Identifying a 'promising' topic for a psychology dissertation is widely recognised as one of the most important, challenging, and stressful parts of the research process. Students are required to work in a relatively unstructured way (compared with other modules) to independently identify a topic that is not only appropriate, of personal interest,…

A simple bioassay was designed for the detection of adenosine, a human metabolite involved in several physiological processes, on the basis of the functionalization of gold nanoparticles with DNA oligonucleotides selectively binding adenosine. The test was possible thanks to the selective and sensitive binding of adenosine by two DNA…

The one constant for all dissertations, and for all research for that matter, is the need to state the problem of the study based on the scholarly literature. Doctoral programs commonly require that students take a sequence of research courses that usually focus on how to carry-out a study. That is, the design, the methodology, and the…

We all think of a marathon as a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometers (26 miles and 385 yards). Throughout time marathon runners have pursued their longest goals by allowing their body to adapt to the new stresses through training. Training for a marathon takes intense preparation, dedication and skill. It is…

Graduate students must complete a research project to receive their degree. In addition to this basic requirement, the student may be required to submit a research proposal and application to the governing Institutional Review Board (IRB) for approval prior to beginning the research project. This article describes the IRB process and offers tips…

This guide for doctoral students (especially those from minority groups) and their mentors examines the alliance between the doctoral student and his major professor (dissertation advisor). Mentoring is examined as an element of the doctoral process, including discussion of the roles of the mentor/protege in the alliance, the choosing of a mentor,…

The purpose of this guide, developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges group on Graduate Research, Education, and Training (GREAT), is to outline a model process by which graduate programs can measure program success and that can be adapted to particular circumstances and priorities. The first sections of the guide examine the…

Intended to assist library educators, vendor representatives, end-user trainers, and experienced searchers, this article examines typical problems encountered by students in learning online searching. Problems with database selection, search tactics, and using the search system are highlighted, and a sample online exercise and search request form…

This manual is designed to accompany a University of Texas graduate course on public libraries that covers the historical development, legal basis, administration, financial basis, services to users, system organization, physical facilities, marketing, popular culture, issues, trends, and problems of public libraries. The manual contains the…

This brochure is written for students considering graduate work in physics or related fields such as astronomy, biophysics, and applied physics. It also provides some information for physics undergraduates who plan on pursuing postbaccalaureate studies in the fields of engineering, medicine, law, and other professions that attract significant…

Describes a packet of instructional forms to guide students' reflections on their collaborative writing group's process and progress. Reports that student self-reports at the end of the project reveal that group satisfaction did increase and that those groups that used the forms regularly found them useful. (RS)

This guide is designed to assist doctoral students in successfully completing a doctoral dissertation at Rutgers University of New Jersey. It contains an explanation of the procedures and content necessary for completing a dissertation proposal and for writing the dissertation. Guidelines are presented for the dissertation proposal in which…

This document contains two syllabi and selected handouts developed for a graduate-level course in bibliographic instruction (BI). The purpose of the course is to enable students to become familiar with the field of bibliographic instruction and to plan, implement, and evaluate a BI course within an academic setting. Attention is also given to…

Curriculum developers have a responsibility to fully understand national goals and to translate them into educational programs that will equip citizens to realize these goals. This topic is discussed in this manual for a basic training course in systematic curriculum development, designed for students in developing nations. A brief description of…

This manual was developed for the use of students in a basic training course in systematic curriculum development. This unit of the course deals with the selection of educational materials and provides students with a general background on the kind and type of media that will be most effective in a developing nation. In a discussion of ways that…