Interested in events like On Track? Skills at Library put on various workshops and events throughout the year to showcase the range of support and development opportunities available to students across the University. Events take place across all three campuses, in-person as well as online, so there’s something for everyone!
Writing your Master's dissertation? Want to know how to find literature or data, use Google proficiently, manage your references, structure and write your dissertation effectively, and more? Join us for a programme of free workshops that will help boost your research skills!
On Track offers PGT students with support in researching and writing a Master's dissertation. It is offered once a year in June, and sessions cover the dissertation process from starting your research all the way to converting it for publication with the Essex Student Journal! Workshops are delivered by staff from a range of areas, including the Library, Skills for Success, IT Services, and Wellbeing.
Sessions for 2023 will be held online and in-person at Colchester Campus between Monday 12 June and Friday 23 June. You will need access to Zoom to attend online sessions. You can sign up to as many workshops as you like!
Workshops will be delivered by staff from a range of areas, including the Library, Skills for Success, and IT Services.
Visit our Workshops at Library calendar to view the complete 2023 On Track programme or book a session, especially if you don't have access to CareerHub. You can also see a list of upcoming sessions below.
On Track for Your Masters with the Essex Student Journal - 11:00-12:00
This session covers the ins and outs of publishing your masters' dissertations with the Essex Student Journal. You will be able to complete your postgraduate study with a publication in your name!
What is plagiarism and how to avoid it - 12:00-13:00
Are you unsure what plagiarism means in an academic context? Confused about how to identify and avoid plagiarism? Come along to this session to play a game of plagiarism bingo that also teaches you practical tips and strategies for avoiding academic misconduct.
Take a break - leisure reading with Libby - 13:00-14:00
Learn how easy it is to get started with Libby, the one-tap library app loved by millions worldwide, including how to browse and borrow titles, search within a collection and customize your reading and listening experience.
Writing introductions and conclusions for dissertations - 14:00-15:00
In this workshop we will consider how to write effective introductions and conclusions for dissertations, including advice about where they fit in your thesis planning.
Literature review (Humanities) – 10:00-11:00
We will look at the purpose of a Literature Review chapter, what it will typically contain, possible approaches to structure and organisation and how points raised in your Literature Review should link to other sections of your paper. Please have your proposal/title available.
Creating your Data Analysis Plan 11:00-12:00
In this interactive workshop, you will learn tips on what to look for when creating your data analysis plan for your dissertation.
Intro to special collections and archives in research – 11:00-12:00
This session will give you an introduction to using special collections and archive materials in your research. You will also be given an introduction to special collections at Essex and we will show you some of the kinds of materials you can find in our collections.
Structuring your dissertation: Social Sciences –12:00-13:00
What different possibilities are you considering for the structure of your dissertation? Bring your ideas to contribute, and have your work available to refer to. We will examine different potential structures together, and consider the factors which need to be taken into account when planning a dissertation.
Preparing your dataset for analysis – 13:00-14:00
This workshop will help you understand how to prepare your data prior to statistical analysis in SPSS, R or Excel. We will look at how to recode variables in SPSS and how to combine multiple survey questions into individual variables.
Doing a high-quality literature search, part 1: academic sources (social sciences) – 14:00-15:00
We will look at the types of academic books and journal articles available, how they are useful for you, how to search them effectively, and propose a logical research plan to produce a high-quality literature search. Focus will be on the social sciences but all are welcome.
Checking sources for assignments – 15:00-16:00
The quality of your dissertation or assignment is directly related to the quality of the sources you use, so knowing how to fact check and evaluate is important to your success at University, as well as future jobs. This workshop covers how to avoid 'fake' academic journals and investigate academic, news media, and social media sources using the SIFT method.
Literature review: Science and Health - 10:00-11:00
We will look at the purpose of a Literature Review chapter, what it will typically contain, possible approaches to structure and organisation and how points raised in your Literature Review should link to other sections of your paper. Please have your proposal/title available.
Calculating sample size - 11:00-12:00
The sample size is the number of individual members or other experimental units included in a study, and determining the sample size required to answer the research question is one of the first steps in designing a study. In this workshop, we look at the basic principles of sample size calculations.
Intro to Notion - an all-in-one workspace to build your own database - 12:00-13:00
Learn how to combine tasks, pages, and projects into a single Notion database! Say goodbye to information overload and hello to increased productivity and creativity. Join our workshop and discover the benefits of a centralised ‘second brain’, tailored to how you study and do research.
If you have any questions relating to OSCOLA, why not pop-in this drop-in session so that you have less things to worry about when you are writing your law dissertation.
Which Statistical tests should I use? - 13:00-14:00
The correct statistical test to use depends on your study design, the characteristics of your data and the research questions you are trying to answer. This workshop will looks at various statistical tests and help you explore which ones would be most appropriate for your dissertation.
Doing a high-quality literature search, part 2: other sources (social sciences) - 14:00-15:00
There is a lot more to research than books and journals! News & media; magazines; policy documents; data; archives & digitised primary sources; film & documentary - these types of sources can be essential for many dissertation topics. This session will point you to some of the key resources available, show their relevance to your research, and how to search them effectively.
Proofread your own work -14:00-15:00
Proofreading is an essential skill that helps you make create a good impression in assignments, as well as being an important skill for professionals in the workplace. It can sometimes seem tricky to proofread your own work, but doing so well can mean the difference between grades. This workshop will help to clarify what proofreading is, and discuss how you can employ different strategies to enhance the experience of the reader-marker, and improve your confidence, by submitting more polished work.
Descriptive Statistics and Graphs in Excel - 15:00-16:00
Before focusing on inferential statistics, we use statistics to summarise or describe only the data we have (i.e. our sample). Choosing the right descriptive statistics and the most appropriate type of graph depends on the type of data (categorical, discrete, continuous). This workshop will look at different examples of how to best illustrate your data.
Checking assumptions for Parametric Tests using SPSS - 10:00-11:00
In statistics, parametric tests are tests that make assumptions about the underlying distribution of data. In order for the results of parametric tests to be valid, the following four assumptions should be met: 1. Normality, 2. Equal Variance, 3. Randomly and independently sampled data from the population and 4. No extreme Outliers. In this workshop, we look at each assumption and go through how to check if each assumption is met using SPSS.
How to use PressReader - 11:00-12:00
Learn how to use and make the most of PressReader, an online platform containing a selection of newspapers and magazines from over 120 countries in over 60 languages, to find news and media sources for your dissertation.
Running and Interpreting T-tests - 12:00-13:00
In this workshop, we will look at annotated SPSS and Excel output on summary descriptive statistics and output for T-Tests.
Inclusive citation - 13:00-14:00
Have you ever considered whose voices can and cannot be heard in your assignments and research? Or what impact citations have on the people you are citing? This interactive session is aimed to raise awareness of imbalances in whose work gets cited, how that affects the research landscape of a field of study and to provide practical tips on what you can do to address these imbalances.
Running and Interpreting Regression - 14:00-15:00
In this workshop, we will look at annotated output on using regression when we want to explain or predict the effect of one variable in terms of other variables.
Writing concisely - 15:00-16:00
This workshop discusses what it means to write concisely and provides practical advice on sharpening up your own writing. It will help you identify wordiness in your dissertation and offers strategies for using the most effective words to make writing more concise and readable.
Intro to referencing - 11:00-12:00
How to reference properly is something that causes students a lot of stress – but it doesn’t need to be difficult. This session will introduce you to referencing and why it is important when writing your assignments. You will also learn what to reference, how to construct your references, and where to go for help and support.
Literature review (Social Sciences) - 12:00-13:00
This workshop is relevant to all those in the process of planning a dissertation, long essay or research proposal. We will look at the purpose of a Literature Review chapter, what it will typically contain, possible approaches to structure and organisation and how points raised in your Literature Review should link to other sections of your paper. Please have your proposal/title available
Find and use it, or create it - need data for your Master thesis? UK Data Service - 12:00-13:00
It is vital to use research data for your Master thesis to stand out of the crowd! Using an interactive game, we will discuss different types of data, how and where to find them and what you need to know and do in practice when using data. The UK Data Service is a single point of access to more than 8000 datasets, as well as support, guidance and training.
Structuring your dissertation: Humanities - 14:00-15:00
What different possibilities are you considering for the structure of your dissertation? How can you find out or verify what is ‘best’ for subjects within your faculty? Bring your ideas to contribute, and have your work available to refer to. We will examine different potential structures together, and consider the factors which need to be taken into account when planning a dissertation.
Evidencing critical thinking in your dissertation - 10:00-11:00
In this session we will look at how to use your existing skills to make sure you are approaching your dissertation critically.
Doing a high-quality literature search, part 1: academic sources (social sciences) - 12:00-13:00
This session will help you undertake a successful literature search for academic sources. We will look at the types of academic books and journal articles available, how they are useful for you, how to search them effectively, and propose a logical research plan to produce a high-quality literature search. Focus will be on the social sciences but all are welcome.
Overleaf for beginners and intermediate users - 13:00-14:00
This workshop is suitable for users with any level of experience with LaTeX and Overleaf, including beginners. Intro to Overleaf will provide insight into the best way to work with your projects in Overleaf, whether you're new to working with LaTeX, Overleaf or both. You’ll have the chance to hear from an Overleaf representative, ask questions about the platform and learn firsthand about using Overleaf for LaTeX.
EndNote: for reference management - 14:00-15:00
Watch a demonstration of how EndNote (Reference Management Software) works. You’ll see how easily EndNote can be used to collect references; how to store and organise your references; and how to insert those references into your documents.
Preparing for PhD study - 15:00-16:00
Are you curious what a PhD entails? Are you undergoing a Bachelors/Masters and unsure if a PhD is right the next step for you? This 1-hour workshop we will cover all the essential information about the process, from applying for a PhD and impressing a potential supervisor to the skills you will need or develop and the personal qualities needed to succeed in PhD study.
Overcoming writer's block - 11:00-12:00
Academic writing can be difficult when faced with a blank page and the feeling of not being able to find the right words. This workshop will give you practical ways to break through the creative block.
Word: to help build your thesis - 12:00-13:00
This course will explain how the automatic functions in Word can take the manual labour out of building your thesis, reducing errors and saving precious time when deadlines are approaching.
Using Eikon & Datastream to get data in business, economics & finance - 13:00-14:00
Eikon/Datastream are key databases for many students in EBS & Economics. This session covers how to access the databases through Refinitiv Workspace, what kind of data they contain, and demonstrates how to extract popular types of data. There will be time for questions.
Using artificial intelligence tools ethically - 14:00-15:00
With the rise of a new generation of powerful AI tools, it can be difficult to know what these tools can and cannot be used for. This session highlights and demonstrates a range of AI-powered tools and ways you can make the most of them in your academic work without committing an academic offense.
Doing a high-quality literature search, part 2: other sources (social sciences) - 15:00-16:00
There is a lot more to research than books and journals! News & media; magazines; policy documents; data; archives & digitised primary sources; film & documentary - these types of sources can be essential for many dissertation topics. This session will point you to some of the key resources available, show their relevance to your research, and how to search them effectively.
Descriptive Statistics and Graphs with Demo in R - 15:00-16:00
Before focusing on inferential statistics, we use statistics to summarise or describe only the data we have (i.e. our sample). Choosing the right descriptive statistics and the most appropriate type of graph depends on the type of data (categorical, discrete, continuous). This workshop will look at different examples of how to best illustrate your data with a demo in R.
P-value in Statistics - 16:00-17:00
All statistical tests have a null hypothesis. P-values are used in hypothesis testing to help decide whether to reject the null hypothesis. In this workshop we will look at annotated SPSS output from statistical tests to interpret the p-value.
Academic Skills Dissertation Support Clinic - 11:00-12:00
This session is for you to have a quick chat with one of our Academic Skills tutors on any aspect of your dissertation planning and writing.
Descriptive Statistics and Graphs in SPSS - 11:00-12:00
This workshop will take you through the different chart types available in Excel and how to combine them as well as how to calculate basic summary statistics.
Chi-Squared Tests - 13:00-14:00
A chi-square ( χ2) statistic is a test that measures how a model compares to actual observed data. In this workshop we will look at when and how a chi-squared test is carried out. We will also run a demo in SPSS
Intro to referencing - 14:00-15:00
How to reference properly is something that causes students a lot of stress – but it doesn’t need to be difficult. This session will introduce you to referencing and why it is important when writing your assignments. You will also learn what to reference, how to construct your references, and where to go for help and support.
Structuring your dissertation - 15:00-16:00
What different possibilities are you considering for the structure of your dissertation? How can you find out or verify what is ‘best’ for subjects within your faculty? Bring your ideas to contribute in this interactive in-person workshop, and have your work available to refer to. We will examine different potential structures together, and consider the factors which need to be taken into account when planning a dissertation.
Paraphrasing and in-text referencing - 11:00-12:00
This workshop covers simple techniques for summarising and putting sources into your own words in order to avoid plagiarism and make clear and persuasive use of your sources. It will also cover the basics of citing sources within your text when quoting or paraphrasing, and provides examples of how to include in-text citations in different referencing styles.
Getting started with R - 11:00-13:00
This workshop is for learners who are looking to get started with the R programming language. You will learn how to install packages and how to import data sets into the R studio work space. This is part of a series of workshops (Getting started with R, Descriptive Statistics and Graphs in R and Statistical Tests).
Literature review - 12:00-13:00
We will look at the purpose of a Literature Review chapter, what it will typically contain, possible approaches to structure and organisation and how points raised in your Literature Review should link to other sections of your paper. Please have your proposal/title available.
Implementing supervisor feedback - 13:00-14:00
If you have had dissertation feedback from your supervisor and have not been sure how to respond, we will help you to decide what to do. As supervisors take care to offer good advice, and as they also act as markers, it is logical to listen to what they say and carefully consider their views.
Descriptive Statistics and Graphs with Demo in R - 14:00-15:00
Before focusing on inferential statistics, we use statistics to summarise or describe only the data we have (i.e. our sample). Choosing the right descriptive statistics and the most appropriate type of graph depends on the type of data (categorical, discrete, continuous). This workshop will look at different examples of how to best illustrate your data with a demo in R.
Intro to Obsidian - a visual tool for organising notes and generating research ideas - 10:00-11:00
Looking for a simple way to visualise your notes? Obsidian is a simple tool with powerful features that lets you take, organise, and connect your notes and generate ideas from them. This session will cover some of the basics to get you started with Obsidian.
Effective poster presentations - 11:00-12:00
Posters are an alternative to oral presentations or written assignments to give audiences an overview of your research project by presenting data and information in a clear and accessible way. In this workshop, we will cover the components of a research poster and strategies to effectively illustrate your research.
Finding Open Access Resources - 12:00-13:00
Learn how to find good quality open access sources for your research. Open Research is increasingly important in the academic world and so learning how to effectively find and use high quality Open Access sources will not only make your life easier but give you the edge in a changing landscape.
