Course aims

This course aims to provide the PhD candidate with transferable research skills. It is open to candidates from all PhD programs and is best suited to those in their first year of their PhD. The main goal for the course is to equip the candidate with an overview of their research field through the process of reviewing crucial literature and evaluating different information sources. The candidate will learn how to make a literature review for the dissertation, including effective searching in relevant databases and methods for synthesizing and administering the literature. Useful software for the review process will be introduced, including the reference management tool EndNote. The candidates will learn about the publishing process including the evaluation and selection of publishing channels. The course also aims to provide the candidates with knowledge about data management including data storage, archiving, protection, and sharing.  

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the candidate:

• will be able to position their own research in relation to a larger field of study through a thorough literature review
• has an awareness of useful software for organizing and managing literature including the  use of a reference management system
• has an awareness of how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in the research process, and the risks and benefits involved in its use
• has an awareness of the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the research process
• can evaluate the quality of different publications and publishing channels
• has specific knowledge about procedures of peer review, how to get published internationally, and other forms of research evaluation
• has specific knowledge about how to increase the visibility of own research
• has specific knowledge about data storage, personal data, data protection, and data archiving and sharing in regard to national and international regulations and requirements

Skills

After completing this course, the candidate:

• can use a variety of literature search techniques  
• can critically review relevant sources of literature and other information in the field of study
• can make use of  different forms of scientific communication beyond scholarly publication
• can formulate an appropriate publishing strategy
• can make a data management plan for own research
• can manage data according to the FAIR principles

General Competence:

After completing this course, the candidate:

• can contribute to developing new knowledge by identifying gaps in the previous research, positioning own research in the field and engaging in the written dialogue with researchers in the field
• can communicate research and development work through recognized national and international channels, and by online networking
• can consider ethical challenges related to data collection, storage, publishing, and sharing

Examination

Assessment is based on the course essay that should be about 4000 words. The essay will be assessed by an external examiner and two of the course teachers. The essay must be written in English or a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Danish, or Swedish). Details about the essay requirements will be published in the Canvas room for the course and will be discussed during the first and last lecture days. Assessment form: pass/fail.