Research knowledge and skills

This development area incorporates the foundations required for any doctoral candidate to effectively undertake research.

Read on to learn more about the four categories in this development area, covering aspects such as sourcing and storing your data efficiently, rising to the challenges posed by new software and digital tools, navigating contextual frameworks, and developing and critically evaluating knowledge and ideas. 

Finding and managing information

Data discovery and management underpins the research you do. Understanding or updating your knowledge on the most efficient ways to find information, store and manage data and get support can save you a significant amount of time and stress as your research data grows.

Examples and resources

Courses, workshops and events: Literature review: Finding and managing information; Managing research data.

Actions and experiences: Speak to a Research Services Advisor; Create a data management plan; Explore Research hub.

Links to other resources:

Building digital capabilities

Whether you’re exploring referencing tools, data management options, analysing results or growing the reach of your research over social media, there are a plethora of ways that broadening your digital skills can help you work more effectively.

Examples and resources

Courses, workshops and events: Data carpentry; LaTeX; R; Python; HTML; Thesis formatting for Word, SPSS Core Skills, NVivo Core Skills.

Actions and experiences: Join a Hacky Hour; Use a new digital tool; Attend ResBaz.

Links to other resources:

Critical and creative thinking

Critical and creative thinking are essential to generating your original contribution to knowledge, but these skills have far wider applications. In any situation that requires you to solve complex problems, brainstorm, evaluate ideas or analyse information, your ability to imagine new ideas and critically assess existing ones are vital.

Examples and resources

Courses, workshops and events: Critical thinking; Mind mapping; Creativity

Actions and experiences: Participate in the Velocity $100K Challenge; Practice peer review; Explore the Maker Space at Unleash Space; Analyse your data and form a conclusion.

Links to other resources:

Research methods and methodologies

Successful researchers explore and identify appropriate research approaches early on in order to lay the groundwork for successful research.

Examples and resources

Courses, workshops and events: Faculty/LSRI-based seminars and workshops

Actions and experiences: Attend a conference; Meet with an LLS Research Advisor
 

Finding courses, workshops and events

There are a number of places outside of Wahapū that you can browse to find development activities, for example:

Explore the Framework