Workshop descriptions for on-campus workshop series in the sciences, health sciences, engineering and technology
Your higher degree by research thesis is likely to be the first really large project that you undertake. You will be judged both on the quality of your research and on the way in which it is presented. Within a limited period of time you are required to plan and conduct a significant research project and either write a book (thesis) about it or write a series of significant papers. You need to understand how to take your findings to the world and make your mark on the world of science. You will have supervisors to give you some guidance but you will need to achieve your goals with relatively little support.
The manner in which you plan your project will to a large extent determine how much stress you experience on the way. Your plan needs to have achievable goals that act as signposts on your path to achievement. To achieve success during your HDR candidature and in the years that follow you need to develop a range of skills that compliment your discipline specific skills. Support in developing these skills is offered through workshops facilitated by Dr Joanna Brooks and Academic Librarians
Commencing series (all disciplines) | Continuing to completing series (all disciplines) | Uni-wide calendar
Commencing research
The Commencing research series will assist you to plan your research, obtain skills related to managing your research and help you to write your proposal. Sessions in this module cover the following topics.
1. How to write a literature review and manage references
So where do you start? The aim of this workshop is to take you through the basics of writing a literature review. You will learn how to plan your literature review, gather the research that you need, and then write the literature review with confidence and success.
2. Critical thinking and critical evaluation
The aim of this workshop is to show you how to think critically and use critical evaluation when planning a piece of research, within your literature review and written work, and when reading scientific articles.
3. Making your research unique
How is your research unique? Making your work stand out is important for a successful career in scientific research. This workshop will focus on identifying the 'X Factor' within your own research as well as increasing the 'X Factor' when planning further research.
4. Writing a research proposal: what to put in your introduction and methodology
Writing a research proposal can be fun and take less time than you think! The art of writing a good research proposal is in the planning and this workshop will take you through the planning stage in detail, focusing particularly on the structure and organisation of material.
5. Conference and oral presentations
Presenting your work to an academic or general audience is scary for many people. This workshop will provide you with useful hints and tips for presenting your work in a confidence, friendly, and scientific manner.
Library
1. & 2. & 3. Searching beyond Google/Database searching for your research
Do you want to know how best to search the Library catalogue, Summon, Google/Google Scholar, and the databases? Learn how to search all of these resources to find the information you need for research, and how to create database alerts.
4. Endnote essentials
EndNote essentials is for people who would like to learn to use EndNote. It includes creating a new library and adding references, inserting references into Word documents and creating a bibliography.
5. Finding research proposals and theses
This workshop explains how to find UniSA theses in the Library catalogue, how to search Australian and international theses databases and how to find theses on the web.
Writing your research (continuing to completing)
1. How to make your research successful
Successful research depends on good planning, fantastic organisation, hard work, and confidence in your own ability and ideas. This workshop will show you how to make your research successful by providing you with some real-life examples from the tutor and open a discussion in a safe environment about your research worries or concerns.
2. Writing up research for publication
Once your research has been completed, it is very important to publish
your findings. Your publication record may influence your chances of
obtaining further funding, post-doctoral work, and employment within
industry. This workshop will focus on when to publish, where to publish, and
how to publish.
3. Writing academic abstracts
The abstract is one of the most important parts of a thesis or publication as it tells the reader in a concise way what you have done and what you have found. In this workshop you will learn how to write a fantastic abstract effectively and efficiently.
4. Proofreading your own work
This workshop will provide you with useful hints and tips for proof reading your own work - from checking references to ensuring grammar and punctuation is correct.
Managing your candidature, writing and speaking (continuing to completing)
1. Minimising stress and optimising performance
Completing a PhD doesn't have to be stressful and tiring! This workshop will show you how to focus on the positives, make your life simple by being highly organised, and increase your self confidence.
2. Being a scientist/professional
Being a successful scientist requires certain skills and characteristics. This workshop will focus on the personal skills and qualities that make a good scientist and open a discussion about your worries and concerns in this area.
3. Creative thinking - releasing your blocks
This workshop will show you how to increase your creativity and productivity in a simple but effective way.
4. Writing papers: the success factors
Writing papers for publication is an important part of your journey in academia. The workshop will discuss when, where, and how to publish your work and how to deal with reviewers' comments.
5. Writing papers: writing introductions
Getting started can be difficult! This workshop will focus on how to introduce your research in a creative and interesting way and how to convey to the reader where the gap in the current research lies and how you plan to fill it.
6. Writing papers: writing effective abstracts
Writing an effective abstract for a publication is essential as it is probably the first thing that people will read. This workshop will show you how to put your point across in a concise and effective manner.
7. Writing papers: editing - from argument to grammar
This workshop will show you how to proof read your own work to ensure that your arguments are in the right order and that your grammar is correct.
8. Conferences and oral presentations
Presenting your work to an academic or general audience is scary for many people. This workshop will provide you with useful hints and tips for presenting your work in a confidence, friendly, and scientific manner.
9. Presenting your work and receiving feedback from your peers
Presenting a paper or research doesn't have to be daunting! This workshop will show you how to communicate in a professional, friendly and effective manner.