Thinking about postgraduate research

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s premier research-led university*, giving you the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with world-class academic staff who are outstanding in their field.

Within the Faculty of Education we offer postgraduate research supervision in a wide variety of areas in education. These include topics of significance to early childhood, primary, secondary, adult and tertiary education, counselling and social services.

The analysis of policy, the relationship between policy and practice and issues relating to the broader socio-cultural context are all research areas associated with both education and the social services. In education, research areas include interventions to raise student achievement, educational leadership, assessment, professional learning, teacher practice, curriculum areas and aspects of student learning. In counselling, human services and social work, key areas of focus include practitioner research and utilisation of research in practice. Examples of specific research areas include counselling children; loss and grief; person centred planning; service leadership; and the needs of those with chronic illness.

Why consider research?

Postgraduate research is an ideal way to explore an area of interest, gain a deeper understanding of your discipline area, improve your own practice or the practice where you work.

Research is relevant to all areas of education and social services and is an opportunity to develop your thinking and analytical abilities, written communication and organisational skills.

Research allows you to make your own contribution to learning and offer a critical perspective on existing scholarship or methodology. It can provide a deep sense of satisfaction to know that you are contributing valuable new knowledge and understanding to your field.

Who can do research?

Research is not just for people doing doctorates. You can also undertake research as part of other postgraduate qualifications such as the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) (Honours) or Masters programmes.

A thesis or dissertation within an honours, masters or doctoral degree provides the opportunity to develop advanced research skills and to present findings in a documented scholarly form.

It’s never too soon after graduation to think about further study, and once you get started you’ll discover how satisfying postgraduate research really is. Others undertake research after a number of years working in their profession.

Completing a thesis

A thesis is a written report of a research study and is usually undertaken at masters and doctoral level. It’s an opportunity for sustained focus on an issue of theory or practice and a way to have greater control over the content of your studies.

A 120 point masters thesis is usually around 35,000 to 40,000 words in length. A doctoral thesis will be at an advanced level and requires an original contribution to the field. As it is the culmination of three to four years research, a doctoral thesis is significantly longer.

Completing a dissertation

A dissertation is a shorter study than a thesis and may involve fewer questions or less scope, or perhaps a simpler research design. It can form part of the assessments for the Bachelor of Education (Teaching) (Honours) or Masters qualifications.

The number of points the course is worth will give you an idea of the length and scope of the research required.

• 30 point dissertation
  10,000 - 12,000 words
• 60 point dissertation
  15,000 – 20,000 words

Your supervisor will advise on your written work. Examples of dissertations can be viewed at Postgraduate Studies (U Block) and theses are available at the Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library on Epsom Campus.

Completing a research portfolio

A research portfolio is a coherent, integrated programme of research-based work. For example, a 120 point research portfolio for a Masters degree should be a similar length to a thesis. It consists of a coherent collection of pieces of work around a particular theme or topic as opposed to being one piece of work.

Preparing for research

To undertake a thesis or dissertation you need to have first completed an approved 30 point research methods course offered at postgraduate diploma or masters level. Please discuss with the Programme Leader about where in your studies you would include the research methods course. The approved courses are highlighted in blue in the Summary of courses offered in 2010 section (pp30-31) of this prospectus.

Finding a supervisor

Unless you are part of a cohort group you will need to make your own supervisor arrangements. The faculty has over 90 supervisors. You can find a list of supervisors on the Faculty of Education’s Supervision Register at www.education.auckland.ac.nz/supervision-register

The relevant Programme Leader/Adviser will also be able to assist you with the process of finding a supervisor.

Other support available

Your supervisors are key people who will guide your research journey. If you are enrolled in the Doctor of Education (EdD) you will be part of a cohort group for the first two years, and then supported by your supervisors as you complete your thesis. Cohort-based support is also available at masters research level. In addition there are other people who can provide support including the Programme Leader/Adviser for your postgraduate qualification, subject librarians, and staff in the Student Learning Centre. Support is available both on campus and through The University of Auckland’s website.

The Postgraduate Students’ Association (PGSA) runs a networking group that enables you to meet with other students who are also conducting research. Office space is available to doctoral candidates; students undertaking research at masters level can apply for access to study space at Epsom House on Epsom Campus.

Further information can be found in the publications:

• Guide to Theses and Dissertations
• Masters Handbook
• Doctoral Handbook

These publications are distributed by the School of Graduate Studies and PDFs can be viewed online at www.postgrad.auckland.ac.nz. Use the search function to find each publication by name.

Who do I talk to next?

If you are interested in doing postgraduate research it is important to plan ahead. We recommend you speak with the Programme Leader/Adviser of your preferred programme and the relevant Programme Consultant at the Education Student Centre. This should be done in the semester before undertaking your study. The Programme Leader/Adviser and Consultant will be able to give you academic and enrolment advice and help you to plan a programme that can lead to successful completion of your study. This will also allow you plenty of time to identify a supervisor and start thinking about the question/s you want to examine. Many students who do research need to apply for ethics approval, so finding a supervisor before you enrol also enables you to start on your ethics proposal.

For a list of Programme Leaders/Advisers and Consultants, visit www.education.auckland.ac.nz/postgraduate-contacts

*Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2008