, is to focus a little more on the verbal section. It is very difficult to set yourself apart in the math section (most likely due to the quantitative skills that GMAT takers may have). However, a higher score in the verbal section will really skyrocket your overall score. With a little bit of extra time preparing here, you can really learn how to attack the verbal questions.

===Don't Give Up===

Make sure you persevere through the whole test! You don’t get a refund if you don’t finish, so you might as well finish (even if you feel like you’ve blown it at the beginning—you’ll at least get more real GMAT questions to practice). Also, remember that some questions are being screened for future GMAT exams. Don’t let a hard question throw you off your rhythm. It’s easy to make up for one missed question, and if you’re lucky, it won’t even be counted!

One person shared their experience: "When I was taking the test, I chose an answer and then realized I had forgotten to take the square root to calculate the final answer. I spent the entire test trying to win a mental battle with myself. When I took a break between the math and verbal sections, I told myself to let it go and focus on making up for any deficiencies on the back-end. Before deciding to report my scores, I was tempted not to because I knew I had missed an easy question. I'm glad I decided to report my score, because I did well."

'''''Don't freak out.''''' Many people panic the night before and the day of their exam. This only adds unnecessary pressure and stress to an already stressful situation. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that you’re prepared. A lot of people end up getting higher scores than they think they’ll get during the test. Stay calm and realize that you can take it again if you really do poorly.

===Report Your Scores===

After the test is over, make sure to report your scores. Even if you are worried about one question that you missed, report your scores because it is hard to gauge personal performance on the actual test.

==Retaking the GMAT==

You can take the GMAT no more than once in a 16-day period and no more than five times in a 12-month period. Schools to which you report your new scores will also receive your old scores. More information on the [https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register/exam-policies retesting policy] is found at MBA.com. According to Manhattangmat.com, scores increase 31 points (on average) when someone re-takes the exam.

If you do poorly your first time taking the GMAT, don't despair. Many students have scored below a 600 their first time, and then scored above 700 their second time. Study diligently the first time you take the exam, but if it doesn't go well, try again (and invest another $250). Most business programs will not discount your new score if your old score is lower (although some schools ''do'' take it into consideration).

==External Links==

The GMAT is already expensive, so why spend hundreds of extra dollars when there are plenty of free resources available? These links are provided to help you learn more about the GMAT and point you in the right direction to begin successfully studying for free (or very cheaply). You may find value in spending more money for additional resources, but it's worth at least investigating these first to determine if you can do it without breaking the bank.

*[http://www.mba.com MBA.com] - The Official GMAT Web Site, which includes registration, information about the exam, free practice exams, and free test-preparation software.
*[http://www.gmac.com/ GMAC.com] - The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) manages the exam.
*[https://downloads.mba.com/downloads/gmat-handbook.pdf#_ga=2.174449766.516694653.1609525356-500854910.1609525356 GMAT Handbook] - The GMAT Handbook, including logistics about registration and things to do before, during, and after taking the exam.
*[https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-official-guide-2024-2025-ebook-and-online-question-bank The Official Guide] - The Official Guide to the GMAT (also sold by other vendors like Amazon).
*[http://www.manhattangmat.com Manhattangmat.com] - This site leads you to several free resources, including a practice test and a few free trials.
*[https://www.kaptest.com/gmat/practice/gmat-practice Kaptest.com] - This site offers a 7-day free trial for their prep material.
*[http://ce.byu.edu/cw/testprep/gmat.cfm BYU GMAT Prep] - This is the link to the BYU GMAT prep course.
*[http://beatthegmat.com Beatthegmat.com] & [http://gmatclub.com GMATclub.com] - Online forums with lots of free resources to help in GMAT preparation including practice problems, tips, solutions and common mistakes, and a GMAT score calculator that can help predict what you might get on the real exam based on various practice exams.
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[The GMAT]]</small>
|}

The GMAT

2024-12-28T04:59:24Z

Jeffrey9: /* Test Scores */

The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is the standardized test designed to measure a candidate's aptitude for graduate management studies. More than 4,800 programs use the GMAT in their admission process. The test costs $250 each time you take it. MBA.com offers a GMAT Official Starter Kit and two practice exams for free [https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-official-starter-kit-practice-exams-1-and-2-free here].

This page includes some basic information to get you started. For a more comprehensive introduction to the test, go to the [http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-format-timing.aspx official GMAT site].

==Test Format==
[[Image:Studying2.jpg|right|400px|link=]]
The GMAT consists of four sections:
# Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
# Integrated Reasoning
# Quantitative Reasoning
# Verbal Reasoning

The test is administered via computers in approved testing centers. The AWA section consists of one written analysis: the analysis of an argument. The integrated reasoning section consists of interpreting information from a variety of sources. The quantitative and verbal reasoning sections are multiple-choice and computer-adaptive, meaning that questions are dynamically selected based on your responses. The AWA and integrated reasoning sections do not affect your composite score (the total score out of 800), but are scored separately.

Also, in the quantitative and verbal reasoning sections, some questions are trial-questions that are being pretested for future exam use. These questions are unidentified and dispersed throughout the two sections. ''Answers to trial-questions are '''not''' factored into your final score''.

===Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)===

The purpose of the AWA section is to measure your ability to think critically about an issue or argument and assess how well you communicate your ideas.

Highest scores are received by writers who are concise and have well-structured essays. Essays are graded by a computer software '''and''' a human GMAT-essay grader. Scoring differences are resolved by a second human GMAT-essay grader. Human graders generally try to follow the computer's grading; for this reason, it is best to avoid humor or witty remarks in your essays since the computer will likely not understand.

[https://www.800score.com/gmat-prep/ 800score.com] has a great guide to doing well on this section of the GMAT.

Find out more [https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat/before-the-exam/perform-your-best-on-test-day/prepare-for-the-awa-section here].

===Integrated Reasoning===

The integrated reasoning section consists of four question types: (1) Multi-source reasoning, (2) Graphics Interpretation, (3) Two-Part Analysis, and (4) Table Analysis.

Find out more [http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-format-timing/integrated-reasoning.aspx here].

===Quantitative Reasoning===

The quantitative reasoning section has two kinds of questions: (1) Problem-Solving and (2) Data-Sufficiency.

*''Problem-Solving'' questions are designed to test math skills and understanding of math concepts. There are lots of good guides out there to review the basic math knowledge you need for the test.

*''Data-Sufficiency'' questions are more difficult and ask you to analyze a quantitative problem to decide what information is relevant. You are given a problem and two statements; your task is to determine which (if any) of the statements gives you enough information to solve the problem.

Find out more [http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-format-timing/quantitative/sample-problem-solving-question.aspx here].

===Verbal Reasoning===

The verbal section has three types of questions: (1) Reading Comprehension, (2) Critical Reasoning, and (3) Sentence Correction.

*''Reading Comprehension'' questions measure your understanding of words or statements from reading passages. This section is similar to the Reading Comprehension sections of other standardized tests.

*''Critical Reasoning'' questions measure your ability to construct and evaluate arguments.

*''Sentence Correction'' questions are of two types: (1) correct expression, which tests grammar skills and knowledge of grammatical rules, and (2) effective expression, which deals more with word choice and concise writing. BYU's [http://mcom320.net/fulltextbook.pdf M COM 320 book] is a great source to use in your preparation for this section (chapter 2 is particularly useful for the grammar skills questions).

'''Tip:''' Spending extra time studying for the verbal section will do more to set you apart from other test-takers since scores are generally lower for the verbal than for the quantitative section. For example a 49/51 in both the verbal and quantitative sections means you performed comparatively better on the verbal section than most students. See the [http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-scoring/your-score-report/what-percentile-rankings-mean.aspx GMAT Percentiles] page to compare scores across exam sections.

Find out more [https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat/before-the-exam/perform-your-best-on-test-day/prepare-for-the-verbal-section here].

==Test Scores==

GMAT scores are valid for five years and range between 205 and 805. The GMAT is not the only criteria that decides [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program|admission into a Ph.D. program]], but it does carry weight. Thus, while a high GMAT score will not guarantee that you are accepted into a given program, a low score can eliminate you from consideration. For most research-intensive universities, a 700 is often considered the "magic number," although the actual benchmark will vary between schools. Schools often state what the minimum or average GMAT score is for their students. Some schools will focus mostly on the score from the quantitative section, while others will also put significant weight on the verbal section. This is because the program will likely require good quantitative skills, but writing skill may determine how likely you are to publish your papers.

==Testing Locations==

Approved testing centers can be found on MBA.com’s [https://www.mba.com/service/testing/appointment-search?_gl=1*mln0ch*_gcl_au*MjA4OTk0NDczMi4xNzM1MzQzMzk2*_ga*Nzc5NDQ5MzkzLjE3MzUzNDMzOTY.*_ga_17FTF2EHH0*MTczNTM2MDQ3OC4yLjEuMTczNTM2MTM0NS4wLjAuMA.. testing center search page]. The closest center to Brigham Young University is in Draper, UT.

==Suggestions for Preparation==

[[Image:Scorebystudyhours.jpg|right|500px|link=]]
===Familiarize Yourself With the Test===

It’s important to know what the test will be like—both the format and the types of questions. Know what time constraints exist for each section and consider what aspects of those constraints will be most difficult for you. Know the various types of questions asked, what makes them challenging, and how the test writers try to trick people. The best way to be familiar with GMAT-style questions is to take practice exams (discussed next). Most GMAT preparation books (e.g. Kaplan) also include examples of each section with several practice problems.

===Take Practice Tests===

This is where you should devote a significant portion of your time. Practice tests help you learn time management, which is critical for performing well on the GMAT. MBA.com has official practice exams that use the same format and technology as the real exam, are considered the most reliable measure of preparation, and are the only source that use questions from real former GMAT exams. You could start by taking one of the two free practice tests available on MBA.com to give you an idea of where you’re at and where you should spend time studying. Once taken, you can take these practice exams again and get new questions from the question bank (though after multiple attempts, you will begin to see some repeated questions).

Some suggest doing 8-10 practice tests. Besides the few official practice exams offered on MBA.com, there are many independent companies that offer GMAT Prep Courses (which include practice exams). Some of these are free, while others come at a price. Reviews of these services can be found at [http://beatthegmat.com beatthegmat.com] and [http://gmatclub.com gmatclub.com]. Practice exams from independent companies are often more difficult than the real GMAT or the practice exams on MBA.com (in part to prepare you for the worst, but also to scare you into paying for their more intensive prep courses).

'''''To reiterate, taking practice tests is the best preparation strategy. Unlike many expensive prep courses claim, there is no "trick" to ace the GMAT.'''''

===Review Key Concepts===

Much of the test covers topics that most people learned in later middle school and high school. Some of these concepts have key components that are easy to forget when they haven't been reviewed or used in several years. Once you’ve taken a practice exam to benchmark where you’re at, spend some time reviewing some of the basic grammatical and mathematical concepts you find you’re a bit rusty on.

If money isn’t an issue and you struggle to be self-motivated/disciplined enough to study on your own, you might consider paying for a prep course. However, many people perform very well without ever paying for a prep course. These prep courses are often not geared toward the median student, not people who are trying to score high enough to get into an elite school.

While paying for prep courses may not be necessary, buying a few good prep books and other materials is very beneficial. [https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-official-guide-2021-ebook-and-online-question-bank The Official Guide] (you should be able to find the current year with a quick Google search) is arguably the most necessary and is the only one produced by the GMAC and has real questions from past GMAT tests. Other valid options are the GMAT 800, GMAT flashcards, and books on test taking strategies. It is strongly recommended that you practice taking a full GMAT exam with the same testing software to get used to the time pressure and technology.

===Learn Test-Taking Strategies===

Once you’re familiar with the test (format and types of questions), invest some time learning basic test taking strategies. This will help you know how to best attack the test and understand some of the tricks the test writers use. Most people could answer most of the questions correctly if given enough time. However, because the GMAT is a timed test, you should develop a strategy that works for you when you have to perform under a time crunch. For example, because you are not allowed to skip a question and return to it later, if a question is taking too long to answer, guess and move on rather than waste a lot of time on one question.

Another strategy, perhaps one of the best, is to focus a little more on the verbal section. It is very difficult to set yourself apart in the math section (most likely due to the quantitative skills that GMAT takers may have). However, a higher score in the verbal section will really skyrocket your overall score. With a little bit of extra time preparing here, you can really learn how to attack the verbal questions.

A third suggestion is to study only minimally for the written section if English is your first language. Many people who have taken the GMAT claim that it is an easy section if you speak English well. In addition, most accounting Ph.D. programs aren’t as concerned with the score on the written section. This varies depending on what school you hope to attend (some don’t care at all while some expect at least a decent score here), so don’t blow it off entirely. However, most people recommend native English speakers spend little time on this as it’s typically easy and not as important.

===Don't Give Up===

Make sure you persevere through the whole test! You don’t get a refund if you don’t finish, so you might as well finish (even if you feel like you’ve blown it at the beginning—you’ll at least get more real GMAT questions to practice). Also, remember that some questions are being screened for future GMAT exams. Don’t let a hard question throw you off your rhythm. It’s easy to make up for one missed question, and if you’re lucky, it won’t even be counted!

One person shared their experience: "When I was taking the test, I chose an answer and then realized I had forgotten to take the square root to calculate the final answer. I spent the entire test trying to win a mental battle with myself. When I took a break between the math and verbal sections, I told myself to let it go and focus on making up for any deficiencies on the back-end. Before deciding to report my scores, I was tempted not to because I knew I had missed an easy question. I'm glad I decided to report my score, because I did well."

'''''Don't freak out.''''' Many people panic the night before and the day of their exam. This only adds unnecessary pressure and stress to an already stressful situation. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that you’re prepared. A lot of people end up getting higher scores than they think they’ll get during the test. Stay calm and realize that you can take it again if you really do poorly.

===Report Your Scores===

After the test is over, make sure to report your scores. Even if you are worried about one question that you missed, report your scores because it is hard to gauge personal performance on the actual test.

==Retaking the GMAT==

You can take the GMAT no more than once in a 16-day period and no more than five times in a 12-month period. Schools to which you report your new scores will also receive your old scores. More information on the [https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register/exam-policies retesting policy] is found at MBA.com. According to Manhattangmat.com, scores increase 31 points (on average) when someone re-takes the exam.

If you do poorly your first time taking the GMAT, don't despair. Many students have scored below a 600 their first time, and then scored above 700 their second time. Study diligently the first time you take the exam, but if it doesn't go well, try again (and invest another $250). Most business programs will not discount your new score if your old score is lower (although some schools ''do'' take it into consideration).

==External Links==

The GMAT is already expensive, so why spend hundreds of extra dollars when there are plenty of free resources available? These links are provided to help you learn more about the GMAT and point you in the right direction to begin successfully studying for free (or very cheaply). You may find value in spending more money for additional resources, but it's worth at least investigating these first to determine if you can do it without breaking the bank.

*[http://www.mba.com MBA.com] - The Official GMAT Web Site, which includes registration, information about the exam, free practice exams, and free test-preparation software.
*[http://www.gmac.com/ GMAC.com] - The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) manages the exam.
*[https://downloads.mba.com/downloads/gmat-handbook.pdf#_ga=2.174449766.516694653.1609525356-500854910.1609525356 GMAT Handbook] - The GMAT Handbook, including logistics about registration and things to do before, during, and after taking the exam.
*[https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-official-guide-2024-2025-ebook-and-online-question-bank The Official Guide] - The Official Guide to the GMAT (also sold by other vendors like Amazon).
*[http://www.manhattangmat.com Manhattangmat.com] - This site leads you to several free resources, including a practice test and a few free trials.
*[https://www.kaptest.com/gmat/practice/gmat-practice Kaptest.com] - This site offers a 7-day free trial for their prep material.
*[http://ce.byu.edu/cw/testprep/gmat.cfm BYU GMAT Prep] - This is the link to the BYU GMAT prep course.
*[http://beatthegmat.com Beatthegmat.com] & [http://gmatclub.com GMATclub.com] - Online forums with lots of free resources to help in GMAT preparation including practice problems, tips, solutions and common mistakes, and a GMAT score calculator that can help predict what you might get on the real exam based on various practice exams.
----
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;"
|-align="center"
! style="background:#fafaFe; color:black; height: 20px" | <small>[[Main Page]] ► [[The GMAT]]</small>
|}

The GMAT

2024-12-28T04:58:29Z

Jeffrey9: /* Retaking the GMAT */

The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is the standardized test designed to measure a candidate's aptitude for graduate management studies. More than 4,800 programs use the GMAT in their admission process. The test costs $250 each time you take it. MBA.com offers a GMAT Official Starter Kit and two practice exams for free [https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-official-starter-kit-practice-exams-1-and-2-free here].

This page includes some basic information to get you started. For a more comprehensive introduction to the test, go to the [http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-format-timing.aspx official GMAT site].

==Test Format==
[[Image:Studying2.jpg|right|400px|link=]]
The GMAT consists of four sections:
# Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
# Integrated Reasoning
# Quantitative Reasoning
# Verbal Reasoning

The test is administered via computers in approved testing centers. The AWA section consists of one written analysis: the analysis of an argument. The integrated reasoning section consists of interpreting information from a variety of sources. The quantitative and verbal reasoning sections are multiple-choice and computer-adaptive, meaning that questions are dynamically selected based on your responses. The AWA and integrated reasoning sections do not affect your composite score (the total score out of 800), but are scored separately.

Also, in the quantitative and verbal reasoning sections, some questions are trial-questions that are being pretested for future exam use. These questions are unidentified and dispersed throughout the two sections. ''Answers to trial-questions are '''not''' factored into your final score''.

===Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)===

The purpose of the AWA section is to measure your ability to think critically about an issue or argument and assess how well you communicate your ideas.

Highest scores are received by writers who are concise and have well-structured essays. Essays are graded by a computer software '''and''' a human GMAT-essay grader. Scoring differences are resolved by a second human GMAT-essay grader. Human graders generally try to follow the computer's grading; for this reason, it is best to avoid humor or witty remarks in your essays since the computer will likely not understand.

[https://www.800score.com/gmat-prep/ 800score.com] has a great guide to doing well on this section of the GMAT.

Find out more [https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat/before-the-exam/perform-your-best-on-test-day/prepare-for-the-awa-section here].

===Integrated Reasoning===

The integrated reasoning section consists of four question types: (1) Multi-source reasoning, (2) Graphics Interpretation, (3) Two-Part Analysis, and (4) Table Analysis.

Find out more [http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-format-timing/integrated-reasoning.aspx here].

===Quantitative Reasoning===

The quantitative reasoning section has two kinds of questions: (1) Problem-Solving and (2) Data-Sufficiency.

*''Problem-Solving'' questions are designed to test math skills and understanding of math concepts. There are lots of good guides out there to review the basic math knowledge you need for the test.

*''Data-Sufficiency'' questions are more difficult and ask you to analyze a quantitative problem to decide what information is relevant. You are given a problem and two statements; your task is to determine which (if any) of the statements gives you enough information to solve the problem.

Find out more [http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-format-timing/quantitative/sample-problem-solving-question.aspx here].

===Verbal Reasoning===

The verbal section has three types of questions: (1) Reading Comprehension, (2) Critical Reasoning, and (3) Sentence Correction.

*''Reading Comprehension'' questions measure your understanding of words or statements from reading passages. This section is similar to the Reading Comprehension sections of other standardized tests.

*''Critical Reasoning'' questions measure your ability to construct and evaluate arguments.

*''Sentence Correction'' questions are of two types: (1) correct expression, which tests grammar skills and knowledge of grammatical rules, and (2) effective expression, which deals more with word choice and concise writing. BYU's [http://mcom320.net/fulltextbook.pdf M COM 320 book] is a great source to use in your preparation for this section (chapter 2 is particularly useful for the grammar skills questions).

'''Tip:''' Spending extra time studying for the verbal section will do more to set you apart from other test-takers since scores are generally lower for the verbal than for the quantitative section. For example a 49/51 in both the verbal and quantitative sections means you performed comparatively better on the verbal section than most students. See the [http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-scoring/your-score-report/what-percentile-rankings-mean.aspx GMAT Percentiles] page to compare scores across exam sections.

Find out more [https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat/before-the-exam/perform-your-best-on-test-day/prepare-for-the-verbal-section here].

==Test Scores==

GMAT scores are valid for five years and range between 200 and 800. Two-thirds of all test-takers score between 400 and 600. The GMAT is not the only criteria that decides [[Applying to a Ph.D. Program|admission into a Ph.D. program]], but it does carry weight. Thus, while a high GMAT score will not guarantee that you are accepted into a given program, a low score can eliminate you from consideration. For most research-intensive universities, a 700 is often considered the "magic number," although the actual benchmark will vary between schools. Schools often state what the minimum or average GMAT score is for their students. Some schools will focus mostly on the score from the quantitative section, while others will also put significant weight on the verbal section. This is because the program will likely require good quantitative skills, but writing skill may determine how likely you are to publish your papers.

==Testing Locations==

Approved testing centers can be found on MBA.com’s [https://www.mba.com/service/testing/appointment-search?_gl=1*mln0ch*_gcl_au*MjA4OTk0NDczMi4xNzM1MzQzMzk2*_ga*Nzc5NDQ5MzkzLjE3MzUzNDMzOTY.*_ga_17FTF2EHH0*MTczNTM2MDQ3OC4yLjEuMTczNTM2MTM0NS4wLjAuMA.. testing center search page]. The closest center to Brigham Young University is in Draper, UT.

==Suggestions for Preparation==

[[Image:Scorebystudyhours.jpg|right|500px|link=]]
===Familiarize Yourself With the Test===

It’s important to know what the test will be like—both the format and the types of questions. Know what time constraints exist for each section and consider what aspects of those constraints will be most difficult for you. Know the various types of questions asked, what makes them challenging, and how the test writers try to trick people. The best way to be familiar with GMAT-style questions is to take practice exams (discussed next). Most GMAT preparation books (e.g. Kaplan) also include examples of each section with several practice problems.

===Take Practice Tests===

This is where you should devote a significant portion of your time. Practice tests help you learn time management, which is critical for performing well on the GMAT. MBA.com has official practice exams that use the same format and technology as the real exam, are considered the most reliable measure of preparation, and are the only source that use questions from real former GMAT exams. You could start by taking one of the two free practice tests available on MBA.com to give you an idea of where you’re at and where you should spend time studying. Once taken, you can take these practice exams again and get new questions from the question bank (though after multiple attempts, you will begin to see some repeated questions).

Some suggest doing 8-10 practice tests. Besides the few official practice exams offered on MBA.com, there are many independent companies that offer GMAT Prep Courses (which include practice exams). Some of these are free, while others come at a price. Reviews of these services can be found at [http://beatthegmat.com beatthegmat.com] and [http://gmatclub.com gmatclub.com]. Practice exams from independent companies are often more difficult than the real GMAT or the practice exams on MBA.com (in part to prepare you for the worst, but also to scare you into paying for their more intensive prep courses).

'''''To reiterate, taking practice tests is the best preparation strategy. Unlike many expensive prep courses claim, there is no "trick" to ace the GMAT.'''''

===Review Key Concepts===

Much of the test covers topics that most people learned in later middle school and high school. Some of these concepts have key components that are easy to forget when they haven't been reviewed or used in several years. Once you’ve taken a practice exam to benchmark where you’re at, spend some time reviewing some of the basic grammatical and mathematical concepts you find you’re a bit rusty on.

If money isn’t an issue and you struggle to be self-motivated/disciplined enough to study on your own, you might consider paying for a prep course. However, many people perform very well without ever paying for a prep course. These prep courses are often not geared toward the median student, not people who are trying to score high enough to get into an elite school.

While paying for prep courses may not be necessary, buying a few good prep books and other materials is very beneficial. [https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-official-guide-2021-ebook-and-online-question-bank The Official Guide] (you should be able to find the current year with a quick Google search) is arguably the most necessary and is the only one produced by the GMAC and has real questions from past GMAT tests. Other valid options are the GMAT 800, GMAT flashcards, and books on test taking strategies. It is strongly recommended that you practice taking a full GMAT exam with the same testing software to get used to the time pressure and technology.

===Learn Test-Taking Strategies===

Once you’re familiar with the test (format and types of questions), invest some time learning basic test taking strategies. This will help you know how to best attack the test and understand some of the tricks the test writers use. Most people could answer most of the questions correctly if given enough time. However, because the GMAT is a timed test, you should develop a strategy that works for you when you have to perform under a time crunch. For example, because you are not allowed to skip a question and return to it later, if a question is taking too long to answer, guess and move on rather than waste a lot of time on one question.

Another strategy, perhaps one of the best, is to focus a little more on the verbal section. It is very difficult to set yourself apart in the math section (most likely due to the quantitative skills that GMAT takers may have). However, a higher score in the verbal section will really skyrocket your overall score. With a little bit of extra time preparing here, you can really learn how to attack the verbal questions.

A third suggestion is to study only minimally for the written section if English is your first language. Many people who have taken the GMAT claim that it is an easy section if you speak English well. In addition, most accounting Ph.D. programs aren’t as concerned with the score on the written section. This varies depending on what school you hope to attend (some don’t care at all while some expect at least a decent score here), so don’t blow it off entirely. However, most people recommend native English speakers spend little time on this as it’s typically easy and not as important.

===Don't Give Up===

Make sure you persevere through the whole test! You don’t get a refund if you don’t finish, so you might as well finish (even if you feel like you’ve blown it at the beginning—you’ll at least get more real GMAT questions to practice). Also, remember that some questions are being screened for future GMAT exams. Don’t let a hard question throw you off your rhythm. It’s easy to make up for one missed question, and if you’re lucky, it won’t even be counted!

One person shared their experience: "When I was taking the test, I chose an answer and then realized I had forgotten to take the square root to calculate the final answer. I spent the entire test trying to win a mental battle with myself. When I took a break between the math and verbal sections, I told myself to let it go and focus on making up for any deficiencies on the back-end. Before deciding to report my scores, I was tempted not to because I knew I had missed an easy question. I'm glad I decided to report my score, because I did well."

'''''Don't freak out.''''' Many people panic the night before and the day of their exam. This only adds unnecessary pressure and stress to an already stressful situation. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that you’re prepared. A lot of people end up getting higher scores than they think they’ll get during the test. Stay calm and realize that you can take it again if you really do poorly.

===Report Your Scores===

After the test is over, make sure to report your scores. Even if you are worried about one question that you missed, report your scores because it is hard to gauge personal performance on the actual test.

==Retaking the GMAT==

You can take the GMAT no more than once in a 16-day period and no more than five times in a 12-month period. Schools to which you report your new scores will also receive your old scores. More information on the [https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register/exam-policies retesting policy] is found at MBA.com. According to Manhattangmat.com, scores increase 31 points (on average) when someone re-takes the exam.

If you do poorly your first time taking the GMAT, don't despair. Many students have scored below a 600 their first time, and then scored above 700 their second time. Study diligently the first time you take the exam, but if it doesn't go well, try again (and invest another $250). Most business programs will not discount your new score if your old score is lower (although some schools ''do'' take it into consideration).

==External Links==

The GMAT is already expensive, so why spend hundreds of extra dollars when there are plenty of free resources available? These links are provided to help you learn more about the GMAT and point you in the right direction to begin successfully studying for free (or very cheaply). You may find value in spending more money for additional resources, but it's worth at least investigating these first to determine if you can do it without breaking the bank.

*[http://www.mba.com MBA.com] - The Official GMAT Web Site, which includes registration, information about the exam, free practice exams, and free test-preparation software.
*[http://www.gmac.com/ GMAC.com] - The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) manages the exam.
*[https://downloads.mba.com/downloads/gmat-handbook.pdf#_ga=2.174449766.516694653.1609525356-500854910.1609525356 GMAT Handbook] - The GMAT Handbook, including logistics about registration and things to do before, during, and after taking the exam.
*[https://www.mba.com/exam-prep/gmat-official-guide-2024-2025-ebook-and-online-question-bank The Official Guide] - The Official Guide to the GMAT (also sold by other vendors like Amazon).
*[http://www.manhattangmat.com Manhattangmat.com] - This site leads you to several free resources, including a practice test and a few free trials.
*[https://www.kaptest.com/gmat/practice/gmat-practice Kaptest.com] - This site offers a 7-day free trial for their prep material.
*[http://ce.byu.edu/cw/testprep/gmat.cfm BYU GMAT Prep] - This is the link to the BYU GMAT prep course.
*[http://beatthegmat.com Beatthegmat.com] & [http://gmatclub.com GMATclub.com] - Online forums with lots of free resources to help in GMAT preparation including practice problems, tips, solutions and common mistakes, and a GMAT score calculator that can help predict what you might get on the real exam based on various practice exams.
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