This book has been developed to assist potential and beginning Higher Degree by Research (Masters’ and Doctoral) students.

It is designed to respond to feedback from students who need some initial material to introduce the concepts, practices and terminology of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) studies, and is a self-instructional guide for any HRD student – whether or not they have access to the on-site facilities of a university.

Higher Degree by Research: All the Skills You Will Need in One Place directs the reader through twelve learning modules or chapters. Chapters 1 to 3 describe some of the rules of the HDR process, assist the reader to develop a number of sensible questions to ask potential supervisors, and give the reader an opportunity to develop their understanding of the process and to help clarify ideas for a suitable research topic. Chapters 4 to 9 provide handy hints on how to turn your research process into a written dissertation to submit for doctoral examination. Chapters 10 to 12 then address preparing for conference presentations and for publication, and developing a personal research profile.

LAURENCE DICKIE is a senior International Programs academic and is currently the Academic Director of Teaching, Learning and Research in that department of Curtin Business School. He has extensive teaching experience at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, teaching in business, management, communications, human resource management and training and development.