RD7003 Fixed Components
The Professional Development Program includes Induction sessions and online modules that are compulsory for all HDR candidates, whether they are undertaking a PhD, a Professional Doctorate or an MPhil. The Induction sessions via Zoom are held several times per year.
In addition, a range of compulsory online modules that make up the Fixed Component of your Professional Development program should be undertaken before Confirmation. These are available in the Higher Degree by Research Organisation on LearnJCU, and are marked with the word FIXED COMPONENT MODULE. These modules include short quizzes that must be completed, with a pass rate for each module of 80 per cent. You will find a record of your completion of the quizzes in the My Grades part of the LearnJCU Organisation.
JCU HDR candidates are advised to ensure that they are familiar with the requirements set out in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.
The sessions and online modules listed below should be completed as soon as possible upon commencement and by Confirmation of Candidature.
Please note that the module OneDrive, CareerHub and LearnJCU is no longer required for the Fixed Component.
Special note for HDR candidates undertaking research that involves animals:
Mandatory Animal Ethics Training
All HDR candidates who will be carrying out research or other scientific activities using animals will need to complete the free online ANZCCART ComPass training – Core Mandatory Training Modules and supply the certificate of completion to the Ethics Office at [email protected]. This training is in addition to the Fixed Components shown on this page. Please also read the AEC Application Guide for information on JCU’s animal ethics processes
For more information on accessing the training modules, please see the Research and Innovation Services – Animal Welfare and Ethics web pages. If you have any questions about the training, please contact the Ethics Office.
Live Workshops
All HDR Candidates must complete the HDR Induction as soon as possible after commencing. Induction is a two-phase process. Firstly, complete the module in the Higher Degree by Research Organisation in LearnJCU called "HDR Induction COMPULOSRY MODULE ONLINE + ZOOM. This includes watching some videos, completing a quiz and contributing to the Induction Blog. Also see below "HDR Induction - LearnJCU" for more information.
| Date and Time | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 16 March 2023 at 10am - 2:30pm AEST | Zoom | https://careerhub.jcu.edu.au/students/events/detail/721494 |
| Wednesday 17 May 2023 at 10am - 2:30pm AEST | Zoom | https://forms.office.com/r/7XYvGR8NVh |
| Tuesday 11 July 2023 at 10am - 2:30pm AEST | Zoom | TBA |
| Thursday 26 October 2023 at 10am - 2:30pm AEST | Zoom | TBA |
This session includes:
- A panel session with HDR Ambassadors: What I wish I had known when I started my research higher degree.
- Library Services
- Research and Innovation Services Ethics and Grants
- Data Management and eResearch
- The Process for Higher Degree by Research at JCU
Successfully completing a Higher Degree by Research requires skills to manage not just your project, but also to balance many different demands and responsibilities and maintaining your wellbeing along the way. This workshop offers an opportunity to prepare for the emotional journey of your candidature and to build resilience. The focus will be on developing and strengthening strategies to assist you in facing ‘the bumps on the road’ so that you are able to continue to do what is important. Topics covered in this workshop include self-awareness, values and strengths, managing difficult thoughts and emotions and communicating effectively.
| Date and Time | Location | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 17 March 2023 at 10am – 12:30pm AEST | Zoom | https://careerhub.jcu.edu.au/students/events/detail/721504 |
| Thursday 18 May 2023 at 1pm - 3:30pm AEST |
Townsville - Face to Face Room TBA | https://forms.office.com/r/92diF52z1W |
| Wednesday 24 May 2023 at 10am – 12:30pm AEST | Zoom | https://forms.office.com/r/HdjhYrwyf7 |
| Thursday 13 July 2023 at 10am - 12:30pm AEST | Zoom | TBA |
| Friday 27 October 2023t at 1pm - 3:30pm AEST | Zoom | TBA |
JCU Respectful Relationships Workshops for HDR Candidates is a compulsory, practical, interactive workshop that explores issues of gender, power, relationships, consent and ethics in contemporary Australian society, with particular relevance to HDR candidates. The workshop addresses issues of sexist behaviours, sexual harassment and assault, and equips you to recognise and respond to situations within the research environment.
The workshop is run by Zoom with 20 – 25 participants. You will need a good internet connection, working camera and speaker to participate.
Date | Time (AEST) | Register |
|---|---|---|
Wednesday 8 March 2023 | 12pm - 2pm | |
| Thursday 9 March 2023 | 3pm - 5pm | https://careerhub.jcu.edu.au/students/events/detail/721506 |
| Monday 29 May 2023 | 1pm - 3pm | https://forms.office.com/r/T1wNNpEY0z |
| Tuesday 30 May 2023 | 9am - 11am | https://forms.office.com/r/GZit8gvzce |
| Tuesday 25 July 2023 | 3pm - 5pm | TBA |
| Tuesday 3 October | 1pm - 3pm | TBA |
| Monday 6 November 2023 | 1pm - 3pm | TBA |
This workshop must be completed in addition to the online module "JCU Respect Online Module" in LearnJCU; see information below.
LearnJCU Modules - Higher Degree by Research Organisation
Online modules to be completed at your own pace.
Complete the module in the Higher Degree by Research Organisation in LearnJCU called: HDR Induction COMPULSORY MODULE ONLINE + ZOOM. This includes watching some videos, completing a quiz and contributing to the Induction Blog.
You must also register and attend the HDR Induction Zoom session; details above "HDR Induction - Zoom".
All HDR candidates must complete two Epigeum Research Integrity modules: Responsible conduct of Research and When Things Go Wrong: Breaches of the Code. These modules must be completed as soon as possible upon commencement of a research degree, and before Confirmation of Candidature. The modules are available in the folder titled “Epigeum Research Integrity Compulsory Modules” in the Higher Degree by Research Organisation in LearnJCU. You may undertake these modules flexibly, in your own time.
The Responsible Conduct of Research and Breaches of the Code modules provide flexible ethics study that enables research candidates to engage in an interactive way with ethical issues in many different contexts. The modules each include a short quiz, the results of which are recorded. You must get at least 80 per cent of the quiz questions correct for both modules to successfully complete the course.
If you score below 80 per cent in the re-take quizzes, you will need to start the process again.
Contact the GRS if you have any difficulties: [email protected]
This course gives HDR candidates a sound understanding of the literature review process. Examples are taken from many different disciplines and are relevant to all researchers, regardless of academic field. Content includes the components 'What is a literature review?', 'Searching for literature', 'Evaluation of the literature' and 'Writing up your review'. The Undertaking a Literature Review module takes approximately 3 hours to complete.
This module provides a flexible study area that enables HDR candidates to engage interactively in different contexts. The module includes a pre-course quiz as well as post-course survey and quiz activities.
Access to this and other online modules is via LearnJCU’s Higher Degree by Research Organisation. You will find the compulsory Undertaking a Literature Review module in the Research Skills Master Program folder. That folder also contains other elective modules that you may consider undertaking in addition to the compulsory module.
This series of brief videos provides both practical and conceptual tools for approaching academic writing tasks of various kinds. The videos provide an overview of the principles and strategies needed for writing effective academic prose, then editing it to a high professional standard. The emphasis is on writing and editing for a range of academic purposes, particularly research proposals, theses and journal articles. The workshop establishes a foundation of academic writing and editing that the candidate will build upon throughout candidature.
The module can be found in the Higher Degree by Research Organisation in LearnJCU - in the Professional Writing and Editing folder. For information on how to access the organisation please refer to the Using CareerHub and LearnJCU guide.
Candidates must complete the associated brief quiz.
The Data Management video covers:
- An introduction to the research data management program at JCU;
- Types of data and why research data management is important; and
- A framework for managing research data:
- The Data Life Cycle
- Data Management Plans
Please complete the associated brief quiz.
Plagiarism comprises not only direct copying of aspects of another person’s work but also the reproduction, even if slightly rewritten or adapted, of someone else’s ideas. In both cases, someone else’s work is presented as one's own. Explore the issue of plagiarism as it applies to higher degree by research candidates and their advisors.
The GRS uses a web-based program called iThenticate to help you:
- Avoid inadvertent plagiarism
- Prevent copyright issues from excessive use of your own or others’ text
- Comply with the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct of Research (2007)
- Develop your writing and research integrity practices
The module can be found in the Higher Degree by Research Organisation in LearnJCU, located in a folder called Plagiarism and iThenticate.
Please complete the associated brief quiz.
For information on how to access the organisation please refer to the Using CareerHub and LearnJCU guide
Researchers need to be aware of copyright obligations and privileges as both creators and users of copyright protected material; understand their rights as the creator (e.g. author) of your thesis, research publications and other works; and realise their obligations in using the work of others, e.g. when reproducing figures, images, photos, tables, survey instruments, multimedia, other print and online materials.
This series of videos introduces the copyright issues to be addressed throughout the thesis process – research, writing, submitting and publishing – and provides examples of how best to protect your copyright including assigning, licensing and seeking permissions to use other third party copyright materials. The module also considers the trends towards open access publication and what this means for researchers. This workshop will provide practical advice and examples on how to submit a thesis to [email protected] the JCU digital repository and how to promote the thesis through the repository.
Have you or do you intend to publish sections of your thesis or your thesis as a whole?
- You must understand what you agree to in the publisher agreement before you sign it. Once you have signed this agreement it will influence how you can use your own work in the future.
- There are certain conditions you should look for in an agreement; can you include a published or Accepted Version in your thesis, both in print and online?
- If you have already signed an agreement or published your work, re-read the agreement to see what it allows. If you sign copyright over to the publisher, you are no longer the copyright holder, even though you are the creator of the work.
- This means that you must obtain permission from the publisher if you wish to include your published papers in your thesis and that your thesis will be available through the institutional repository ([email protected]).
- Other helpful resources include the [email protected] LibGuide, Publishing Academic Research LibGuide or you can contact [email protected] for further information.
The module can be found in the Higher Degree by Research organisation in LearnJCU, in the Copyright folder.
For information on how to access the organisation please refer to the Using CareerHub and LearnJCU guide.
Please complete the associated brief quiz.
Other Fixed Online Modules
HDR candidates must complete this online training at the commencement of their candidature.
- HDR Candidates based in Australia (JCUA) complete the JCU Work Health and Safety Induction online
- HDR Candidates based in Singapore (JCUS) complete the JCUS Environmental Health and Safety Induction as scheduled by Research Support
JCUA HDR Candidates: All training sessions and online videos can be found here:
https://www.jcu.edu.au/work-health-and-safety/training
JCU WHS Mandatory Safety Training Course |
|---|
JCU Work Health and Safety Induction – all HDR Candidates To be completed at commencement and a refresher every 3 years or when legislation changes |
JCU fire & evacuation Program (FEP) – all HDR Candidates To be completed at commencement and annually thereafter |
RiskWare System Use – all HDR Candidates To be completed at commencement once only |
WHS Risk management Fundamentals Training – all HDR Candidates To be completed at commencement once only |
RiskWare Field Trip Module To be completed if undertaking field work |
Other training may also be required to complete – check with your advisory team or the WHS Unit- whstraining@jcu.edu.au |
You will need to retain evidence that you have completed these online modules. Please email [email protected]. Please note that the GRS does not have access to these records so candidates must ensure that they obtain a record for themselves and provide it at the relevant candidature milestone.
JCU Respect is an online module that all students and staff on Australian campuses are required to complete. The module addresses sexual harassment and sexual assault. It provides introductory content on recognising a problem (including basic consent/bystander behaviours), responding to disclosures by others, referring to appropriate support services, and reporting to the University and other agencies.
The module includes discussion of sexual harassment and sexual assault. If you feel unable to complete the module for personal reasons you can contact a Sexual Misconduct Officer to arrange a confidential exemption.
You will find the module in LearnJCU under the “Subjects” tab (note that it is not in the HDR Organisation).
This module must be completed in addition to the workshop "Respectful Relationships for HDR Candidates"; see information above.