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Resources to support HDR students and supervisors

UniSA continually develops resources to assist HDR students to successfully complete their research degree, and supervisors to support their students.

 

Financial and project support - Statement of minimum resources for higher degree by research students

Statement of minimum resources for higher degrees by research students (Academic regulations for Higher Degrees by Research, Appendix 3)

The Statement outlines the minimum resources students can expect to be provided by the University throughout their candidature. When a student is recommended for admission, the School or Institute undertakes to provide the student with the resources as per the Statement. Then, when a student has their candidature confirmed, project-specific resources are negotiated with the School or Institute, as per the Statement. Examples of resources include access to computing and office facilities for on campus students, photocopying and printing, and IT and technical support.

See also Responsible practice in research
 

Research skills support - Research Education Support Activities (RESA)

An annual program of Research Education Support Activities (RESA) has been designed for HDR students and supervisors at UniSA. RESA are the formal research training for all HDR students and supervisors at UniSA.

RESA events include:

Why RESA?

Research shows that HDR students who receive additional support at the start of candidature are more likely to complete their research program with success. Participation in RESA is important in supporting HDR students to develop key research skills and knowledge, and also to enable cross-disciplinary research networking and support.

It is expected that students in their first year of candidature will participate in ‘core’ RESA events.

RESA and the Research Degree Graduate Qualities (RDGQ)

The seven RDGQ describe attributes attained by people who complete a program of postgraduate research at UniSA and identify competencies that are transferable to the workplace, whether academic or professional. After submitting the thesis, each HDR student will complete a Final Review of Progress which reflects on each of the RDGQ and how they were attained through the research degree experience. Achievement of all seven RDGQ is built into RESA.

The website Resources for Research Degree Graduate Qualities provides links to resources across the University (including RESA on campus and online workshops) and externally that support the attainment of these attributes.

Induction Program

In 2008 an Induction Program will be held for new HDR students. Attendance is compulsory for all commencing HDR students. Students who have not yet had the opportunity to attend an induction will be notified by email in January, and commencing students will also be posted an invitation. Induction Program for new students 2008

Core RESA series

The core RESA series consists of several workshop series that provide advice, information and resources for HDR students at each stage of the research process. Whether online or on campus, workshops cover:

A series of on campus language workshops for non English speaking background (NESB) students focus on academic writing and are offered in conjunction with the core RESA program.

RESA on campus workshops typically combine a mixture of formal and informal presentation styles, and will give students the opportunity to raise questions and share ideas with HDR students from other schools and divisions.

Where appropriate, two streams have been developed to provide specific content for the disciplines of:

RESA on campus workshops will be cancelled if less than four students are registered. It is therefore important to cancel your registration if you will be unable to attend.

Supervisor professional development

Each year, new and experienced UniSA HDR supervisors must demonstrate participation in ongoing professional development. The RESA supervisor program is tailor made to provide the best support possible for HDR students and their supervisors. Participation in this program is currently a requirement for supervisors who wish to remain on the Register of Research Degree Supervisors and continue as a principal supervisor.

RESA in Divisions, Institutes, Schools and Centres

Most UniSA schools, divisions, centres and institutes run seminars and forums specifically for HDR students. In some cases, the division, institute, school or research centre will provide alternative RESA core sessions covering discipline-specific topics. Students should make a point of attending any pertinent research presentations as these will serve as an induction into the research culture of the division, institute, school or research centre.

Notice of such events will be sent via email but students can contact the relevant research degree coordinator for details.

RESA Online

Online workshops provide flexibility and accessibility for HDR students who are unable to attend the RESA On campus workshops, such as those who study part-time or externally. Online research education workshops are offered by UniSA Library, Graduate Studies Office and the five universities of the Australian Technology Network (ATN).

Other online resources

See the Resources section of the RESA website for links to other sites both within and external to UniSA which provide resources for both HDR students and supervisors. These resources include workshops, learning guides, professional skill development training modules and other useful web links. Learning Connection’s Getting started is linked from this site and provides access to computing resources information and a quick guide to resources at UniSA.


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Research management support - PORTIA

PORTIA is a web-based system and provides:

Information entered onto the Portia system by HDR supervisors, students and administrators can be viewed by others using the system. See Information on privacy and confidentiality (RTF file)

Quick links

NVivo software and training

The University has purchased QSR NVivo software licences for HDR students and staff in the Divisions of Business (BUS), Education, Arts and Social Sciences (EAS) and Health Sciences (HSC).

NVivo is a software package which helps you to access, manage, shape and analyse detailed textual and/or multimedia data by removing manual tasks like classifying, sorting and arranging information.

NVivo software can examine virtually any qualitative or textual information, from in-depth interview and focus group transcripts to documents, field or case notes. It can be used for a wide range of methods, including network and organizational analysis, action or evidence-based research, discourse analysis, grounded theory, conversation analysis, ethnography, literature reviews, phenomenology and mixed methods research.

If you a BUS, EAS or HSC HDR student or staff who will use NVivo software, you may apply to have it installed on your PC free of charge. Just go to the UniSA Software Licensing website, read the instructions first, follow the link to QSR/ NVivo and then download the Software Licence Application.

NVivo training is being arranged in 2007.
 

Keeping informed

The Research EDGE is a monthly newsletter that provides HDR staff and students up-to-date information about changes and initiatives in research and research education at the University of South Australia. This newsletter is distributed by email as a PDF file. 

 

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