Getting to grips with postgraduate study Postgraduate Orientation Welcome Dr Julie Trafford Student Learning Services Libraries & Learning Services Allow time to think, read and write! Take a notebook/ ipad with you to record ideas The clock just keeps on ticking! Would you be uncomfortable talking in front of a group of 10+ academics &/or postgraduate colleagues? If yes, raise your hand Look around Tell your neighbour why you would feel uncomfortable You are not alone!!! Get over it! I feel ill! Perhaps noone will show? I’ll just keep talking so no-one can ask questions! Participation & presentations are a BIG part of postgraduate & work life! Lectures are discussion based – you might have to lead the discussion You will present your research (proposal) to colleagues & academics Conference presentations Presentation tips (from a wise, not so old , )  Prepare – know the material: – Content, process, context  Practise  It’s not all about the PowerPoint! (Death by PowerPoint)  Know your audience  What is your take-home message?  Encourage constructive feedback  Have a colleague take notes or record You’ve reached the end of your presentation  …. But, Oh NO! … What will academics often question you about? What topic is – focused argument/ question Why the knowledge is important Fit with surrounding knowledge – theories, concepts, models, … - & practises How it is researched – content, process, context So what? – contribution to knowledge practical application Prepare for these! Get real with reading! How long can you concentrate on an academic text for? A) 20 mins B) 30 mins C) 1 hour So, read in 30 min blocks:  5 min preview  20 min close read  5 min recall Source: Addetia et al. (2014) So how do you read an academic article? • Know your purpose/ focus for reading it – Develop questions & sub-questions to answer • Do a 5 minute preview/ survey first with pen in hand: – Abstract, intro, conclusion, headings, tables, figures – Also look around the body of text … Source: Addetia et al. (2014) Where was it published? When was it published? Source: Addetia et al. (2014) Who funded it?  Read actively – underline, highlight, write key words in margin, seek answers to questions …  Read critically – think, raise questions, read between the lines, look for gaps…  Record key points - come up with own examples, write your own response, construct a mind map, draw up a summary table, link the various readings together If you don’t understand a theory or concept … • it • Find the original source of an idea • Consult introductory text books or a glossary/ subject dictionary • Read review articles on your topic • Email the author for clarification, further information, or to locate his/her other works Critical reading… • Summarising & defining Who? What? • Analysing Why? How? • Hypothesising What if? • Evaluating Do I agree? Is it ethical? What are the benefits? What is my experience? Question the author, the material & yourself as reader  Consider each reading in the broader topic context What does it add? How does it compare? Where are the gaps?  Create a reading or literature map Source: Manalo, E., & Trafford, J. (2004). Thinking to thesis: A guide to graduate success at all levels. Auckland, New Zealand: Pearson Education. Source: Manalo, E., & Trafford, J. (2004). Thinking to thesis: A guide to graduate success at all levels. Auckland, New Zealand: Pearson Education. Right how you write! Learn what it means to write well in your field Find models of good writing Put time into rewriting Build a critical argument Avoid this last minute writing method … Write first draft  Choose question  Submit! Read  Source: Student Learning Services, University of Auckland Source: Student Learning Services, University of Auckland 20 Who you gonna call?  Writer’s block ghost busters   Subject librarian  Enrol in a Library & Learning Services workshop Starring at a blank page? Don’t know where to start with writing or researching? Or… 600,329 Overwhelmed with too much information? Look up all the recent articles in MedLine on Stress? Whatcha gonna do? tips for researching 4 writing Overview literature – quick survey Topic – research question My argument Focus – sub-questions Read literature to answer questions Manage literature – use RefWorks or EndNote Take notes by sub-question What is....? How does....? What if...? Use the subquestions as headings in your draft Add a table if that aids summary and critique What is....? Source Page no. Notes Critique A 231 Broadest definition Will be a good broad found definition for introduction B 46 Definition from 1970s Too dated to apply to current context. Contradicts with... Join the research community: Become an in(ter)dependent researcher  UoA is a research – led/ - intensive university!  Whenever you undertake a 'research' activity, imagine that you are applying for $20,000 funding (you wish!) Question Data collection Answer Data analysis  Up skill where necessary! Postgrad study is not a spectator sport!  Join professional organisations  Attend school seminars  Attend conferences  Join Study groups (Reading; Writing; Theory, Methodology…)  Teach  Publish  Join PGSA  Use technology wisely Mentorship Learning/ development Transferable skills Sense of belonging Social interaction Support Feedback Referees Networking Disciplinary context/ knowledge Some essential postgraduate ‘ings Thinking! Learning! Leading! Transforming! Networking! Participating! Challenging! Enjoying! Talking! Reading! Creating! Researching! Writing! Contributing! Theorising! Conceptualising! Philosophising! Developing transferable skills! Thank you for your time and All the best with your postgraduate study at the University of Auckland! 