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Resources for graduate students

Academic Skills Centre http://academicskills.anu.edu.au/

The Academic Skills Centre is not about remedial assistance, it offers assistance in a variety of mediums to improve your academic skills. They offer services such as:

• Online Materials on the topics of: managing your research project, academic and report writing; referencing; note-taking and plagiarism; oral presentations, time management and much more
• Workshops and Courses on the topics of time management, writing, reading and research skills
• One on one advice about your work (regarding structure, not subject material)
• Information tailored to graduates and honours students
• Assistance for students where English is a second language
• Podcasts of helpful programs you can download

The Academic Skills Centre is located on the lower ground floor of the Pauline Griffin Building (building no. 11) and is open during term and vacations on an appointment basis.

Training @ ANU http://training.anu.edu.au/default.asp

There is a variety of training courses available to improve your study and research skills; from using databases efficiently to skills in specific computer programs. You can enrol online and the courses run at a variety of times throughout the year.

The Counselling Centre http://www.anu.edu.au/counsel/

When study all seems too much or you just want some tips on managing stress, the Counselling Centre can help.

Selected Useful Chapters

Punch, Keith 2005. ‘Research Questions’. Pp. 32-42 in Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. 2nd ed. London: Sage.

http://library.anu.edu.au/search/rANTH8006/ranth8006/1,1,1,E/frameset~2282225&FF=ranth8006&1,1,

This chapter examines the role that research questions play in research and different methods of developing research questions. It looks at different types of research questions, the difference between a question and a hypothesis and when to use each,

Fielding, Nigel and Hilary Thomas 2001. ‘Qualitative Interviewing’. Pp. 123-44 Researching Social. Life, N. Gilbert ed. 2nd ed. London etc.: Sage.

http://library.anu.edu.au/search/rANTH8006/ranth8006/1,1,1,E/frameset~2113981&FF=ranth8006&1,1,

This chapter gives a detailed outline of the different types of qualitative interviewing. It examines different forms of communication during interviews, how to write an interview schedule, how to analyse qualitative data and what problems may occur throughout the process.

Miles, M.B. and A.M. Huberman 1994. ‘Producing Reports’. Pp. 298-306 in An Expanded Sourcebook: Qualitative Data Analysis. 2nd Edition. London: Sage.

http://library.anu.edu.au/search/rANTH8006/ranth8006/1,1,1,E/frameset~1978787&FF=ranth8006&1,1,

Examines alternatives to the standard rigid format of reports or theses; it looks at an approach more relevant to qualitative research. The chapter aims to give researches a range of choices regarding audience, voice, format, structure style and what is to be done with the final report, to consider when writing up qualitative research.

Beach, D. 1996. Chapter 2 ‘The ethical Aspects of Scientific Research and Society’ in The Responsible Conduct of Research VCH Publishers: New York. p13-32.

http://library.anu.edu.au/search/rSRES3028/rsres3028/1,1,1,E/frameset~2291435&FF=rsres3028&1,1,

This chapter examines the chronology of ethics in research, starting at the Nuremberg Code in 1946. It examines concepts such as risk/benefit analysis, informed consent, confidentiality and release of information, conflicts of interest; it also presents case studies to illustrate these principles. The book has chapters on current ethical issues in research and society, ethics of data management, responsible lab procedures, intellectual property and misconduct.

Blaxter, L., C. Hughes & M. Tight. 1996. Chapter 1 ‘Reading for Research’ in How to Research. Open University Press: Buckingham, Philadelphia. p91-116.

http://library.anu.edu.au/search/rSRES3028/rsres3028/1,1,1,E/frameset~2128472&FF=rsres3028&1,1,

This is an excellent chapter to read before embarking on your literature review. Gives tips on how to manage the volume of material available, basic reading strategies, how to best record your reading, how to put together a literature review and much more. This is a first-rate book with other chapters on getting started, research methods, managing your project, collecting and analysing data and writing.

Creswell, J.W. & V.L. Plano Clark. 2007. Chapter 1 ‘Understanding Mixed Methods Research’ in Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research. Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks. p1-19.

http://library.anu.edu.au/search/rSRES3028/rsres3028/1,1,1,E/frameset~2291437&FF=rsres3028&1,1,

Offers an introduction to what mixed methods research is and how to use it. The chapter explains that mixed method approach uses quantitative and qualitative approaches in combination to give better understanding of research problems, than either approach alone. Provides examples of when this approach is suitable.

Graziano, A.M. & M.L. Raulin. 1989. Chapter 13 ‘Field Research: A second look at research in natural settings’ in Research Methods: A Process of Inquiry. Harper Collins Publishers: New York. p267-301.

http://library.anu.edu.au/search/rSRES3028/rsres3028/1,1,1,E/frameset~2291444&FF=rsres3028&1,1,

This book has very hard science perspective. It is not the most accessible read, but may be more relevant for those conducting research in the hard science fields. The chapter examines different research designs, control and evaluation. The rest of the book has similar hard science nature dealing with issues such as hypothesis testing and threats to validity, methods of research, control of variance and statistical procedures.

Kitchin, R. & N.J. Tate. 2000. Chapter 1 ‘Thinking about research’ in Conducting Research into Human Geography: theory, methodology, practice. Prentice Hall: Harlow. p28-44.

http://library.anu.edu.au/search/rSRES3028/rsres3028/1,1,1,E/frameset~2291457&FF=rsres3028&1,1,

This is an excellent chapter to read when you are starting out. It starts at the very beginning of the research process by examining what research, and particularly geographic research, is all about. It also does an excellent job of giving a brief outline of the concepts of empiricism, positivism, behaviouralism, phenomenology, existentialism, idealism, pragmatism, Marxism, realism, postmodernism, poststructuralism, and feminism; then helps the reader decide which approach will be most appropriate. This book draws on the human geography discipline and has an excellent chapter on ‘planning a research project’ that outlines choosing a topic, narrowing the focus, research design and choosing methodology. It also has chapters on generating, analysing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data, and writing a thesis.

Murray, W.E & J. Overton. 2003. ‘Designing Development Research’ in Scheyvens R. & D. Storey (eds) Development Fieldwork: A Practical Guide Sage Publications. p17-35.

http://library.anu.edu.au/search/rSRES3028/rsres3028/1,1,1,E/frameset~2291580&FF=rsres3028&1,1,

The chapter examines research philosophy, methodology, logistics and practice. Using metaphors of ‘building’ the research project, the authors emphasise the importance of flexibility and reflexivity in the research process. They also examine different approach methodology, and start at the very beginning in looking at how you conceive of research problems and questions. A very good chapter, especially for those who will be doing social research.

Part 6: Sampling. Lynn, P. ‘Principles of sampling’, ‘Sampling in human populations’. M. Hughes ‘Interviewing’. J. Rowlands ‘Problems of measurement’ in Tony Greenfield (ed) 2002. Research Methods for Postgraduates. Second Edition. Arnold: London. p185-226.

http://library.anu.edu.au/search/rSRES3028/rsres3028/1,1,1,E/frameset~2293289&FF=rsres3028&1,1,

These are very short simple chapters that outline the basic principles of sampling and interviewing, then a section of problems to watch out for. This is another excellent resource with chapters on the research journey, managing a PhD, support, research tools and types, analysis, presentation of your work and specific ‘special tools’ such as mathematical modelling, deterministic models, stochastic models and simulation.

Stock, M. 1985. Chapter 6 ‘Talking about Research’ in A Practical Guide to Graduate Research McGraw-Hill Book Company: New York. p96-134.

http://library.anu.edu.au/search/rSRES3028/rsres3028/1,1,1,E/frameset~2291586&FF=rsres3028&1,1,

Gives tips on how to present your research in seminars, presentations, oral exams, committee meetings, thesis defences and professional meetings. Examines the differences between talking and writing, and what makes a good talk. A bit old-school (gives tips on using a slide machine) but most the information is very relevant to speeches you will have to give during your research. The book has other good chapters on getting starting, grant proposals and writing about research.

Wilkinson, D. 2000. Chapter 2. ‘Planning the Research’ in Wilkinson D (ed) The Researcher’s Toolkit: The complete guide to practitioner research. RoutlegeFalmer: London. p77-96.

http://library.anu.edu.au/search/rSRES3028/rsres3028/1,1,1,E/frameset~2291703&FF=rsres3028&1,1,

This chapter provides an outline of the research process; outlining the importance of planning, framing questions, exploring the literature, collecting and analysing the data, drawing conclusions and writing and submitting the report. This book is also good with chapters on issues in research, reviewing the literature, finding information, analysing quantitative and qualitative data and a specific chapter about working in schools.

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