FA C U LT Y O F S O C I A L S C I E N C E S

ONLINE TRAINING SERIES

SPRING TERM 2016

STUDENT NAME
ROOM NUMBER

UEA Social Sciences Online Training Series 2016

The UEA Social Sciences Online Training Series features seven livetaught online training sessions (of two hours duration), delivered via a
virtual classroom, on Wednesday evenings throughout January, February,
and March of 2016. All the sessions are led by Dr Simon Watts, PGR
Training Coordinator for UEAs Faculty of Social Sciences. Focused
primarily on research and writing skills, these sessions are open to all PGR
students at UEA and across our proposed DTP partnership (which includes
the Universities of Essex, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Reading, Royal Holloway,
Goldsmiths, Roehampton, & City University). They are free to all
attendees. A full list of sessions is provided below and bookings can be
made by following the instructions on the relevant page of this brochure.

Time

Name

Leader

Weds 20th Jan

Weds 27th Jan
Weds 10th Feb
Weds 17th Feb
Weds 2nd Mar
Weds 9th Mar

Date

7.00-9.00pm
7.00-9.00pm
7.00-9.00pm
7.00-9.00pm
7.00-9.00pm
7.00-9.00pm

S. Watts
S. Watts
S. Watts
S. Watts
S. Watts
S. Watts

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3
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5
6
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Weds 16th Mar

7.00-9.00pm

What Should a Literature Review Do?

A Comparison of Qualitative Methods
Analysing Qualitative Data
Effective Academic Writing
Academic Publishing
Interviewing:
Planning, Organisation & Delivery
Preparing for your Viva

Page Number

S. Watts

Student Feedback for the 2015 Online Training Series:

Many, many thanks for the great online series you have presented this
semester. I found it very useful (Student of Computer Science)
UEA gives us the chance to learn and interact online in a systematic way
an absolutely brilliant initiative (International Development)
Please keep these sessions going they are handy, bite-sized and very
helpful to distance learning students such as myself! (Film Studies)
I am glad the faculty [of social sciences] is offering us this great
opportunity to improve our research skills as a whole (International
Development)
Just to say how helpful it is not to have to come to UEA. Being a PT
student and a teacher, this is a really valuable way of attending training
it was very much appreciated (Education)

What Should a Literature Review Do?

Weds 20th January 2016, 7.00-9.00pm

Session Summary:
Every thesis must include a review of relevant literature. Indeed,
conducting a literature review is often the first thing a PGR student
is asked to do. This session discusses the purpose of this literature
review and the importance of summarising, analysing and
synthesising the arguments of others as a means of providing a
context for your own research. It also considers some alternative
models for writing and structuring a literature review chapter.
Understanding your research field, and being able to guide your
reader around it, are very important first steps on the road to
doctoral success. This session is designed to facilitate that process.

Student Feedback for this Session:

This session is a very good initiative, helpful and practical (International
Development)
Thanks you very much brilliant session! (Education)
Great session! I recommend all PhD students attend (Computer Science)

UEA STUDENTS can book this session via the e-vision

system or by e-mailing n.howlett@uea.ac.uk. PGR
STUDENTS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES should e-mail
simon.d.watts@uea.ac.uk to reserve a place. 24 places
are available for each session on a first come, first
served basis, so please book early. Thanks!

A Comparison of Qualitative Methods

Weds 27th January 2016, 7.00-9.00pm

Session Summary:
This session will compare and contrast the aims, data collection
preferences, analytic style, limitations and appropriate usage of
four different qualitative methods - grounded theory, thematic
analysis,
interpretative
phenomenological
analysis
and
narrative analysis in order to identify the types of research
questions to which each method is best suited. The possibility
of conducting by-person or case analyses using qualitative data
will also be considered.

Student Feedback for this Session:

[The session] was really helpful on framework and thematic analysis
going straight in my methods section tomorrow (Medicine)
This was the best intro and explanation of IPA Ive ever had. [It was] my
first experience with an online course and I found it excellent (American
Studies)
I have started writing up and this session has really helped reinforce my
confidence. Thanks so much (Education)
Hugely helpful this session has given me a better context to think about
my research questions (Education)

UEA STUDENTS can book this session via the e-vision

system or by e-mailing n.howlett@uea.ac.uk. PGR
STUDENTS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES should e-mail
simon.d.watts@uea.ac.uk to reserve a place. 24 places
are available for each session on a first come, first
served basis, so please book early. Thanks!
3

Analyzing Qualitative Data

Weds 10th February 2016, 7.00-9.00pm

Session Summary:
This session will consider and discuss a range of issues relative
to the micro-analysis of qualitative data. Using example data
throughout, issues covered will include the analyst's
perspective (the aims and nature of their engagement with the
data), coding systems, how to choose extracts for analysis in a
systematic fashion, the meaning and importance of
interpretation, generalizing from qualitative findings and
various write-up issues, including the relationship between the
analysis and discussion sections of a qualitative report and the
creation of impact.

Student Feedback for this Session:

This was a very useful class. I am actually excited about analysing my
data! (International Development)
What youve done is unpack the skills required to get the most from your
data in an academically valid way (International Development)
[This was] a very illuminating session. Thanks so much (Education)

UEA STUDENTS can book this session via the e-vision

system or by e-mailing n.howlett@uea.ac.uk. PGR
STUDENTS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES should e-mail
simon.d.watts@uea.ac.uk to reserve a place. 24 places
are available for each session on a first come, first
served basis, so please book early. Thanks!
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Effective Academic Writing

Weds 17th February 2016, 7.00-9.00pm

Session Summary:
This session will consider the basic elements of effective academic
writing and how they can be combined to ensure the best chance of
success. Issues covered will include preparation (targeted literature
reviewing, taking a stance as an author, the creation of a writing
plan or preliminary draft), the task of writing (having clear aims,
order and structure, signposting, guiding the reader, drafting),
writing style (the achievement of clarity and simplicity) and the
need for a clear, logical and straightforward conclusion or takehome message. The session will also provide an opportunity to
discuss writing issues specific to particular disciplines or students.
This session represents over a decade of academic writing
experience packed into two hours, so please come along and take
advantage!

Student Feedback for this Session:

This session was more than great! (Computer Science)
Very useful nice to know that writing is a shared grief! (Education)
Thank you, very useful and a great delivery system (Politics)
Its nice to just speak frankly about what good writing actually is
(Education)

UEA STUDENTS can book this session via the e-vision

system or by e-mailing n.howlett@uea.ac.uk. PGR
STUDENTS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES should e-mail
simon.d.watts@uea.ac.uk to reserve a place. 24 places
are available for each session on a first come, first
served basis, so please book early. Thanks!
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Academic Publishing
Weds 2nd March 2016, 7.00-9.00pm

Session Summary:
This session will introduce and discuss the practicalities of academic
journal publishing in the social sciences. Various means for choosing a
target journal will be considered, as will the mechanics of writing an
effective paper (including a summary of the aims of each section of an
academic report). Strategies for dealing with reviewer comments will also
be considered at some length and opportunity will be provided to look at
the response-to-reviewer letters of experienced academics. Time will also
be made available for questions.

Student Feedback for this Session:

Very useful to me just got rejected and now feel like going back to
revise and resubmit! (International Development)
I found the presenters suggestions on article layout (starting with the
end in mind) and targeting journals especially useful (Politics)
Thank you for a very informative session. I found the discussion of how to
deal with reviewer
feedback
particularly
useful
(International
Development).
Its been really useful!! I have not been thinking about many of the things
you shared with us heretips on the typical writing order [of a paper] and
what the different sections cover were really helpful. Great stuffthank
you (Law)

UEA STUDENTS can book this session via the e-vision

system or by e-mailing n.howlett@uea.ac.uk. PGR
STUDENTS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES should e-mail
simon.d.watts@uea.ac.uk to reserve a place. 24 places
are available for each session on a first come, first
served basis, so please book early. Thanks!

Interviewing:
Planning, Organization, & Delivery
Weds 9th March 2016, 7.00-9.00pm

Session Summary:
This session will consider three different types of interviewing
(structured, semi-structured and unstructured), but with a particular
focus on semi-structured or 'qualitative' interviewing. Other issues
covered will include the nature of interview questions, the design
and structure of an effective interview schedule and the mechanics
of conducting a successful interview (with different people and to
deliver on our research aims). The idea is to share experiences,
knowledge and potential 'tricks-of-the-trade'. Time will be allowed
for raising questions and/or issues pertinent to your own PhD
studies.

Student Feedback for this Session:

This session helped me to understand the relevant skills, issues, [the]
process of conducting an interview, [and the] ethical issues which need
attention (Anonymous)
Thank you very
(Anonymous)

much,

most

interesting

and

helpful

session

I am new to interviewing, have little prior knowledge, and this session has
been very useful in helping me to understand (Anonymous)

UEA STUDENTS can book this session via the e-vision

system or by e-mailing n.howlett@uea.ac.uk. PGR
STUDENTS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES should e-mail
simon.d.watts@uea.ac.uk to reserve a place. 24 places
are available for each session on a first come, first
served basis, so please book early. Thanks!
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Preparing for your Viva

Weds 16th March 2016, 7.00-9.00pm

Session Summary:
The session aims to increase PGR students understanding of the
oral examination process, to understand how an examiner will
assess their thesis, to provide practical advice on how to prepare
effectively and to build confidence in the student's ability to perform
well at the viva. The session may be of most benefit to students
who are within a few months of being examined, but it can also help
to increase the knowledge and confidence of students at earlier
stages of their PhD journey.

Student Feedback for this Session:

Brilliant session! Very good and interactive and everything was explained
in a simple and transparent manner (Anonymous)
I gained confidence via a very skilled presenter (Anonymous)
A very helpful session thank you. It helped me in terms of questions to
expect in the viva, how to approach answering questions, what to expect
generally, [and] how not to undermine yourself (Anonymous)
The tips suggested were very useful, as well as the guidelines of
questions we should think about. This [session] has also helped with
improving my discussion chapter (Anonymous).

UEA STUDENTS can book this session via the e-vision

system or by e-mailing n.howlett@uea.ac.uk. PGR
STUDENTS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES should e-mail
simon.d.watts@uea.ac.uk to reserve a place. 24 places
are available for each session on a first come, first
served basis, so please book early. Thanks!
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