With just 6 weeks left in the (university) year, we’re packing in some last-minute learning before the summer break.
We look forward to welcoming our PG Writers’ Retreat participants for quality uninterrupted writing time on the beach from 18-20 November! If you missed out on this retreat, keep your eyes on the website linked above for more dates in the new year.
We also wish a warm welcome to all our new doctoral students joining with the October intake. If you’ve been invited to the Doctoral Induction on 14 November, we hope you can join us for a mihi whakatau (formal welcome) and sessions about how to thrive in your programme. (Expecting an invite, but haven’t received one? Contact red@aut.ac.nz.)
And of course, there are plenty of workshops on offer this month – check below for the full listings. Highlights include lots of writing sessions from our friends at Te Mātāpuna AUT Library, and a couple of great hands-on thesis formatting workshops from MS Word guru Sue Knox. Bookings are available for all workshops on eLab, or use the direct link for your chosen workshop below.
Postgraduate Research Workshops in November 2024
| What? | Where? | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Literature searching for postgraduate research This Library workshop will take you through an advanced literature searching process: developing a search strategy, using different search techniques and best practices for recording and managing results. Participants will have a chance to practise and ask questions. | Online | Mon 4 Nov, 5:30pm – 7:00pm |
| Responsible use of GenAI in research This workshop will introduce a range of popular AI tools and their applications in conducting research and help you to critically evaluate their uses. The session will also explore ethical and academic integrity considerations in AI use with reference to AUT’s current guidelines. | Akoranga campus | Tue 5 Nov, 11:30am – 1:00pm |
| Understanding Format 3 at AUT: Q&A forum This forum is an opportunity to ask questions about aspects of Format 3 (‘practice-oriented research’). Please note, you must watch the relevant video available on the PG_Me organisation on Canvas prior to attending. | Online | Tue 5 Nov, 1:00pm – 1:30pm |
| NVivo quick start This course is targeted at researchers wanting an efficient means of handling and analysing their qualitative data. No prior knowledge of the software is assumed; however a basic understanding of qualitative analysis procedures would be helpful. | City campus | Wed 6 Nov, 9:30am – 4:00pm |
| Thesis writing: Conclusions An overview of the structure of a Conclusion section of a thesis. Identifies typical functions and distinctive features of this section in relation to the whole research project. Participants analyse and discuss text examples and relate these to their own writing. | Online | Wed 6 Nov, 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
| Systematically searching for health literature This Library workshop will take you through the literature searching process: developing a search strategy, searching health databases in a systematic way, and best practices for recording and managing results. Please have your research question handy so you can use it to develop and practice your search. | Online | Wed 6 Nov, 12:00pm – 1:30pm |
| Thesis writing: Discussions Provides an overview of the structure of discussion sections within a thesis. Identifies typical functions and distinctive features of this section in relation to the whole research project. You will analyse and discuss text examples and relate these to your own writing. | Online | Wed 6 Nov, 5:30pm – 7:30pm |
| Thesis writing: Connecting parts to the whole Discusses how the different parts of a thesis connect to each other. Participants will analyse examples relevant to them and practice using language to clearly show how existing knowledge connects to their new research, to what others may do with it in the future, and where that information gets organised across a thesis. Bring an article you have read recently and a sample of your own writing. | Online | Wed 13 Nov, 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
| Writing clear and persuasive arguments Considers fundamental differences between writing descriptively and persuasively. Participants will look closely at why some arguments are easy to follow. We also consider the way language enables us to control how much we align with other points of view. Bring an article you have read recently and a sample of your own writing where you are either writing about past literature or discussing your research findings. | Online | Wed 13 Nov, 5:30pm – 7:30pm |
| Thesis writing: Connecting your findings and literature review sections Examines connections between a literature review and a findings/results section of a thesis or article. You will use your own work or chosen article to visually track where concepts are first introduced and then continue to be used for a sustained argument. Suited to research students who have already drafted their research findings and literature review. Please bring a device. | Online | Thu 14 Nov, 5:30pm – 7:30pm |
| Thesis formatting: The works This workshop focuses on the best ways to use Microsoft Word to handle a long document such as a thesis. Topics covered will include: using styles, section breaks, table of contents, page numbering and using various techniques to move around a long document easily. | City campus | Sat 16 Nov, 9:00am – 2:00pm |
| Publishing for postgraduates and early career researchers This Library workshop will help you find relevant publications for your research. You will learn about the elements of a publishing strategy and how to find and evaluate journals to publish in. | Online | Tue 19 Nov, 12:00pm – 1:30pm |
| Qualitative analysis for beginners This workshop provides a focused introduction to qualitative data analysis, and will cover the key stages in the process such as data preparation, coding, and identifying patterns in your data. It is interspersed with practical tips and aims to leave attendees feeling more confident in approaching this vital—but inevitably messy—stage of the research cycle. | City campus | Wed 20 Nov, 9:30am – 12:30pm |
| Getting started with writing Focuses on strategies to help researchers digest reading in preparation for writing about what you’ve read. Participants try freewriting and mapping concepts as strategies to get words on the page and then create more structured writing. Bring an article you have read recently and a sample of your own writing. | Online | Wed 20 Nov, 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
| Qualitative writing for beginners This training course covers tips and tricks for writing up qualitative research, as well as techniques for getting started and keeping going. A demonstration of the writing process is also provided. There will be guidance on representation of the researcher’s voice, which can be a challenge for those new to qualitative approaches. Practical ideas for working with NVivo outputs, and effective use of verbatim extracts will also be covered. | City campus | Thu 21 Nov, 9:30am – 12:30pm |
| Generating content for online researcher profiles Focuses on thinking through who you are as a researcher for the purpose of generating and refining content for research profiles. Engage in practical activities to identify and reflect on what you research, how and why you research it, and who is in your research network. Bring a device and be prepared to log in to AUT’s Microsoft 365 during the workshop. | Online | Thu 21 Nov, 2:00pm – 4:00pm |
| Thesis writing: Literature reviews An overview of the structure of literature reviews within a thesis. Identifies typical functions and distinctive features of this section in relation to the whole research project. Participants analyse, discuss and relate text examples to their own writing. Systematic reviews are not covered. | Online | Tue 26 Nov, 2:00pm – 4:00pm |
| Thesis writing: Introductions An overview of the structure of an Introduction section of a thesis. Identifies typical functions and distinctive features of this section in relation to the whole research project. Participants analyse and discuss text examples and relate these to their own writing. | Online | Wed 27 Nov, 5:30pm – 7:30pm |
| Thesis writing: Highlighting research significance Explores where and how you can make your research findings stand out. Participants will consider ‘what matters’ and ‘who cares’ and where this information goes. Bring an article you have read recently and a sample of your own writing. Suited to PG research students who already have their research findings. | Online | Thu 28 Nov, 5:30pm – 7:30pm |
| Thesis formatting: BYO text This practical, computer-based workshop is designed for research students who have started writing their dissertation/thesis in Microsoft Word and are having problems formatting their document. Learn the solutions to your issues and ways to prevent future problems. Note: You are encouraged to bring your work along; get hands-on assistance by solving your dilemmas. | City campus | Sat 30 Nov, 9:00am – 1:00pm |
