Doing Research

Guidelines for the Preparation of Research Dissertations'Everything has been thought before, but the problem is to think of it again.' Goethe  

Introduction

'While research for personal interest or requirements can (and frequently does) proceed in a sporadic manner, the other purposes for which research is undertaken demand that a much more systematic approach be adopted. This systematic approach finds its reflection in the way in which techniques of research ... are used, and also in the different ways we can learn from research. This learning is determined by the research design which refers to the approach taken to address and provide an answer to the research problem which we have been set. ' Research Methods Online

USQ Resources

• USQ Office of Research & Higher Degrees
  USQ Office of Research & Higher Degrees will enable the efficient update of information provided to research candidates.
  
  
• Guidelines for the Preparation of Research Dissertations
  These guidelines are designed to assist USQ research candidates in the preparation of their dissertation proposal.
  
  
• Research Proposal Structure Keyed to the Thesis Structure
  Professor Chad Perry, formerly of the Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business, USQ. This document provides a suggested outline for a proposal that fits with the structured approach to presenting theses

• Research Bibliography
  A subject listing of recent publications on research held in the USQ Library

Getting Started

• How to Write a PhD Thesis
  This guide to thesis writing gives some simple and practical advice on the problems of getting started, getting organized, dividing the huge task into less formidable pieces and working on those pieces. It also explains the practicalities of surviving the ordeal. It includes a suggested structure and a guide to what should go in each section. It was originally written for graduate students in physics, and most of the specific examples given are taken from that discipline. Nevertheless, the feedback from users indicates that it has been consulted and appreciated by graduate students in diverse fields in the sciences and humanities

• PhD: from first thoughts to finished writing [UQ]
  This site developed by the Learning Assistance Unit at the University of Queensland, is a useful resource for any student doing research. It describes the stages of writing a PhD, contains a useful FAQ section and is generally informative.
  
  
• Writing a Proposal
  Part of the excellent UQ site. Discuss the research proposal at both the early and late stages of candidature as well as giving tips on such things as writing style
  
  
• Writing the Research Proposal
  Section from a very extensive site on research from the University of South Australia. Includes examples of research proposals from different disciplines
  
  
• STAR: Skills to Advance Your Research (University of Technology Sydney)
  This website provides information on good work practice, thesis and career development.
  
  
• Thesis Writing Resources (University of Wollongong)
  This site consists of two sets of resources: one on thesis structure and one on style. The first set provides an overview of the structural characteristics of different thesis types. This overview is supplemented with examples from thesis chapters in a range of disciplines. The second set provides an overview of style and language characteristics of these thesis types

• Theses & Dissertations  
  Just one of the great resources which covers most of the basics from a research proposal to the thesis defence on the Kerlin Research site.
  
  Dead Thesis Society    
  Doesn't look like much when you enter it but has great resources.  Have a look at the Dissertation Doctor which graphically illustrates the dissertation journey.