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
