Postgraduate pages
- Choosing a thesis supervisor or topic
- Construct an argument
- Doing research
- Electronic deposit of coursework theses
- Evaluating information sources
- Finding a thesis
- Grammar
- How to be organised
- How to keep track of information
- Literature review
- Multilingual sites
- PhD stages
- Referencing
- Searching
- Writing
- Writing a thesis
- Information for new postgraduate students is available on the University of South Australia Induction for new students website
Choosing a thesis supervisor/topic
Supervisor
- Finding a Supervisor (opens in new window) How to Succeed in Postgraduate Study by Marie desJardins
Topic
- The Knowledge Base (opens in new window) by William M. Trochim, Cornell University. An online textbook for an introductory course in research methods
- Characteristics of a good thesis topic (opens in new window) Accounting, Finance, and Information Systems, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Finding a Thesis Topic (opens in new window) - from How to Succeed in Postgraduate Study by Marie desJardins
- Finding formulating and exploring your research topic (opens in new window) University of Queensland
- Choosing a subject (opens in new window) - from Paradigm Online Writing Assistant
Construct an argument
- How to construct an argument - a writing centre handout (opens in new window) Emmy Misser, Writing Centre Co-ordinator, © 2002 Wilfrid Laurier University
- The fundamentals of good writing (opens in new window) Site created and maintained by Joe Landsberger, University of St. Thomas' ISS-Learning Center
Doing research
- Qualitative Research in Information Systems (opens in new window) Section Editor: Michael D. Myers. This section aims to provide qualitative researchers in IS - and those wanting to know how to do qualitative research - with useful information on the conduct, evaluation and publication of qualitative research
- Research Methods Knowledge Base (opens in new window) by William M. Trochim, Cornell University. An online textbook for an introductory course in research methods
Managing Information for Research by Orna, E. with Stevens, G. (1995)
Buckingham: Open University Press.
The call number is 001.4 O74Study skills for successful students by Orr, F. (1992)
Sydney: Allen & Unwin
The call number is 371.302812 O75s
Evaluating information resources
- Evaluate your Information A module from Infogate: opening gateways to information, a online tutorial produced by the Library
- Evaluation of information sources (opens in new window) This page contains pointers to criteria for evaluating information resources, particularly those on the Internet. It is intended to be particularly useful to librarians and others who are selecting sites to include in an information resource guide, or informing users as to the qualities they should use in evaluating Internet information. Feedback and suggestions of other sites for inclusion are welcomed by the site maintainer, Alastair Smith
How to be organised
- Managing your time and workload Learning Connection Guide, Studying at University, select no. 3 in the list.
Study Skills for Successful Students, by Orr, Fred (1992) Sydney: Allen & Unwin
The call number is 371.302812 O75sStudying Law at University: Everything You Need to Know by Chesterman, Simon and Rhoden, Clare (1999) Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
The call number is 340.071194 C525Get Great Marks for Your Essays by Germov, John (1996) Sydney: Allen & Unwin
The call number is 808.042 G375Studying Science at University: Everything You Need to Know by Rhoden, Clare and Starkey, Robyn (1998) Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
The call number is 507.11 R475The Research Student's Guide to Success by Cryer, P. (1996) Buckingham: Open University Press.
The call number is 378.170281 C957
Use the Library Catalogue (opens in new window) to find other books on managing your time effectively
Finding a thesis
- on the Internet
Looking for a particular thesis or simply want to see what other people have done in your field of interest? Use one of several thesis databases available by subscription to University of South Australia students, or free on the Internet - on the Library Catalogue
Instructions on how to find out if the University of South Australia Library Catalogue holds a copy of a particular thesis, or simply find out if we hold any work that is in the same field as your own
How to keep track of information
In all stages of the literature review process it is essential to keep track of where you find your information. There is nothing worse than when you are going through all those photocopied journal articles, conference papers etc that you have collected during your research, trying to get them in order prior to compiling your bibliography, only to find out that you did not write down all the details for that particular journal or conference. Hours and hours of valuable time can be wasted by having to come to the Library to rediscover where you found that information.
The Literature Review
The Literature Review has an important function no matter whether you are writing a thesis or a report. Many students find this difficult to write. The following links are from the University of Queensland
- The literature review (opens in new window)
- Why write a literature review? (opens in new window)
- Writing the literature review (opens in new window)
Further literature review resources
Multilingual sites
- Study Guides and Strategies (opens in new window) - This website provides study guides available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Luganda, Turkish, Russian, German, French, and Italian. Covers topics such as preparing to learn, studying, reading skills, writing skills and more...
- English as a second language - Learning Connection provides a range of services
PhD Stages
- PhD
Stages | Information | FAQ (opens in new window) These are three access points to the same site from the University of Queensland.
This project was initiated by the Teaching and Educational Development Institute
of the University of Queensland for the Queensland Higher Education Staff
Development Consortium. Some of the topics covered are listed but the whole
site is well worth a visit
- Writing a proposal (opens in new window)
- Designing and planning research (opens in new window)
- How
to Succeed in Postgraduate Study (opens in new window) This paper attempts to raise some issues that are important for postgraduate
students to be successful and to get as much out of the process as possible,
and for supervisors who wish to help their students be successful. The intent
is not to provide prescriptive advice -- no formulas for finishing a thesis
or twelve-step programs for becoming a better supervisor are given -- but
to raise awareness on both sides of the supervisor-student relationship as
to what the expectations are and should be for this relationship, what a
postgraduate student should expect to accomplish, common problems, and where
to go if the supervisor is not forthcoming
marie@erg.sri.com Marie desJardins, AERG
Original Version -- March 1994
Converted to an Australian context -- July 1996
Referencing
- Referencing and avoiding plagiarism Learning and Teaching Unit, University of South Australia
Searching
- Internet Searching Strategies (opens in new window) - Rice University, Fondren Library. A brief guide to searching for information on the Internet
- Internet Search FAQ (opens in new window) - how to Find Information, People, Data, Text, Pictures, Sounds and Almost Anything Else on the Net
Writing
- Online
Technical Writing Textbook (opens in new window) by David A. McMurrey
An introduction to the kinds of writing skills you need in practically any technically oriented professional job - Notes on the Structure of a Scientific Paper (opens in new window) AERG Guide for Research Students and Supervisors - A scientific paper is a written report describing original research results. The format of a scientific paper has been defined by centuries of developing tradition, editorial practice, scientific ethics and the interplay with printing and publishing services. A scientific paper should have, in proper order, a Title, Abstract, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, and Discussion
- Writing and Presenting your Thesis or Dissertation (opens in new window) by S. Joseph Levine, Ph.D. mailto:levine@msue.msu.edu) this guide looks at topics such as how to select a supportive committee, making a compelling presentation of your research outcomes and strategies for actually getting the paper written. Key ideas are the thinking about it stage; preparing the proposal; writing the thesis or dissertation; and the thesis/dissertation defense
- Paradigm Writing Assistant (opens in new window) - free interactive online writer's guide and handbook
Grammar
- Purdue
University Writing Lab Handouts (opens in new window)
These handouts cover topics such as writing, sentence construction, punctuation, parts of speech, professional writing, writing in the job search, and more - Online
English Grammar (opens in new window)
This grammar has been put on-line by Anthony Hughes and is available free of charge for anyone to use. However, copyright applies to the grammar and a copyright notice can be found below. The author would appreciate it if users would respect the copyright and contact him should any they want to use the grammar in any way that may infringe on the copyright - Elements of Style (opens in new window) by William Strunk, Jr.
Writing a Thesis
- Requirements for Presentation of Theses Guidelines for writing a thesis at the University of South Australia
- Research Writing Skills Prepared under funding from a DEETYA Quality Round 3 Grant awarded to Helen Johnston, Associate Professor Margaret Sharpe and Dr Esther May, and is a result of collaboration between the Learning and Teaching Unit and the Faculty of Health and Biomedical Sciences
- How to Write a PhD Thesis (opens in new window) Some notes by Joe Wolfe School of Physics, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052 Australia
- The Research Thesis: What Examiners Look For (opens in new window) AERG Guide for Research Students and Supervisors - extract of a talk given to the University of Canberra Postgraduate Students Association
Print resources
The Research Student's Guide to Success by Cryer, P. (1996) Buckingham: Open University Press.
The call number is 378.170281 C957How to Get a Research Degree: a Survival Guide by Elphinstone, L. and Schweitzer, R. (1998) Sydney: Allen & Unwin.
The call number is 371.30281 E48How to Research Blaxter, L. Hughes, C. and Tight, M. (1996) Buckingham:
Open University Press.
The call number is 001.42 B645How to Get a PhD: A Handbook for Students and their Supervisors, by Phillips, E.M. and Pugh, D.S. (1994), 2nd ed. Buckingham: Open University Press.
The call number is 378.24 P558h.2
Use the Library Catalogue (opens in new window) to find other books on writing a thesis