Who is the package for?
The package is to be undertaken by all Research Higher Degree (Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy) candidates of the School of Information Technology & Electrical Engineering, unless specifically exempted by the Principal Adviser and/or the School Confirmation Committee.
It is expected that candidates who fall into the following categories would undertake all or part of the package:
- New to the School and the candidate's Adviser recommends to the candidate that s/he do all or part of the package.
- New to the School and has not completed a Research Methods course equivalent to COMP4809/7809.
- New to the School and has not achieved Honours Class I or equivalent in previous studies.
- Has been instructed by the School Confirmation Committee to complete the package or part thereof as a condition of confirmation of candidature (and thus continued enrolment).
A Confirmation Committee may require a student to complete all or part of the package as a condition of continued candidature, even if part of the package has been undertaken.
What is the package?
The package consists of four components:
- Short courses offered by the University of Queensland Library
- Short courses offered by the University's Student Support Services
- Completion of some or all of the School's Research Methods course
- Courses offered by the Faculty of Arts
Information Skills for ITEE Research Higher Degree Students
This is a six hour information skills course which has been designed for students enrolled as research higher degree students in the School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. The course is taught by Library staff and consists of 3 modules. Attendance is compulsory. The course overview:
Module 1
Introduction to information searching
Module 2
Citation indexes and specialised information sources
Module 3 Using
Endnote software to manage your references
Module 1: Introduction to information searching
This module is designed to provide ITEE postgraduates with an overview of Library services and Library resources in information technology and electrical engineering. The session will cover services available to postgraduate students, formulation of search strategies, locating relevant resources using the Library catalogue and subject databases. At the completion of this module students will be able to:
Locate information about Library services for postgraduates
Find materials relevant to their subject discipline in the Library Catalogue
Find databases on the Library web site
Search a range of databases and assess their relevance
Recognise and apply search techniques common to all databases
Choose the most efficient information seeking strategies for their research
Introduce EndNote - import, download and manually enter references
Module 2: Citation indexes and specialised information sources
Citation indexes provide an alternative way of researching a topic as they track articles in journals that cite other articles. This module will cover citation databases available via the Web of Science Platform and Citeseer. Additional specialised information resources such as theses, patents and standards will also be covered. At the completion of this module students will be able to:
Identify and access relevant sections of the Web of Science database
Search the Web of Science to track academic research in their subject discipline
Search Citeseer to track relevant academic research
Find full text standards and patents
Search theses databases
Module 3: Using EndNote software to manage your references
EndNote is software that allows researchers to record, organize, annotate, and cite references. This module covers the basic skills required to start using EndNote. At the completion of this module students will be able to:
Set up a database of references and add references to it
Download references from library catalogues or other electronic databases
Search and sort references within EndNote
Add references to research papers or theses
Generate bibliographies in specific styles, especially for publication
Student Support Services will be offering a tailor-made series of key workshops. They have asked for help in selecting materials (journal articles, good and not so good examples of students’ writing, if possible) so they can use examples relevant to the discipline students study. Students would be encourages to attend other workshops open to all students.
The distinct advantage would be that it will be a homogeneous group of students and discipline specific materials, and students might be more likely to attend. All workshops are interactive with students doings exercises and work with their own materials.
Workshops:
Academic expectations, managing your thesis and working with your supervisor/advisor
Writing a research proposal or transfer document
Writing a literature review for PhD and Research Masters Students
Writing a thesis for PhD and Research Masters Students (conceptualising, structuring etc.)
1. Academic expectations, managing your thesis and working with your supervisor/advisor - 1.5 hrs (presenter - Dr David Rowland)
A workshop focusing on skills needed for successful completion of a PhD or Masters: understanding expectations, identifying priorities, setting goals and achieving milestones, identifying and securing resources needed and working effectively with your supervisor/advisor (including mutual expectations) and seeking, receiving and making the best use of feedback.
2. Writing a research proposal or transfer document - 1.5 hrs (presenter - Dr David Rowland)
This workshop helps students understand the purpose of these documents so conceptualizing, structuring, and writing them becomes easier.
3. Writing a literature review for PhD and Research Masters Students - 1.5 hrs (presenter - Ms Marian Butler)
This workshop considers what is involved in the structuring and writing of a literature review to ensure it is an integral part of your thesis. (Suitable for students at any stage of their study.)
4. Writing a thesis for PhD and Research Masters Students (conceptualising, structuring etc.) - 1.5 hrs (presenter - Dr David Rowland)
This two-hour workshop aims to help you conceptualise a thesis, understand the thought processes which underline successful research, focus your research and communicate the results to best effect. (Suitable for students at any stage of their study)
Student Support Services also offer workshops/courses on writing skills and related English language skills.
They could offer an academic writing course (6 x 2 hours classes) covering generating and organizing ideas, structuring the ideas and writing.
Also, offer workshops on common grammar traps and punctuation (two hours each).
- Completion of some or all of the School's Research Methods course for honours and postgraduate coursework students (COMP4809/7809). Students required to complete all of the course may be required to formally enrol in the course, or may be permitted to 'audit' (ie, attend and participate without SI-Net enrolment and therefore no graded result on the Studies Report). Preparation of the Confirmation Report is a recommended sample activity for students taking COMP4809/7809.
- Courses offered by the Faculty of Arts that aim to equip students with the strategies and skills required in academic writing, reading and research. (As enrolment in such courses incur a cost to the School, Advisers are asked to consider the value of this option before including it in an individual student's package. Where enrolment is approved, the student's ResearchAssist account generally will be the funding source.)
What do I do next?
New candidates should discuss with their Advisor which parts of the package are to be completed. A record of this should be made in writing and forwarded to the RHD Administrator.
To register your interest in attending the UQ Library sessions, please send an email to Loretta Atkinson (l.atkinson@library.uq.edu.au) to enrol in the courses, detailing the module and workshop date you will be attending.
| July 2008 Workshop |
| Module 1 Tuesday, 22 July 2008 - 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm |
| Module 2 Wednesday, 23 July 2008 - 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm |
| Module 3 Thursday, 24 July 2008 - 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm |
|
Venue: Ezone Level 2, Dorothy Hill Physical Sciences & Engineering Library |
| September/October 2008 Workshop |
| Module 1 Monday, 29 September 2008 - 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm |
| Module 2 Tuesday, 30 September 2008 - 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm |
| Module 3 Wednesday, 1 October 2008 - 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm |
|
Venue: Ezone Level 2, Dorothy Hill Physical Sciences & Engineering Library |
To undertake the short courses offered by Student Support Services,
please send an email to the ITEE Postgraduate Coordinator,
Prof Xiaofang Zhou (rhdoffice@itee.uq.edu.au)
to enrol in the courses, detailing which workshops you will be attending.
| Semester 2, 2008 timetable |
|
1. Academic
expectations,
managing your thesis and working with your supervisor/advisor Date: Wednesday, 3 September 2008 (9.00 am - 11.00 am) Venue: 78-421 |
|
2. Writing a research proposal or transfer document Date: Friday, 5 September 2008 (9.00 am - 10.30 am) Venue: 78-411 |
|
3. Writing a literature review for PhD and Research
Masters Students Date: Tuesday, 9 September 2008 (9.00 am - 10.30 am) Venue: 78-421 |
|
4.
Writing a thesis for PhD and Research Masters Students (conceptualising,
structuring etc.) Date: Friday, 12 September 2008 (10.00 am - 12.00 noon) Venue: 78-421 |
To undertake some or all of COMP4809/7809, contact the Course Coordinator.
If you are required to formally enrol in the course, rather than 'audit' it, do
so by the University enrolment deadline. You will need to complete an
Application
for Concurrent Enrolment form.
To undertake any of the courses offered by the Faculty of Arts, contact the
Course Coordinator. If you are required to formally enrol in the course,
rather than 'audit' it, do so by the University enrolment deadline.