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I've a bachelors of science (first) in computer science, and currently doing a dissertation for a master's in cyber security, on route for a first but that might change depending on the mark for this dissertation.

My experience with the bachelors was that despite my project being derailed by the bullshit around formatting the document, doing "research" by searching the library for peer reviewed papers that backed up my claims, etc, etc; I got a excellent mark. In short I set out to make something and due to the academic processes failed in making anything, but because I was able to critically reflect on it, I got a good mark. Waste of time, unless you were just are a good mark.

For my masters I know the project doesn't matter, I'm concentrating on the academic nonsense because that's where the marks are.

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The work you were given in your undergraduate and master’s was not research, it was homework. The task was critical reflection, which is repeatable and achievable for students; whereas research is expensive, one off, and generally out of reach for undergrads, and requires intensive oversight by an experienced researcher.

The waste of time would be for a professor to train you up to be a researcher before you’ve proven you are ready, hence the homework assignments.

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If that's the case then and researching is way above masters level then how is it you get on a PhD? Genuine question. If everything I've done to date is a pale imitation of the real thing how can I make a fair assessment as to whether I want to pursue a PhD?
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You don’t really, and why a lot of people become researchers only to discover they hate it. But that’s true with all things.

I think the way to know if you want to be a researcher is more along the lines of: do you like finding the answers to questions no k e has thought to ask let alone answered? If so then it doesn’t really matter the training you’ve or the amount t of the field you’ve experienced, you can focus on that bit as your guiding force.

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