Introductory Data Analysis Workshop
The two-day Introductory Data Analysis Workshop, organised by the Statistical Consulting Unit, is directed at those who know some basic statistics, but would like to better understand the tests and the modelling as well as to learn R. The Introductory workshop covers some basics such as exploratory data analysis, statistical testing, sampling distributions, non-parametric tests, and regression models and analysis of variance (ANOVA).
- Next date to be confirmed
Advanced Data Analysis Workshop
- In this advanced data analysis workshop organised by the Statistical Consulting Unit, you will learn when to apply GLMs and mixed-effects models. And you will learn how to apply them to various situations using R.
- Participants are expected to be familiar with the basics of classical statistical inference, linear regression and ANOVA, as well as have a basic working knowledge of R to the extent covered in the introductory Data Analysis Workshop.
- Next date to be confirmed
Planning Statistics in Your Thesis
- If you have a data analysis component in your thesis, it is important to think about it as early as possible. In this session, we’ll go through some basic principles of experimental design and talk about common pitfalls when correcting and recording your data. We will also talk about making sure you are ready to perform statistical analysis when the data are ready, and take a look at how to get started with it.
- Next date to be confirmed
Statistics Consultations
The Statistics Consulting Unit offer consultations to students who would like assistance with:
- how to set up your experiment
- how to analyse your data
- which graphics to employ to study your data or to illustrate the point
- which software to use and how
- how to interpret and present your results
- how to revise your manuscript in accordance with reviewers' advice or explain why you will not revise it
- how to perform statistical power/sample size calculations for your grant application
You are strongly encouraged to seek advice early before any data is collected. You can find out more about this service here.
edX Course: Basics of Statistical Inference and Modelling Using R (online)
Need to brush up on your statistics skills? Learn why a statistical method works, how to implement it using R and when to apply it and where to look if the particular statistical method is not applicable in the specific situation through this online course.
UCx: Basics of Statistical Inference and Modelling Using R
As this course requires a certain time commitment, please discuss this with your supervisory team prior to enrolling.
Digital research tools
NVivo Workshops
An introduction to NVivo by library staff. NVivo is software that supports qualitative and mixed methods research. It helps you to organise and analyse qualitative data such as interviews, open-ended survey responses and focus groups. It can also be used for other text analysis such as literature reviews or policy/media analysis.
Zotero
Thinking about which reference management tool to use? Library staff will introduce you to Zotero, a free, easy-to-use tool to help you collect, organize, cite, and share your research sources. This face-to-face course introduces Zotero as a research management tool and will demonstrate quick and easy ways of working with reference information. If you’re currently using an alternative reference management application, we’ll also show you how to migrate your information across to Zotero.
Endnote
This session run by library staff covers the basics of EndNote - how to create an EndNote Library of your literature and use it to create in-text citations and bibliographies in the citation style of your choice.
Software Carpentry (Library)
Software Carpentry is a programme of courses for the absolute novice to get acquainted with computational topics in academic research. We offer a range of sessions in:
Programming (using R or Python)
Version Control (using git)
Data Handling and Cleaning
Relational Data (using SQL)
You may want to book for a series of courses to get an idea of what tools are available. All the courses will include help with local UC computing resources and support.
E-Research Clinic (weekly)
All researchers are welcome at the e-research clinic! If you have an issue with programming, storing or gathering data, or want to chat about the ethics behind your research, there are experienced professionals present to help. If we can't help you, we know people who can! This is a regular drop in session.
You can get self-help information as well.
Refine your Research with Keenious (Library)
Keenious is a search tool that uses natural language processing "AI" to search for literature by analysing your writing. It can analyse a whole document or a selected part of the document to search.
Keenious should be used as an additional tool to search for literature along with traditional databases. It works best when you have already found some sources, done some reading and written some of your assignment. It can then be used to find additional sources to strengthen your writing.
Academic writing and publishing
Creating a Structured Thesis in Word
This class put on by the Library helps students to set up a thesis document in Microsoft Word using some of the useful formatting options available. These include: using the headings styles to easily create a table of contents, using captions for figures, tables and equations, and using section breaks to set up page numbering or landscape pages.
Writing a Literature Review
This session is run by the Academic Skills Centre as part of the Postgraduate Academic Skills Programme. It covers stand-alone literature reviews and literature reviews as part of a research project. It includes Library resources for literature searching and strategies for writing a literature review.
Introduction to Academic Publishing
This workshop run by library staff will provide an overview of the scholarly publishing process from choosing a journal to publish in, Open Access considerations, funding and what support is available from UC.
Diagnostic Writing Assessment
The Diagnostic Writing Assessment (DWA) for Thesis Students is an Academic Skills Centre programme for Master’s and PhD students for whom English is a second or other language (ESOL) and who may require help with academic writing. It aims to identify students’ specific writing needs early in the thesis writing process and provides customised support to address any issues that emerge.
- Next date to be confirmed
English Language Support Programme
This Academic Skills Centre course is designed to help students with English as an additional language to improve their academic English. Classes are 50 minutes long and take place during term time, with different topics offered each term. Students will develop their skills through practical in-class exercises and additional resources will help students to build their independent language learning abilities outside the classroom.
- Further information and 2024 workshops can be found on AKO | LEARN
Postgraduate Academic Skills Programme
This programme is offered by the Academic Skills Centre once per semester. It covers Critical Reading, Effective Note-Taking, Thesis Structure and Planning, Writing Proposals, Writing a Literature Review, Writing a Coherent Thesis, Time Management, The Publication Process.
Academic Skills Centre Consultations
Te Pokapū Pūkenga Ako | Academic Skills Centre is a free advisory service and resource hub that focuses on writing and study strategies to maximise student achievement at all levels from first year through to PhD.
They offer consultations to all students, from first year to doctoral study. Consultations with a learning advisor are up to 40 minutes long and can cover any questions related to writing, study, time management or oral presentations. You can bring us your draft essay, report, oral presentation, thesis proposal or thesis chapter for a general review of your writing or presentation and can offer suggestions for improvement.
Consultations with Subject Librarian
From Aotearoa and the Pacific to Law and Engineering, UC's specialist librarians can help you access online and print resources for your subjects. Meet UC's subject and specialist librarians and make an appointment if you need specialist help.
Shut Up and Write (UCSA)
Give your writing space a shake up with Shut Up & Write!
Over three days, UCSA’s transforming Bentley’s, Haere-roa into a quiet, productive space for you to sit and write. Snacks and drinks will be provided (with dietary options included)*. And the Academic Skills Centre will be on hand from 1–3pm each day to help with your writing if you need it.
Next date to be confirmed
Proofreading Your Final Draft
Proofreading is the final stage of the writing process. It involves locating errors and inconsistencies of spelling, grammar, formatting and referencing in your final draft. This workshop by the Academic Skills Centre teaches strategies for proofreading your own work using a simple and effective four-step process. This workshop is suitable for students at all levels and in all disciplines.
Next date to be confirmed
Communicating your research
Giving an Oral Presentation (ASC)
This interactive workshop is designed to help you to be an excellent presenter. The session provides practical advice on structuring a talk, delivering it effectively, and using PowerPoint well. It also includes tips for overcoming nerves and for delivering presentations online.
Media Training for Researchers
A practical, small group session specially designed for academic researchers with a former journalist, editor, and experienced media trainer from UC’s communications team.
Understand your role in a news story
Know what a news interview is (and isn’t)
Understand different media & audiences
Know what to do when a journalist calls
Translate your expertise and research into plain language
Promote your research &/or expertise to the public
- Next date to be confirmed
Social Media Training for Researchers
LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) can provide a powerful tool for expanding networks and sharing research. Our beginner workshop, run by experts from the University’s communication team, aims to provide the skills and confidence to engage and build a professional profile for UC academics new to these channels. This is an interactive, guided workshop designed to provide practical techniques and skills for absolute beginners.
- Next date to be confirmed
Three Minute Thesis
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an academic research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. It is an exciting, fast-paced event that is held annually in more than 900 universities in 85 countries.
This entertaining event gives thesis students the chance to present their research to a large audience while competing for a number of generous prizes. The presentation must be no more than three minutes, incorporating only one static PowerPoint slide. The overall University of Canterbury Doctoral winner will then go on to participate in the online Asia-Pacific 3MT® final.
Visualise Your Thesis
The "Visualise Your Thesis" competition challenges PhD students to convey their research in a visually compelling way. Participants create a poster or visual representation that distils their thesis into a clear, engaging format. The goal is to make complex research accessible and interesting to a broader audience, often including non-specialists.
