Thesis proposal writing workshop series

Eligibility: EdD, DSW and PhD students at the beginning of their research degree Professor Gabrielle Meagher

  Professor Gabrielle Meagher

Day: various Thursdays, March to September (check below for exact dates)
Time: 5–7pm
Venue:

various, see below

To register, email: Professor Gabrielle Meagher
Note: some students are required to enrol in this workshop series as a condition of enrolment (for example, students enrolled in the EdD); for other students, formal enrolment is optional. The Unit of Study code for formally enrolled students is EDPZ5003.


Workshop synopsis


The objective of the series is to support Research Higher Degree students as they prepare their formal thesis proposals for presentation and approval, through a program of workshops organised around issues in thinking, reading and writing about research design and practice. The aims of the workshops are to:

  • support students to develop their own research proposals by giving them an environment in which they discuss and ‘defend’ their proposed approaches, and receive feedback on their proposals-in-development.

  • develop their understanding of ways of writing about social science research methods, to enable them to be critical consumers of research carried out using approaches they may not personally use, but will encounter in the process of writing their thesis proposal and in the research process more generally.


What happens in workshops?

The workshops explore a range of approaches to writing about research practice and emphasise the common logic of the research process, and the importance of rigorous and systematic approaches to writing about design and analysis in all research traditions. Opportunities to write and receive feedback on research writing are integrated into workshop pedagogy.


What will I get out of coming to workshops?

As a result of conscientiously participating in this series of workshops and careful and wide reading, students should be able to write a coherent, rigorous research proposal to support the conduct of their Higher Degree Research. Students will also gain opportunities to work closely with colleagues in the development of their research proposals.


Workshop timetable 2013

Thurs 5-7pm

Venue Topic
14 March A35.419 Introduction to research reading, writing and design
21 March Fisher Library Optimising your use of online library resources (Ms Philippa Crosbie)
28 March A35.419 Literature reviews
11 April A35.419 Significant research questions in educational and social work research (Prof. Peter Freebody)
18 April A35.419 Types of theses (Dr Lindy Woodrow)
2 May A35.419 Theory, coherence and rigour in research design (Prof. Peter Freebody)
9 May A35.419 Writing workshop: the literature review (pt 1)
16 May A35.419 The thesis proposal (Dr Lindy Woodrow)
23 May A35.419 Writing workshop: the background to your study
30 May A35.419  Writing workshop: the social/educational significance of your study
6 June A35.419  Writing workshop: the research significance of your study
     Mid-year break
8 August A35.432  Writing workshop: the literature review (pt 2)
15 August A35.432  Writing workshop: your research question(s)
22 August A35.432  Writing workshop: the research design for your study
29 August A35.432  Writing workshop: explaining selection in qualitative and quantitative research designs
5 Sept A35.432  Writing workshop: the research instruments of your study
12 Sept A35.432  Writing workshop: the research procedures of your study
19 Sept A35.432  Pulling it all together: a plan for a well-justified, well-designed project on an important topic

 Students who register for workshops are expected to attend the whole series offered throughout the year.

To register for this series, contact Professor Gabrielle Meagher


Other doctoral workshops