Postgraduate Toolkit

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

1. Understand the historical, philosophical, international and national contexts in which we do research;
2. Appreciate the significance of ethical considerations in guiding the research process;
3. Recognise the importance of critical reflective and self-reflexive thinking in research;
4. Narrow down the scope of your research project and justify how you have done so;
5. Understand the importance of a well-conceptualised research proposal in guiding the successful execution of the research project;
6. Understand how the golden thread links the key components of the research project;
7. Develop a clear research question that will drive the whole project and from which all the other components of the proposal flow;
8. Develop a Gantt chart to holistically cover all the key activities involved in the research project;
9. Conduct an in-depth risk analysis to identify risk factors that could undermine the successful execution of the project, as well as develop contingency plans to address these; and
10. Write a comprehensive, detailed research proposal that meets your university’s requirements.

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

1. Identify a wide range of possible funders for your research project;
2. Understand the importance of there being alignment between your project and the strategic priorities of the funder;
3. Understand key requirements that funders and review panels would have when evaluating funding applications;
4. Appreciate the significance of eligibility criteria when applying for funding;
5. Recognise the potential weaknesses and subjectivity in review processes;
6. Appreciate the importance of a good contract with the funder that protects your rights and independence as a researcher;
7. Identify the similarities and differences between an academic research proposal and a funding application;
8. Complete a comprehensive Thuthuka application form to apply for National Research Foundation funding;
9. Complete a detailed, realistic budget that considers the hidden costs of the research project and in which each line item is justified; and
10. Complete a detailed project management plan that can be included as an appendix to your funding application.

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

1. Define what research design and methodology is, and why careful planning is such a key component of this;
2. Appreciate the importance of effective record keeping;
3. Identify different types of data (primary and secondary; quantitative and qualitative), the advantages and disadvantages of each and explain why you have chosen a particular type of data;
4. Understand 18 commonly-used research methods, as well as their sub-types, across a range of disciplines and how to choose the most appropriate method(s) for your research;
5. Explain key concepts that examiners and reviewers are likely to raise, namely sampling error, sampling bias, non-sampling error, reliability, validity and trustworthiness, and what measures you are taking to address each of these;
6. Justify your choice of sample size(s) and sampling technique(s);
7. Conduct a pilot test correctly;
8. Justify your choice of data analysis methods;
9. Have a basic understanding of some key principles in descriptive and inferential statistical analysis;
10. Perform content analysis on qualitative data; and
11. Write up a well-structured and soundly conceptualised research design and methodology chapter.

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

1. Have a good writing and editing strategy or routine in place that allows you to complete your thesis in a reasonable amount of time;
2. Choose the most appropriate thesis structure for your kind of research;
3. Write each of the chapters or sections within the thesis in a detailed way that shows the logical unfolding of your research question and the golden thread;
4. Write a high quality literature review that shows an in-depth, critical engagement with the views of various experts and scholars;
5. Understand what a theoretical framework is, where it goes in the thesis, the importance of being able to justify why you have chosen a particular theoretical framework and how to adapt or combine theoretical frameworks to suit your context;
6. Identify the difference between a full thesis and a mini thesis or research report;
7. Comply with your university’s requirements of your thesis as well as requirements for the thesis submission process;
8. Understand what examiners will be looking for when marking your thesis and what the thesis examination process entails;
9. Avoid common mistakes in academic writing;
10. Improve your basic reading and comprehension skills;
11. Know the difference between thesis writing, scientific writing and popular writing for the media; and
12. Understand the structure and writing style used for the legal thesis.

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

1. Understand the various reasons for why it is important to publish a paper;
2. Be aware of the significance of publishing books in your career;
3. Decide on the scope of your paper;
4. Be able to select an appropriate journal for the paper you are writing;
5. Be aware of different kinds of papers, such as review articles, protocol papers and original research papers;
6. Be able to write an original research paper;
7. Have a structured approach to writing a systematic review article;
8. Submit a paper to a journal;
9. Address reviewers’ feedback and be aware of what happens in the peer-review process; and
10. Appreciate the importance of ethical considerations in research.

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

1. Know when you will be presenting your research;
2. Understand the importance of communicating your research to a wider audience;
3. Identify the conferences you would like to attend for the duration of your research project;
4. Appreciate the role of adequate planning when preparing your oral or poster presentation;
5. Be able to present your work on an online platform at a webinar, online conference or thesis defence;
6. Deliver a short oral presentation on your research;
7. Design a poster that succinctly summarises your project; and
8. Know the kinds of questions that audience members are likely to ask you about your research and be able to respond to these.

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

1. Identify the key characteristics of all research projects;
2. List the stakeholders that you need in order for your research project to be completed successfully, and manage these relationships;
3. Appreciate the important role played by the Library at your university;
4. Set the boundaries of your research project;
5. Plan carefully for the research project;
6. Appreciate the significance of understanding the context in which you are doing the research;
7. Know how to complete your research project within your timeframes and budget and to the required quality specifications; and
8. Complete a detailed project management plan that will guide you throughout your research project.

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

1. Identify quality of life challenges that may undermine your progress in completing your research project;
2. Develop a writing schedule, with targets, to work consistently on your thesis;
3. Have sound time management strategies in place to use your limited time more efficiently and effectively and for you to balance your different commitments;
4. Seek psychological help if you need to in order to address a personal problem;
5. Appreciate the importance of self-care on a daily basis;
6. Activate the right side of your brain and do something creative every day;
7. Improve your interpersonal communication by using the Johari Window;
8. Identify ‘blind spots’ that you may have as a researcher;
9. Determine whether there are factors that undermine your motivation to continue with your research project and how to address these; and
10. Recommend strategies to your Human Resources Department on what your organisation can do to better support employees who are studying.

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

1. Know how to choose an appropriate supervisor;
2. Define mentorship and why it is important for supervisors to be good mentors;
3. Differentiate between mentorship and coaching;
4. Be able to assess your dominant mentoring or learning style;
5. Understand the concept of the emotional bank account;
6. Know the key roles and responsibilities of the supervisor and student;
7. Identify your frames of reference and core values;
8. Manage potential conflict between you and your supervisor;
9. Complete a mentoring pledge with your supervisor;
10. Complete a progress report after each progress meeting with your supervisor; and
11. Identify the different components of a performance management system in academia and how each of these would need to be adapted to ensure better postgraduate supervision.

At the end of this chapter, you will be able to do the following:

1. Identify your short-, medium- and long-term research goals and break down each of these goals into practical activities;
2. Share the above research goals with your supervisor, receive feedback on these and use these research goals and activities as a yardstick against which to assess your performance;
3. Determine goals in other aspects of your life, both personally and professionally;
4. Complete the Personal and Professional Development Contract (PDC);
5. Use the PDC as a career-development and self-empowerment tool;
6. Take ownership of achieving your personal and professional goals;
7. Appreciate the importance of self-employment as a career option in today’s world;
8. Know how to start your own business;
9. Understand key success factors that can contribute to the long-term success and sustainability of your business; and
10. Identify strategies that small businesses can use to survive in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.