Modules

Prerequisites

Contents

Part 1 – Writing a Dissertation: Common Concerns • Kick-Off Workshop with Professor Raab, Dr. Bonhage and R. Rode (1h 30m) In the kick-off workshop, the instructors introduce the participants to the module. The workshop discusses the content and requirements of the module, including those for monographs and article-based PhD theses. • Online Workshop “Introduction to the TwentyOne Skills Learning Hub” (1h) This online workshop introduces the participants to using the online learning platform in part 2. The platform contains mandatory self-study courses. Part 2 – Clarity and Effectiveness Self-study Units (TwentyOne Skills Learning Hub*): • Time-Management: Seven Techniques for More Efficiency (2h 10m) • Scientific Writing (1h 15m) • Forms of Plagiarism and How to Avoid Them (1h 20m) • Good Scientific Practice: Introduction and General Principles (1h 30m) * The TwentyOne Skills Learning Hub is an online platform that offers on-demand self-study courses. The GRS has obtained licenses for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers at BTU. We will provide each participant with access to the learning hub. Moreover, we will ask the provider, TwentyOne Skills, to offer an introductory online workshop to explain how the platform works. Upon completing each self-study course, the participants will obtain a certificate proving they finished the course. Self-study Units (University Library**): • Zotero Referencing Software (20m) • How to Publish Your Thesis (1h) ** The University Library offers these self-study courses through Moodle. Although participants will not receive a certificate upon completion, the module's assessment covers these topics (consistent citation, working plan for completing and publishing the thesis). Part 3 – Strategies for a Logical Structure • Final Q&A Workshop with Professor Raab, Dr. Bonhage, and R. Rode (1h 30m) The final workshop serves to answer the participants’ questions concerning the structure of the dissertation and the submission of the final assignments (i.e., working plan, long outline and draft text)

Learning outcomes

The module helps PhD students to develop their writing skills as young researchers. Unlike a master's thesis, writing a doctoral dissertation is a substantial project and a new experience for most PhD candidates. In addition to developing their writing skills, PhD students must develop other skills, such as time management and planning the writing process. They also need to learn how to integrate their sources. The module combines lectures, group work, student presentations and exercises. It is divided into three consecutive parts. By the end of the module, the PhD candidates should be able to overcome the challenges of writing a coherent and clear dissertation.

Assessment

• Active participation in the workshops and completion of all self-study units (certificates provided by TwentyOne Skills and the University Library) (20 %) • Working plan for completing and publishing the PhD thesis (Gantt Chart) (20 %) • Long outline PhD thesis (i.e., table of contents with short comments summarising each chapter and section) (30 %) • Draft text 3-5 pp. (e.g., section from literature review) (30 %)