Introduction

1. Taking on postgraduate studies - preliminary considerations

2. Principles of postgraduateness – how to approach study at this new level

Getting started  

3. Identifying and framing research questions – how to set targets and formulate hypotheses

4.    Writing a proposal or research plan – how to outline your approach to postgraduate study

Key research skills

5. Developing as a researcher – appraising your skills and gaining proficiency

6. Planning and time management – how to complete your research and write up on time

7. Information literacy for PhD study – how to find relevant source material

8. Accessing content from the literature - how to read and evaluate research publications

9. Organising research materials – how to collect and file information and details of references

Interactions with others during a research programme

10.  Student-supervisor relationships – how to make the most of this important collaboration

11.  Dealing with the highs and lows of being a postgraduate – how to respond positively to events and feelings

12.  Working in a research team – how to balance research cooperation and autonomy

13.  Teaching as a postgraduate – how to make the most of opportunities to tutor, demonstrate and lecture

14.  Giving a research seminar or paper – how to deliver an effective spoken presentation

15.  Preparing and presenting a poster – how to summarise and communicate your findings

16.  Being appraised – how to respond to progress monitoring and other feedback on your work

Research Methods

17.  Critical thinking – how to apply method to arrive at valid, original ideas

18.  Arriving at a position and supporting it – how to sift fact and opinion and express your conclusions

19.  Research ethics and safety – how to conduct an appropriate, principled and safe investigation

20.  Referencing, citing and avoiding plagiarism – how to refer appropriately to the results and ideas of others

21.  Interpreting and presenting data – how to understand and produce graphs, tables and basic statistics

22.  Aspects of qualitative research – how to obtain and analyse non-numerical information

23.  Aspects of quantitative research – how to obtain and analyse numerical data

24.  Experiments and field studies – how to design and conduct lab and field investigations

Writing up your research

25.  Links between research, writing and speaking – how to gain from the interactions between investigation, communication and thought

26.  The nature of scholarly writing - how to produce formal writing at PhD level

27.  Scholarly writing style – how to construct effective academic text

28.  Elements of a thesis – how to write up the different sections

29.  Becoming an autonomous writer – how to take control of the writing process

30.  Thesis presentation – how to submit your work in the appropriate manner

Examination and beyond

31.  The PhD viva – how to prepare for and perform in your oral exam

32.  Publishing your research – how to write and submit a successful paper

33.  After your doctorate – how to make appropriate use of your qualification