New book a must for researchers

A new book providing practical advice and strategies for postgraduate researchers will be launched at Southern Cross University this week (March 29).

‘Organizing and Managing Your Research: A Practical Guide for Postgraduates’ focuses on the strategies, skills and systems that can significantly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of all research practice, regardless of the discipline.

It has been written by three Southern Cross University academics: Dr Renata Phelps, senior lecturer in the School of Education and a researcher with the Centre for Children and Young People; Dr Kath Fisher, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at the Graduate Research College; and Associate Professor Allan Ellis, director of Research and Research Training in the School of Commerce and Management.

“Organizational, management and technological skills are critical aspects of research and are often overlooked and undervalued by supervisors and institutions, yet they are exactly the sort of skills that can make the difference between research completed on time and research that lags behind planned timeframes or perhaps is never completed,” Dr Fisher said.

“This book is designed for any research student at honours, masters or PhD level in all disciplines (sciences, social sciences and humanities) and early career researchers.”

Dr Fisher said while much of the content of the book might seem familiar, many researchers did not make the most of the technological and management strategies available to them.

“For instance, most of us know how to use computers to do email, write up our work, search the web and use EndNote, but many people are not getting the most out of these programs to increase research efficiency,” she said.

The book includes information on time, project and process management skills; systems for organising hardcopy and electronic resources; effective library database and web searching; professional networking skills, including setting up your own research website; data management and analysis; efficient writing and word processing; and presentation and publishing skills.

“We wanted to provide information that is informative and easy to read. We’ve focused on giving practical advice, tips and strategies gleaned from experienced researchers,” Dr Fisher said.

The book, published by Sage, also links to a website that includes downloadable templates and live links to appropriate sites.

The book is being launched by Professor Peter Baverstock, Southern Cross University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Research at the Lismore Co-op Bookshop, Goodman Plaza, on Thursday, March 29, between 4pm and 6pm. RSVP: email lismore@coop-bookshop.com.au or phone (02)6621 4484.