Postgraduate student resources
The following resources cover study, writing, applications, presentation and ethical issues. They are either papers available as PDF files to download, PowerPoint presentations or links to external websites where you will find the paper online. Both the downloads and the links to websites open in a new window on your computer.
General advice to postgraduates and supervisors
| How to succeed in postgraduate study A comprehensive guide written by Marie desJardins which makes good reading for anyone contemplating postgraduate study or postgraduate supervision. Adapted to an Australian context. | Download document |
Effective writing
| Elements of style by William Strunk An excellent and well established guide to writing style, including grammar and punctuation. Immensely useful for those whose writing style has deteriorated through years of reading the scientific literature. | Go to the website |
| Preparing that final year project report Mike Hart's site will help you with practical sources of advice for successfully writing your final year project, dissertation or thesis. This page is for third year students and postgraduate students who are writing a thesis or dissertation. | Go to the website |
| Notes on writing papers and theses A guide to writing scientific papers and theses by Ken Lertzman. It is very comprehensive and includes both elements of good writing style and structure of scientific reports. | Download document |
| Notes on the structure of a scientific paper A more detailed text on writing a scientific paper, with a strong emphasis on structure - what does and does not go into introductions, discussions etc. | Download document |
| The Literature Review: A few tips on conducting it Tips on preparing a literature review by Dena Taylor, Director, Health Sciences Writing Centre, and Margaret Procter, Coordinator, Writing Support, University of Toronto. | Go to the website |
| Formatting the thesis A detailed guide to formatting a thesis, specifically for students in Applied Ecology at the University of Canberra. It is designed, among other things, to constrain students in honours, masters and PhD from competing on matters of appearance rather than substance. | Download document |
| The research thesis: What examiners look for Text of a talk given to the University of Canberra Postgraduate on what examiners look for when marking a thesis. | Download document |
Analysis
| EnviroStats: Statistics for Ecology and Natural Resource Management An introduction to descriptive statistics, two-sample comparisons, analysis of variance and regression using SAS for Windows. Self-evaluation is web-based. | Go to the website |
Grantsmanship
| Preparing a grant application A blow by blow description on how to maximize the probability of success in applying for grants. | Download document |
| The art of writing proposals Advice prepared by Adam Przeworski of New York University and Frank Salomon of the University of Wisconsin. | Go to the website |
Seminars and conference presentations
| The 12 minute talk Advice for preparing a short talk at a professional conference, where time is strictly limited. | Download document |
| Using PowerPoint effectively for ecological talks Advice prepared by Professor Charles Krebs for creating a PowerPoint presentation. | View presentation |
Ethical issues
| UC Guidelines for responsible practice in research The University of Canberra's Policies on Scientific Ethics, modified from those provided by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee. | Go to the website |
| Guidelines for use of live amphibians and reptiles in field research An ethical guide produced jointly by ASIH, the Herpetologists League and SSAR. | Download document |
