Planning - Thesis Information - 2016 Draft for Consultation

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Types of thesis

The research topic you choose will have a bearing on the type of study you undertake and how you write your thesis.

Adapted from: http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/9668_023128ch02.pdf

Support for research

University of Otago provides quality resources and services to support researchers:

Planning stages

Your Supervisor/s and Student Learning Development will work with you on the stages in developing your thesis. Subject Librarians can provide support during these specific stages* :

1. Writing your thesis topic outline

2. Reviewing the literature*

3. Writing your research proposal

4. Ethics application

5. Managing your data*

6. Managing copyright*

7. Reviewing the literature*

8. Conducting your research

9. Reviewing the literature*

10. Writing the thesis, including formatting and managing references*

11. Submitting the thesis, including printing and binding*

11. Examining the thesis

12. Depositing the thesis*

Remember to consult the relevant official study pages :

as well as postgraduate pages from your Department or Division.

Research thesis courses

Your department will provide support and training to undertake your research thesis or dissertation.

Student Learning Development run special postgraduate courses for you post enrolment, e.g.:

Mind Mapping, Design Jam
Introduction to the Research Journey
Engaging with the Literature: The Literature Review and the Whole Thesis
Thesis Writing for Postgraduates - Practical

Graduate Research School run workshops for graduate research candidates in Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington.

Managing your data

Does your research involve collection of data?

Managing research data makes it easier to locate, access, and use data at all stages of its lifecycle.

Managing your data - Library guide on creation to documentation, to access, storage, reuse and preservation.

Your research question

Use these tools as you brainstorm your topic and refine your research question.

Mind maps (e.g. Bubbl.us, Mindmeister and Xmind) and spider diagrams.
Search Strategy Worksheet - document your strategies before you do deep database searching towards your literature review.

Read more about applying a systematic approach to searching.

Ethics and consultation

Discuss your research proposal thoroughly with your supervisor(s).

PhD and Research Master's - consult information on ethical approval and regulatory consent.

Research Consultation with Māori
Provides the framework for consulting with Ngai Tahu, as mana whenua | local iwi, about your research goals and process that might involve, impact, or relate to tangata whenua.
Pacific Research
Defines Pacific Research and suggested protocols for University researchers in relation to research involving Pacific peoples in the Otago-Southland region, the rest of New Zealand, and, more generally, in the islands of Oceania.
Researching with Humans or Animals?
If your research project involves human participants and/or animals, work with your supervisor to ensure that your research project meets the highest ethical standards, & complies with the University's ethics policy. This includes seeking approval from the relevant ethics committee where appropriate.
ERIC guidance (Ethical Research Involving Children)
TREAD (The Research Ethics Application Repository)
An open access, online repository of Research Ethics Committee (REC) application forms and consent statements, hosted jointly by The Global Health Network and the Social Research Association. Formerly known as TEAR. Researcher contributions to the resource are welcomed.

If you or your supervisor wishes to discuss your research, or has questions, you can contact the Academic Committees Office, located on the 1st Floor, Scott/Shand House, 90 St David Street, Dunedin. They administer the University of Otago Human Ethics Committee and the University of Otago Human Ethics Committee (Health).