Where to start with the literature review?

I have written and re-written a couple of literature reviews and now that I am embarking on my PhD journey, I know it is an area that I need to further develop.

My first port of call I recommend is your university's faculty librarian. They are a wealth of knowledge. I already know my librarian from my Master's degree- she taught me how to use Endnote! I have improved my search technique and I have set up alerts for my search 'strings'- a list of key words related to my topic. I have also saved the search strings to use again later in my research.

I will develop a mind map or as my Librarian calls it- semantic mapping.  A map of key words that shows my main themes, related and similar key words and how they are connected. This provides a base for sorting and structuring the literature. When I finish my map I will be happy to share on Twitter - look up @studybreak.

For alternate terms and further literature, I will take a look at other articles that have cited the work that is relevant to my topic. This will add to my semantic map and provide further search strings to work with.

Another approach I will take is to look through theses online. Your University will have a repository of their theses and publications or you can have a look at TROVE that was formally known as the Australasian Digital Theses. This is a great way to see how literature reviews can be structured and how how they differ between the types of theses and methodology. I will be looking for theses that have a literature review that I believe is structured in a way that I believe suits my style of writing and chosen methodology.

Do you have any literature review tips to share?

My newest research tool: using a livescribe smart pen in research

I have spent the last two hours playing with my latest research tool: a livescribe wifi smart pen. I have used the livescribe echo smart pen previously for my master's research. It made data collection and the transcribing of interviews much easier and it was also a fun way to integrate technology into my research.

The difference between the Echo and the Wifi version is in the name itself. To retrieve the audio and writing, the Echo needed to be connected to a computer whereas the wifi version syncs wirelessly to the application Endnote. I already had an Endnote account and the application on my ipad and now my laptop. But it is easy to set up Endnote if you haven't done this yet.

I realise not only is this tool going to come in handy for my qualitative data collection for my current research product but also for meetings and seminars as writing without recording audio is an option as my notes will be synced and can be transformed to readable text. 

Have you used a Livescribe smartpen in your research?

The elusive scholarship

I attended a seminar on how to obtain a HDR scholarship at my University yesterday. Last round, only 8 out of around 100 applications received a scholarship. However, I do believe in the old adage 'you have to be in it to win it'. 

Scholarships are awarded based on a point system. What I have realised is that I need to get an article published in a peer-reviewed article (or a book chapter!) to be in with a good chance. My goal is to get at least one article published in the next 12 months. So even if I am not successful this round, I will continue to apply each round until I do obtain that elusive scholarship or I am awarded my PhD! A $26k stipend would help quite a bit! It would also mean I could go full -time instead of part-time.

Have you received a HDR scholarship? What are your tips for gaining that elusive scholarship?

Completing the first milestone

Already in week 2 and preparing my first milestone- the Research Plan. The Research Plan includes milestone dates and deadlines, training I'm intending to undertake, a supervisor- student role perspectives survey, plans to publish, terms of agreement and schedule of meetings. I also included a project overview on a Gantt chart, a year long project planner and my intended research design in a flow chart.This Research Plan will form part of my progress report required bi- annually.

My first milestone should be complete in the next two weeks. Then I look to the next item on the agenda- the Literature Review. 

My first week as an HDR student - what are you doing today?

I knew that as soon as I was accepted into the PhD program I would hit the ground running.
My first week as an HDR probationary candidate entailed;

-meeting with my Supervisor
-scheduling workshops and research days
-beginning my research plan
-filling in a survey regarding supervisor and student roles
-watching HDR induction videos
-reading policies and procedures (recently updated)
-re-doing my research planner
-updating my research gantt chart (love my Gantt!)
-setting up NVivo for Lit review


A great tip from Dr Lee-Ann Bye, USC, when she was a PhD candidate, was if someone asks what you are doing today, reply with 'I am working'. This will be one of the best tips to keep with me as I found when I did my research for my Master's degree, others thought that if I was home, I was free to do as I pleased including odd jobs for them! So, instead of saying 'I am studying', I will be saying 'I am working!'.

Day 1 - on probation

There are lots of little steps to meet the milestones required to complete a PhDrogram.

Today was my first meeting with my supervisor to discuss my project. Although I have had plenty of meetings and catch ups with her, today is the first as a PhD student.

I'm privileged to have a supervisor that is supportive, knowledgeable and that I have already worked with. I always leaving her office more motivated than before.

I now have two months to meet my first milestone deadline- my research plan. I have hit the ground running, which I expected, but I'm still trying to get my head around that I am on my new journey. One that I have been dreaming about for a few years and now it's real.

The next few months, I will be establishing clear goals, scheduling workshops for professional development and writing my Research Plan document. 

Next...Milestone two...

Offer of acceptance!

Oh to have the words written 'I'm very please to offer you a place in the PhD program'.

Yes it it's probationary until confirmation but it's that one small step closer to...the next step!

It is a wonderful feeling and a great end to the week to read those words. I have this weekend to breathe before I hit the ground running. I look forward to the journey ahead and everything that comes with undertaking a PhD program.

Stay tuned...😀