Introduction to Postgraduate Study Skills

8/12/2019 Introduction to Postgraduate Study Skills

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Week 1: Introduction PostgraduateStudy Skills

19/09/2013

19/09/2013 Developing Skills for Business Leadership 2

Why are Skills Important?

Source: www.thegordon.edu.au


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Essential Postgraduate StudySkills

Pillars of Postgraduate Study

Critical Thinkinga meta-skill i.e. a skill that subsumes & enhances many other skillsthat competent professionals possess

Reading

Writing


Essential Postgraduate StudySkills

Expected to study at Advance Level

Independent study than as an Undergraduate

Deeper understanding of subjects

Scrutinising any materials through a criticalapproach


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Difference in Undergraduate &

Postgraduate Approaches to StudyThink about a Topic: E.g. HRM In China

Undergraduate Approach Postgraduate Approach

Collecting Information aboutthe Country (probably from theInternet)

Collecting information aboutthe country from more thanone source and scrutinising itfor quality and veracity (e.g.Journal Article)

Using theory to understand the

different aspects of humanresource function

Using (and possibly

integrating) different theories,looking at the situation fromdifferent perspectives andevaluating theories for theirsuitability


Difference in Undergraduate &Postgraduate Approaches to Study

Think about a Topic: E.g. HRM In ChinaUndergraduate Approach Postgraduate Approach

Describing your understandingof the human resource function

employment practices in thecountry in question

Using theory with a clearargument and concise language,

eliciting the meaning of thesituation

Identifying good and badpractice, possibly followed bysome basic recommendations

Identifying and evaluatingpractices, taking the countryswider context into account,possibly offering some thoughtfulrecommendations withconsideration to theconsequences


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Mind MAP

Source:blogs.funiber.org


Critical Questions

Why? To what extent? For what reasons? How do we know this is true? Is there sufficient evidence for the claim?

Does the evidence add up?What do we not know about the topic? Is there any bias? How reliable is the source of evidence?What are the authors credentials? Is there a hidden agenda?What are the implications?


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What is Critical Thinking?

A way of interacting with others (Cottrell, 2005)

A very deep, reflective and independent form ofthinking that seeks to understand theassumptions and thought structures behind astatement or argument (Hughes, 2000)

Seen as one of the main pillars of the educational;trinity of knowledge, intelligence and thinking(De Bono, 1976)


Critical Thinking Skills

Interpretive skills

to identify the meaningof a statement

Verification skills to determine the veracity of a statement

Reasoning skills

to analyse the inferences made in an argument

Source: Hughes, 2000


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The Process of Critical Thinking(by Brookfield, 1987; Fisher, 2001; Cottrell, 2005 & Wallace and

Wray, 2006)

1. Identifying and challenging assumptions,arguments and conclusions

2. Evaluating evidence that supports any pointsmade and identifying any unsupported claims

3. Weighing up opposing arguments and takingsupporting evidence into account

4. Reading between the lines and understandingdeeper meaning

5. Recognising any flaws, hidden agendas ormismatch with other authors arguments

6. Taking context, purpose and values into account


The Process of Critical Thinking(by Brookfield, 1987; Fisher, 2001; Cottrell, 2005 & Wallace and

Wray, 2006)

7. Matching authors claims with your own knowledgeand experiences.

8. Reflecting on issues in a structured, logical andinsightful way.

9. Drawing conclusions based on evidence and

reasonable assumptions.10. Clarifying expressions, claims and meanings.

11. Producing logical arguments.

12. Presenting a viewpoint clearly and with goodreasoning.

13. Exploring alternatives in a creative and reflectivemanner.


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What is Critical Reading?

Reading is an integral part of postgraduate study

You will need to select appropriate materials foryour study, access them strategically through yourlibrary, read them critically, and evaluate them inthe light of any claims made and any evidence

presented (Cottrell, 2003)


The Process of Critical Reading

Motivation for

READINGUnderstanding

the LITERATURE

Selecting the LITERATURE

Clarifying

Terms and Definitions

Identifying Key Words

Searching for Literature

Accessing the Literature

Critical Reading & Analysis


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Knowing why you read?To Find out moreMore InterestedSearching for Practical application

Types of Literature!!

Reference Literature which provides definitions andexplanations of terms & concepts

Theoretical Literature which develops and reports theoreticaladvances in a field



Review Literature which reviews current theory and research ina field of study

Research Literature which reports original research to deepenthe understanding of a topic of interest or to test theory

Methodological Literature which suggests advances in methodsof study

Practice Literature which focuses on practical aspects of theoryand research

Policy Literature which reviews policies & suggestsamendments


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Other Relevant Sources

Internet Sources? Be aware of Limitations of free materials Problems with Quality Assurance If using, try to be ABLE to identify the Authors/Editors of the

source as well as affiliation to establish RELIABILITY

LIBRARY!! Hard copy books Academic Journals

Portal for VIRTUAL RESOURCES which might not beavailable by other means


Evaluating the Relevance ofLiterature

1. How recent is the item?

2. Is the item likely to have been superseded?

3. How relevant is the item for the purpose ofreading?

4. Have you seen references to this item (or its

author) in other items that were useful?5. Does the item support or contradict your

arguments?

6. Does the item appear to be biased?

7. What are the methodological omissions from thework?

8. Is the precision sufficient?


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If you can, SCAN an item to check relevance

Strategic & Selective Reading

When Accessing for the 1st time start withSUMMARY information

If information sounds PROMISING then proceedto INTRODUCTION and CONCLUSION to learn

more

If source is RELEVANT and SUITABLE you needto select the most relevant parts-headings & sub-headings



Once you have selected the most RELEVANT partsstart READING from there

Bearing in mind your MOTIVATION in readingthat item, you need to decide HOW you can use

WHAT you are reading and HOW much detail yourequire (this may vary from source to source


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Helpful Resource: Note-Taking

Crucial to take NOTES about WHAT you readingand your THOUGHTS on the material

Note-Taking enhances your concentration andunderstanding, helps you to retain what you haveread and aids you with REVISING content(Cameron, 2007)

Next step is WRITING which supports yourthinking and allows you to create new knowledge(Huff, 2002)


What is Critical Writing?

Means to APPLY your critical thinking skills to yourWRITING, which is a vital process for the creationand communication of knowledge in the socialsciences

Is best perceived as the CONTINUATION of thecritical reading process

Is about carefully crafting the ARGUMENT of yourwriting by determining the CLAIM,

JUSTIFICATION and any supporting EVIDENCE


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Effective Writing Skills

Requires to communicate knowledge,understanding and skills to others in a clear andconcise manner

Requires understanding of arguments, structureand language as well as practice of how toconstruct a text

Requires writer to STRUCTURE text so that the

framework follows a LOGICAL line of thought soas to make it easier for the READER tounderstand and access what is beingcommunicated


Three Main Parts of WrittenTEXT

Part one: Introduction states the claim of an argument (orwhat the text is about)

Part two: Main body justifies the argument and supportsit through appropriate evidence

Part three: Conclusion summarises the argument andhighlights any key points.


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Language of Effective Writing

Concise giving a lot of information clearly and in fewwords (Oxford Dictionary, Thesaurus etc)

Unambiguous a term should have only one clearlydefined meaning

Professional formal and objective, sparing use ofabbreviations (Cottrell, 2003)


Helpful Questions

1. What is the critical assumption I am making? Howreasonable is it?

2. Are all claims I am making supported by evidence?How credible and appropriate is the evidencesupporting my argument?

3. Are my conclusions based on evidence andreasonable assumptions?

4. Have I clarified expressions, claims and themeaning of key terms and concepts?

5. Does my argument follow a logical line ofthought?

6. Have I considered alternative arguments?


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Use of ARGUMENTS in EffectiveWriting

An argument consists of a claim and a justification

Hence, it is a causal relationship between twopieces of information (the claim and the

justification)

The logical strength of an argument depends notonly on the extent to which the claim is justified(Hughes, 2000) but also on the means whether by

facts, data or other evidence, by definitions orprinciples, or by causal explanations,recommendations and value judgements (Fisher,2001)


The Critical Assumption

The critical assumption is the assumption on whichthe causal relationship between claim and

justification depends

The absence of such a critical assumption is oftencalled non-sequitur, which is Latin for it does notfollow and which suggests that the assumptions donot support the claim of the argument


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Side by Side Justification ofArguments

JustificationOne

JustificationThree

JustificationTwo

ClaimAlsoFurthermore

For all the Reasons Above


Chain of Reasoning

SO THUSTHEREFORE

Statement Claim Justification Conclusion


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Writing Effective ESSAYS

Essays respond to a question or proposition in alogical, reasoned and evidenced manner (Horn 2009,p292)

Essays can help you to explore a question in depth(Cottrell 2003) and to develop your thinking throughwriting (Huff, 1999)

The introduction and conclusion should not take upmore than 10% of the word count, so that you candevote 80% to the argument (Cottrell, 2003)


Writing Effective ESSAYS

Essays do not contain headings

Each paragraph has a clearly specified role and islinked to the previous one by appropriate language

indicators to create a coherent narrative

Ideally, the conclusion will pick up the key themes ofthe introduction and main body of your essay


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What is Critical Review?

A critical literature review is an integral part of aproject or dissertation

It is best defined as a systematic method foridentifying, evaluating and synthesising existingliterature in a topic area (Fink, 2005)

It is about an original assessment of previouslypublished research in which different theories areanalysed and the link between them established


A Critical Literature ReviewHas.

The Following Characteristics

1. Breadth number of theories and debates discussed

2. Depth level of detail in which theories and debatesare discussed

3. Rigour extent to which all sources were treated thesame

4. Clarity

5. Conciseness

6. Effective analysis and synthesis of ideas


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Tips for Writing EffectiveCritical Reviews

A critical literature review needs to feature OPPOSINGVIEWS; Find out about different SCHOOLS of thoughtwithin your subject area

Try to read as much about the SOURCE (Introduction,Method, Findings)

Identify recurring THEMES & organise it into a

STRUCTURE

The Conclusion should be BALANCEDSource: Jesson and Lacey (2006)


Writing Effective Projects &Dissertations

An Integral part of Postgraduate Study

A single piece of work; bringing together knowledgeand skills that you will have acquired through the

taught elements of your course

It will account for a considerable part of your degreeand will enable you to build specialist knowledge inyour field of study


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Stages in Projects/Dissertations

Design Stage

Research Stage

AnalysisStage

WritingUp

Stage


Criteria for Suitable ResearchTOPICS

1. Relevance to discipline of study

2. Topic of interest

3. Prior knowledge and expertise

4. Researchable

5. Level of study

6. Research capability

7. Feasibility

Source: Currie (2005)


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Basic Elements in Writing ofProjects/Dissertations

Chapter Content QuestionAnswered

Introduction Outlines what research wasabout; details the researchobjectives, aims and questions

What?

Literature Review Critically discusses key authorsand their arguments; Best

structured according tothemes; Identifies gaps inexisting research

Why?

Methods Details & justifies methods ofdata collection; data analysis;as well as Ethical issues andLimitations

How?


Basic Elements in Writing ofProjects/Dissertations

Findings Details key Findings of yourresearch; best structuredaccording to the same themesas literature review

What?

Conclusion Summarises key issues;determines the extent to whichresearch questions have been

answered; Suggests area offuture research;Recommendations

What, Why & How?

References Provides a list of referencescited in the dissertation

Appendices (ifapplicable)

It is customary to provide copyof questionnaire/interview

schedule or any other relevantinformation


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Top Tips in Writing Projects/Dissertations

Tell the READER

Signposting

Written text i.e. Literature

Interpret the Data (dont leave it on the READER)

Whilst writing RESULTS ask yourself SO- WHAT?

Conclusion

Use of Appendices sparingly/appropriately

Browse previous projects/dissertations

Proofread before SUBMISSION


Preliminary Materials

A project or dissertation will contain a number ofelements that do not belong to the main part of the text:

Title page

Declaration of authorship (if required)

Abstract/executive summary (if required)

Acknowledgements

Table of contents

Table of figures or tables, glossary, etc


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Referencing!!!

The claim of your argument tends to be your own idea,while the justification of the claim will come fromalready published ideas, theories, models and data,which need to be referenced

Two Aspects:

In-Text/Paragraph ReferencingIn the End/Bibliography Referencing


Reference Checklist &Bibliography

For Journals/Periodical:Author, Initials., Year. Title of article. Full Title of Journal,Volume number (Issue/Part number), Page numbers.

For Book:

Author, Year. Title of book. Edition. Place of publication:Publisher.

Chapter in Edited Book:Chapter author., Year. Title of chapter. Book editor, Title ofbook. Place ofpublication: Publisher. Chapter or page reference.


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Reference Checklist &Bibliography

Webpage:Author, Initials., Year. Title of document or page. [type ofmedium]. Website Address Locating details [Accesseddate]

Dissertation:Author, Initials. Title of dissertation. Place of Publication,Publisher Name/Name of Degree- Awarding Institution)


Key Learning Outcomes fromWeek 1

There is a world of difference in writing forUndergraduate Degree and Postgraduate Degree

CRITICAL THINKING is an integral SKILL (bothAcademic & Workplace Skill)

Thinking leads to CRITICAL READING ANDCRITICAL WRITING

REFERENCING is crucial Academic SKILL must bemastered by all Postgraduate Students


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CAUTION!!!

Source: www.austhink.com

Documents

Introduction to Postgraduate Study Skills