Key factors in postgraduate research : a guide for students

The primary objective of this book is to assist students, who are
undertaking postgraduate research programs, at Master's or Doctoral
level, to clearly understand the role of such programs, and the
processes and parameters by which they are examined. The
secondary objective is to examine a range of key factors that contribute
towards successful outcomes in postgraduate research programs and
to demonstrate how such factors can be addressed during the course
of a research program. This should enable research students to:
• Increase the likelihood of succeeding in their research, in
terms of examination and peer review
• Focus on the key elements of the central research theme
and reduce unnecessary diversions
• Reduce the amount of time that is expended during the
course of the postgraduate research program
• Improve the quality of their research techniques and
writing skills.

The methods, rules and observations, documented in this text,
are derived from the author's personal experience as a research
student, research supervisor and research examiner. In effect, they
represent knowledge derived from numerous research case studies
undertaken over a period of more than a decade. Within this text,
research students will therefore find examples that emphasise
particular attributes of research and thesis preparation, which have
been derived from experience in research conduct, supervision, thesis
preparation and examination.