Research Training: Knowledge & intellectual abilities

NVivo for beginners

This session will use the latest NVivo qualitative software package to enhance your knowledge of the application.

Intended learning outcomes:

At the end of this session you will be able to:

• Navigate easily around the NVivo interface.
  
• Import text, audio, video, pdf and image files into NVivo.
  
• Be able to title and provide descriptions of the different media content.
  
• Create nodes and coding across a variety of media.
  
• Add titles and descriptions to different media sources and nodes.
  
• Be able to organise your data in a hierarchical structure, and be able to add memos.
  
• Create a Framework Matrix.
  
• Apply NVivo's basic analytical functions, including text searches and word frequency queries.
  
• Be able to create models and export them to Word and PowerPoint.
  

Facilitator: Andy Edwards-Jones
Applicability: Suitable for most research students and research staff.

Course dates and times: 

• 18 November 2021, 1400-1630 UK time on Zoom
• 10 February 2022, 1400-1630 UK time on Zoom
• 9 June 2022, 1400-1630 UK time on Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

NVivo users workshop (intermediate)

This workshop style session is intended to provide you with some dedicated time to start, or continue working with your own research data in NVivo, with facilitator support on hand.

Intended learning outcomes:

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Use your learning outcomes from previous introductory NVivo training and put them into practice using your own data.
• Import and organise your own data.
• Establish a coding framework for your own data.
• Code your own data.
• Use NVivo's basic analytical functions.
• The workshop will be delivered in two parts. Part 1 will involve learning about specific functions of the application such as framework matrices, classifications, queries, auto coding, importing bibliographic databases, and visualisation with models. Part 2 will allow attendees to progress their own NVivo projects using their own data, and address specific areas of interest.

Facilitator: Andy Edwards-Jones

Applicability: This session is not an introduction to NVivo. It is aimed t research students and staff that have completed the NVivo introductory training workshops or have some working experience of the application, but would benefit from further guidance while progressing their own research work.Participants are encouraged to bring their own research data ready to import into NVivo, or a copy of an existing NVivo project or a laptop with an NVivo project already loaded.

Course dates and times: 

• 9 December 2021, 1400-1630 UK time on Zoom
• 17 March 2022, 1400-1630 UK time on Zoom
• 21 July 2022, 1400-1630 UK time on Zoom (was 14 July 22)

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

SPSS

This session will use the SPSS software to enhance your knowledge of the applied statistics and of the package. We will consider data structure as well as the differences between samples and populations.

Intended learning outcomes:

• Common statistical distributions will be introduced.
• Useful methods for graphical, tabular and statistical summaries will be explored, along with various calculations, sorting, selection and transformation.
• Finally, there will be both an introduction to hypothesis testing and Confidence Intervals using both parametic and non-parametic methods.

Facilitator: Yinghui Wei
Applicability: Suitable for most research students and research staff.

Course dates and times: 

• 11 March 2022, 1000-1200 UK time on Zoom
• 15 June 2022, 1000-1200 UK time on Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

Understanding and working with quantitative data

This session will explain the principle methods involved in the analysis of data collected and the basic ideas behind each. The aim of the session is to increase your understanding of the use of statistics and how they are used in scientific and medical research.

Intended learning outcomes

• highlight common errors made and how to avoid them.
  
• demonstrating how to run each test using common software will be given without the use of over-complicated mathematical formulas.
  

Facilitator: Daniela Oehring
Applicability: Suitable for most research students

Course dates and times: 

• 16 November 2021, 1400-1600 UK time on Zoom
  
• 18 May 2022, 1400-1600 UK time on Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

Introduction to Python

This is an introductory course for absolute beginners in Python who are interested in discovering and learning Python programming language. This course will make the participant understand different variable, functions types and performing basic maths operations. You will also learn how to import a local file and read its data.

Intended learning outcomes:

You will become familiar with the basic functions and syntax, in particular, the following topics:-

• variables, data types, comments and math operators
  
• strings and print
  
• conditionals and flow control
  
• functions and importing modules
  
• lists, for loops, tuples and sictionaries
  
• functions.
  

Facilitator: Martin Coath
Applicability: Suitable for most research students and research staff.

Course dates and times: 

• 14 December 2021, 1000-1130 UK time on Zoom - POSTPONED 
• 24 January 2022, 1000-1130 UK time on Zoom NEW DATE
• 1 March 2022, 1000-1130 UK time on Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

Introduction to R

R is a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics, which can be easily downloaded from the web. It is now widely used for all types of statistical applications, from official and social statistics to modern methods for computationally based inference.

Intended learning outcomes:
After this short course the participant will have a basic knowledge of R. In particular, the following topics will be covered (some in limited detail):

• ·        using an editor
• ·        arithmetic
• ·        data in R
• ·        R Objects
• ·        summary statistics
• ·        graphics including gplot2
• ·        linear models and correlation
• ·        treading in data from files
• ·        data manipulation using dplyr.

Facilitator: Matthew Craven

Applicability: Suitable for most research students and research staff.

Course dates and times:

• 10 January 2022, 1000-1200 UK time on Zoom
• 2 March 2022, 1000-1200 UK time on Zoom
• 6 June 2022, 1000-1200 UK time on Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

Introduction to Matlab environment and scripts

Matlab is a powerful piece of software that is a programming language, but which also has some features in common with statistical packages like SPSS, and other features that make it more like a spreadsheet or database. As a result it can seem bewildering and complex. However, at its simplest it is just a very sophisticated calculator with great graph drawing facilities which make many routine data analysis and presentation tasks a breeze. Give it a try before you decide.

Intended learning outcomes:

• To introduce new and inexperienced users to the Matlab programming environment, basic mathematical and statistical operations on small data sets, using the GUI to draw simple graphs, exporting results to document preparation software, and an introduction to scripting.

Facilitator: Martin Coath
Applicability: Suitable for most research students and research staff.

Course dates and times:

• 9 November 2021, 1000-1130 UK time on Zoom
• 12 April 2022, 1000-1130 UK time on Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

Matlab environment and scripts - intermediate

Suitable for those that have attended the introductory session or have a little experience with other programming IDE’s.

If you have grasped the basics of Matlab or if you are happy with the idea of programming languages this session will let you explore how to get exactly what you want, in ways that should save you time and effort. We will be exploring how Matlab goes way beyond a simple calculator or spreadsheet and find how new facilities can be added by programming, and how data is stored, retrieved, and presented in a multitude of ways decided by the user.

Intended learning outcomes:

• To explore all aspects of the Matlab programming environment, mathematical and statistical operations using matrices, creating and editing graphs, use of scripts and functions, introduction data structures, introductory program debugging.

Facilitator: Martin Coath
Applicability: Suitable for most research students and research staff.

Course dates and times:

• 9 December 2021, 1000-1130 UK time on Zoom
• 10 May 2022, 1000-1130 UK time on Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

What is LaTeX – An introduction 

This first session on the LaTeX typesetting software is for everyone, particularly if you have never heard of LaTeX. Even if you are already a LaTeX user come along and join the debate. The time will be split between demonstrations and detailed answers to students questions.

All academics have to write reports and papers of one sort or another. Of most immediate concern to most graduate students is the thesis or dissertation which represents the culmination of an intense and demanding period of study and research.

For almost 30 years there has been debate between those who support general purpose word-processors (such as Microsoft Word) and those who argue that academic writing requires a specialist tool. LaTeX is such a tool and represents the alternative to word-processing. LaTeX is free, designed specifically to handle large complicated cross-referenced academic documents, and has been used successfully for nearly 30 years in all academic fields.

Intended learning outcomes:

• The aim of this introductory session is to allow graduates to discover what it is and to make an informed choice about whether or not to consider using it.
  

Facilitator: Martin Coath
Applicability: Everyone. If you have heard of LaTeX and are not sure what it is then this is your chance to find out. If you have never heard of LaTeX then it could be what you are looking for. Please come along even if you are a LaTeX user and join in the discussion.

Course dates and times: 

• 7 December 2021, 1000-1100 UK time on Zoom
• 13 April 2022, 1000-1100 UK time on Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

LaTeX – Getting started

The second session is aimed at those who are curious to find out more about LaTeX and those who are seriously considering using it. The previous LaTeX session is not a prerequisite but there will only be very limited time for debate and explanation so please do come to ‘What is LaTeX’ so you know what you are getting yourself in to! We aim to achieve three things in this session.

Intended learning outcomes:

• to get LaTeX installed and running on every computer. You will need to bring a laptop running Windows 7 and on which you have full administrative rights. If you have a University issue laptop you will have to contact IT support to be sure you have been made an administrator (there will not be time in this session to cover installation for Mac and Linux users - if you want to take part install Windows in a virtual machine).
• to create and edit some simple documents to illustrate as many of the general principles as possible in the time available. This should be enough for you to go away and start experimenting with your newly installed software.
• to make everyone aware of the vast array of free LaTeX support material on the internet. After you have mastered the basics you will be able to find books and tutorials that are available to anyone who wants to go further.

Facilitator: Martin Coath
Applicability: Everyone. If you have heard of LaTeX and are not sure what it is then this is your chance to find out. If you have never heard of LaTeX then it could be what you are looking for. Please come along even if you are a LaTeX user and join in the discussion.

Course dates and times: 

• 11 January 2022, 1000-1130 UK time on Zoom
• 3 May 2022, 1000-1130 UK time on Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

LaTeX - Pictures, bibliographies, tables and other assorted problems

You will need to be familiar with the basics of LaTeX to get the most out of this session. For absolute beginners this means a) coming to both previous sessions and b) having done some practice and research in the time since session 2. Experienced users are very welcome to come along – there are always tips and tricks to be shared.

Intended learning outcomes:
If you have made it this far you will be starting to appreciate that despite the fact that LaTeX offers huge advantages it also has its share of frustrations. Many of these can be dealt easily with help from experienced users. We will deal with the most common problems first, but this session also has time to address any particular issue that you want to bring along.

In particular: the placement of figures, the handling of bibliographies, and the design of tables in LaTeX are frequently raised as ‘problems’, although in fact in most cases the ‘solutions’ are trivial but merely difficult to find. If you are convinced that LaTeX is for you then you should find this session very helpful. If you are still not sure then seeing some of the potential problem dealt with might help you to make up your mind.

Facilitator: Martin Coath
Applicability: Everyone. Please come along even if you are a LaTeX user and join in the discussion.
Prerequisites: You must have attended both previous sessions and have done some practice and research.

Course dates and times:

• 22 March 2022, 1000-1200 UK time on Zoom 
• 7 June 2022, 1000-1200 UK time on Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

Confirmation of Route Process (RDC.2/2A)

The aim of the workshop is to prepare students for the process of the transfer (RDC.2/2A). If you are registered as an MPhil/PhD student, the Confirmation of Route process is compulsory. Transfer to PhD status is also possible from ResM, MD and MPhil research degree registrations. The process of transfer requires the production of written reports and any other materials and processes specified by local Research Degree Management Units and, their assessment by experts in the field who are independent of the supervisory team.

Intended learning outcome:
The workshop is designed to explain the process and to assist students in the preparation of the reports.

Facilitator: Stephen Essex and Sarah Kearns
Applicability: Full-time research students who are 9 to 12 months (part-time students: 15 to 21 months) into their programme.

Course dates and times: 

• 29 October 2021, 1000-1200 UK time on Zoom*
• 23 March 2022, 1000-1200 UK time on Zoom
• 29 June 2022, 1000-1200 UK time on Zoom

*Please note the session on 29 October is applicable only to PGRs who commenced their studies prior to 1 September 2021.

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

Preparing for the viva

The aim of this workshop is to help postgraduate research students with the purpose and the format of the oral examination of their thesis. This workshop will familiarise participants with the format of the viva including in-person, remote (online) or hybrid models and, the role of the internal and external examiners and the judgements they will be making in the course of the viva. There will be an opportunity to consider the types of questions that candidates may be asked in the course of the oral examination.

Facilitator: Professor Richard Yarwood, Director of Doctoral College

Applicability: All postgraduate research students

Date and time: 27 June 2022, 10:30 – 12:00 (oncampus)*

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk  

 

*Please note: this session will be held in-class on the main campus, University of Plymouth. A recording will be available following this session at the Researcher Development Programme DLE/Moodle page: https://dle.plymouth.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=25918