Workshops and talks on research skills, strategies for publishing in academic journals, research alert, citation management, researcher identifier creating and research impact showcasing are provided to CUHK postgraduates, researchers and faculty members. In addition, discussion workshops such as successful presentations, thesis writing tips and scientific writing are also organized. Attendance proof may be issued on request.

Postgraduate Survival Skills Workshops

Sharpening Your Research Skills

Title Date & Time Venue Registration
Exploring Research Information in Multi-disciplinary Databases – ProQuest and EBSCOhost

This workshop you will learn how to:

  • Use the two multi-disciplinary databases, EBSCOHost and ProQuest, to discover research information in your research field
  • Use the Advanced search features in the databases
  • Register for a free account to enjoy the personalized features and services
19 Sep 2024 (Thu)
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Online Completed
Using Scopus for Your Research

This workshop you will learn how to:

  • Use Scopus to discover quality research information in your research field
  • Search with topic, keyword, author, author identifier, etc.
  • Find the citation counts of research papers
  • Set up alerts to receive the most updated information automatically by email
23 Sep 2024 (Mon)
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Online Completed
Using Web of Science for Your Research

This workshop you will learn how to:

  • Use Web of Science to discover quality research information in your research field
  • Search with topic, keyword, author, author identifier, etc.
  • Find the citation counts of research papers
  • Set up alerts to receive the most updated information automatically by email
24 Sep 2024 (Tue)
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Online Completed
Tips to Avoid Predatory Journals and Measure Journal Impact

Choosing the appropriate journal for publishing your paper is of utmost importance, as you are only allowed to submit your manuscript to one journal at a time. It is equally crucial to be able to recognize predatory journals and refrain from publishing your articles in such journals. In this session, we will provide an introduction to the process of ascertaining the rankings of journals in different fields using Scopus and Journal Citation Reports. Additionally, you will gain knowledge about the characteristics of predatory journals and the tools available to help you steer clear of them.

27 Sep 2024 (Fri)
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Online Completed
Finding Theses and Dissertations in Your Research Area

This workshop you will learn:

  • Why we need to search for theses
  • How to locate theses and dissertations from universities in:
    • Hong Kong (CUHK & other local universities)
    • China & Taiwan
    • Other Countries
2 Oct 2024 (Wed)
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Online Completed

Medium of Instruction: English
Enquiries: Email to eref@cuhk.edu.hk

Thesis Writing Tips

Capturing readers’ interest and communicating the significance of your research effectively can be challenging tasks. Do you want to enhance your writing skills in doing so?

Co-organized with The Independent Learning Centre (ILC), the Library is pleased to offer the following discussion workshops for research postgraduate students on finding theses, thesis introduction, thesis abstract, and Chinese thesis writing skills.

Title Date & Time Venue Registration
Finding Theses and Dissertations in Your Research Area

This workshop you will learn:

  • Why we need to search for theses
  • How to locate theses and dissertations from universities in:
    • Hong Kong (CUHK & other local universities)
    • China & Taiwan
    • Other Countries

Medium of Instruction: English

2 Oct 2024 (Wed)
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Online Completed
Structuring a Thesis Introduction: How to Get Readers Hooked at the Beginning

Speaker: Dr. Yvonne Loong, Senior Lecturer, ILC

In this workshop, you will be introduced to steps for capturing your readers’ interest in your research topic, appreciating the significance of your research and understanding your research purpose. Specific language features which are commonly seen in thesis introductions will be discussed and practiced during the workshop.

Medium of Instruction: English

15 Oct 2024 (Tue)
2:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
User Education Room, G/F, University Library Completed
Writing an Abstract for Your Thesis: How to Summarize Your Research in 500 Words

Speaker: Dr. Yvonne Loong, Senior Lecturer, ILC

You will learn how to summarize the most important information in your research as well as describe the most significant contributions that your research has made in a concise, readable and impressive manner. Both the structure and language of the thesis abstracts will be discussed during the workshop.

Medium of Instruction: English

16 Oct 2024 (Wed)
2:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
User Education Room, G/F, University Library Completed
Intensive and Profound: Chinese Thesis Writing Skills

Speaker: Dr. Felix Chao, Senior Lecturer, ILC

If the thesis is not written and formulated in the right way, its key ideas will not be able to be communicated effectively. In this workshop, you will study the good language features of a thesis written in Chinese and learn how to avoid the common errors. You will also be introduced to the skills and choice of words for stating your research and theorizing your arguments. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss how to write definitions for key terms, the introduction and the conclusion.

Medium of Instruction: Cantonese supplemented with Putonghua

23 Oct 2024 (Wed)
2:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Online Completed
Enquiries: Email to eref@cuhk.edu.hk

Academic Honesty and Citation

Title Date & Time Venue Registration
Demonstrating Academic Honesty in University Writing Assignments

Speaker:
Dr. Yvonne Loong, Senior Lecturer, ILC
Ms. Lily KO, Head, Research and Learning Support, CUHK Library

Two essential academic skills in university writing are quoting and paraphrasing. In this in depth workshop, you will first see examples of texts and discuss what constitutes plagiarism, if any, in each case. The respective advantages of quoting and paraphrasing will be looked into. Direct quoting and paraphrasing skills which help you demonstrate academic honesty will be discussed and practised. Finally, RefWorks, a web-based bibliography management tool, will be introduced and you will know the way which helps you manage the citations easily.

Medium of Instruction: English

9 Oct 2024 (Wed)
2:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
User Education Room, G/F, University Library Completed
Managing Reference Citations with EndNote 21

A hands-on workshop for beginners to learn basic EndNote skills for managing references and citing the sources smoothly.

After attending this workshop, you will be able to:

  • Create an EndNote library
  • Add references through PDFs, LibrarySearch and various databases to EndNote
  • Generate in-text citations and references in MS Word
  • Manage references effectively using grouping features

Medium of Instruction: Cantonese (English will be used if users require.)

21 Oct 2024 (Mon)
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Change to online via Zoom
User Education Room,
G/F, University Library
Completed
Managing Reference Citations with RefWorks

This workshop demonstrates how to use RefWorks, a web-based bibliography management tool, to generate bibliographies and in-text citations.

After attending this workshop, you will be able to:

  • Set up a RefWorks account
  • Add references from various sources, like LibrarySearch and various databases
  • Generate citations in your preferred citation style

Medium of Instruction: Cantonese (English will be used if users require.)

29 Oct 2024 (Tue)
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Change to online via Zoom
User Education Room,
G/F, University Library
Completed
Enquiries: Email to eref@cuhk.edu.hk

Oral Defence Tips

The Library is pleased to offer a workshop on oral defence co-organized with The Independent Learning Centre (ILC) for research postgraduate students.

Title Date & Time Venue Registration
Designing a Successful Oral Defence

Speaker: Dr. Maria Luisa C. Sadorra

This workshop for postgraduate students is designed to prepare participants for their oral defence. It familiarizes them with the common structure and expected content of the defence, and management of public self-presentation. Participants will be introduced to principles of presentation and notions of public persona. Two Q&A sessions will provide opportunities for participants to ask questions and receive feedback specific to their viva.

Dr. Maria Luisa C. Sadorra is a language consultant and independent researcher. She is lecturer at Ateneo De Manila University. She pioneered persona studies at the National University of Singapore (NUS) through the Ideas and Exposition Programme where she offered “Public Persona and Self-Presentation” at the University Town College Programme. At NUS, she also taught and coordinated undergraduate and postgraduate communication and academic writing courses.

Remarks:
Participants are recommended to turn on the video during the Zoom workshop.

31 Oct 2024 (Thu)
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Online Completed

Medium of Instruction: English
Enquiries: Email to eref@cuhk.edu.hk

Scientific Writing Workshops

Co-organized with The Independent Learning Centre (ILC), the Library is pleased to offer the following workshops on writing in life sciences for postgraduate students. All postgraduate students from the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Science are welcome to join!

Title Date & Time Venue Registration
Successful Writing in the Life Sciences: Designing Effective Figures and Tables

Speaker: Dr. Sarah E. Webb

Students will learn how to present scientific information in their thesis, research publications and conference presentations. Topics to be covered include the preparation of figures (line illustrations, photomicrographs and graphs) and tables.

Dr. Sarah E. Webb was born and brought up in the UK. She obtained a BSc. (Hons.) in Biochemistry at the University of Bath, and a PhD in Cell Biology from King’s College London. She has worked in Hong Kong for almost 30 years, first at the CUHK and then at the HKUST. She has many years’ experience in writing, proof-reading and editing scientific research articles and reviews, and has taught a number of scientific writing courses and workshops. Dr. Webb also runs a company (EDITXL) to help academics and students in Hong Kong and China proof-read and edit their work.

24 Oct 2024 (Thu)
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
User Education Room, G/F, University Library Completed
25 Oct 2024 (Fri)
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building Completed

Medium of Instruction: English
Enquiries: Email to eref@cuhk.edu.hk

Winning Academic Presentation Skills

Title Date & Time Venue Registration
Fluent and Successful: Oral Presentation Skills in Chinese

Speaker: Dr. Felix Chao, Senior Lecturer, ILC

In this workshop, you will learn about various types of oral presentations for academic purposes. You will discuss how to make the best use of the presentation format, and will examine the issues that you will need to pay attention to when presenting in Cantonese. You will also discuss the use of multimedia tools and how to deal with difficulties that you might experience during oral presentations.

Medium of Instruction: Cantonese supplemented with Putonghua

7 Nov 2024 (Thu)
2:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Online Completed
Enhancing oral presentation competence with AI-powered tools

Speaker: Dr. Paula Hodgson

Postgraduate students often need to give short presentations to different audiences. You may present your research in your departments, faculties, or conferences, both locally and internationally. This workshop is intended to empower you with key skills that may captivate your audience.

Good content structure of your research work, precise and accurate contents with visually engaging graphics are essential in presentation slides when giving professional and proficient oral presentations. Apart from structure and content, a presenter’s pace and tone of delivery are key to drawing the attention of the audience. In this workshop, AI-powered tools are introduced in a way that participants may use them to receive timely impartial feedback, including evaluation of content clarity, accuracy and relevance, and analysis of voice quality, tone and pace.

Unlike many workshops, this is an interactive workshop. To fine-tune your oral presentation skills to the next level, participants will practise these skills, including using these tools and interactions with fellow participants. You will also learn tips and tricks on handling stage fright and responding to ‘questions and answers’ professionally. By becoming AI-ready graduates, this workshop will boost your confidence to deliver captivating presentations.

Medium of Instruction: English

12 Nov 2024 (Tue)
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
User Education Room, G/F, University Library Completed
Enquiries: Email to eref@cuhk.edu.hk

Researcher Workshop

The workshop information will be updated when available.

Digital Scholarship and Research Data Workshops (Sep-Nov 2024)

Title Date & Time Venue Registration
Introducing Digital Humanities for Study and Research

Digital humanities is a new form of research increasingly embraced by scholars in arts and humanities. This seminar will show you:

  • Concepts of digital humanities research and the research methods used
  • How to apply popular digital tools on GIS, text mining and analysis, data and network visualisation, etc. in digital humanities research
  • Examples on digital humanities research projects from worldwide to illustrate the use of research methods and tools used
26 Sep 2024 (Thu)
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Online Register
Beginning Data Science in R (7 sessions)

Invited speaker: Dr. Kwong-cheong WONG, Programme Director and Senior Lecturer, Data Science and Policy Studies Programme, CUHK

This workshop introduces the key aspects of data analysis and visualization in data science using R. The topics covered include filtering and selecting relevant data, transforming data for analysis, summarizing data, creating informative data visualizations for exploration and presentation, and model building using machine learning techniques. Participants will acquire practical skills in R by working on a data analysis project.

Remarks:
Participants are required to bring their device for hands-on practice.

27 Sep – 15 Nov 2024 (Fri)
(except 11 Oct)
2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Digital Scholarship Lab, G/F, University Library Register
Understanding Research Data Management

Research data management refers to the collection, analysis, archive, sharing, and reuse of research data. This workshop will introduce the principles in managing data, the practice of managing and depositing research data. It will also emphasize how sharing and reuse of research data influences your research impact.

7 Oct 2024 (Mon)
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Online Register
Effective Use of The CUHK Research Data Repository

The CUHK Research Data Repository is the University’s research data repository. It aims to facilitate CUHK researchers to deposit, publish, and curate their research data outputs and for the worldwide to discover, access, and reuse the data. This workshop will introduce the features of the CUHK Research Data Repository and the effective methods for better data self-management, including publishing and sharing data in the Repository, and depositing data for peer review.

8 Oct 2024 (Tue)
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Online Register
A Quick Glance of Online Text Analysing Tools

This online workshop will introduce the concept of text analysis and a few examples of text analysis tools. An online text analysing tool – Voyant Tools (http://www.voyant-tools.org/) will be demonstrated to give handy results of textual materials, no matter they are in text file or online.

9 Oct 2024 (Wed)
3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Online Register
Writing Data Management Plans with DMPTool

A data management plan (DMP) is a written document that outlines how research data are managed in a research project. Some funding agencies require researchers to prepare a DMP at the proposal preparation stage.  CUHK has been affiliated with DMPTool, on which the CUHK Data Management Plan Template and templates of some popular funding agencies are also available. Besides introducing the rationale of having a DMP, this workshop will guide you to write a DMP with DMPTool.

10 Oct 2024 (Thu)
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Online Register
Visualising Network Relationships with Gephi

Gephi is a free software for visualisation and exploration of graphs and networks. This workshop will demonstrate the use of the software in turning your data into network graphs to discover hidden message.

Remarks:
Participants can install Gephi 0.10.1 (https://gephi.org/) and related plugins in their device.

17 Oct 2024 (Thu)
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Digital Scholarship Lab, G/F, University Library Register
Introduction to GIS & ArcGIS

Invited speaker: Mr Gilbert YEUNG, GIS Analyst, Esri China (Hong Kong) Ltd.

Conducted by ArcGIS vendor, this seminar will introduce the concept of Geographic Information System (GIS) and its use in research.  It will also cover the use of the software ArcGIS with illustration from examples of research projects.

22 Oct 2024 (Tue)
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Digital Scholarship Lab, G/F, University Library Register
Medium of Instruction: Cantonese (except for those remarked); but English will be used if users require.
Enquiries:
Email to dslab@lib.cuhk.edu.hk

Improving Postgraduate Learning (IPL) Courses offered by Library

The Improving Postgraduate Learning (IPL) programme, organized by the Graduate School and the Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research (CLEAR), is a structured and cross-disciplinary framework which aims to facilitate the learning of research skills for all postgraduate students. It is highly recommended for postgraduate students to build a solid foundation for their postgraduate studies. All postgraduates are welcome to join!

Topics:

Registration begins on 12 August 2024.

Discovering Research Information at Your Discipline

Conducted by the corresponding Faculty Liaison Librarian, these courses focus on discovering discipline-specific scholarly and research information. They are highly recommended to enhance your research information skills. Students are recommended to go through the Discovering Research Information Skills Online Course before taking these discipline-specific courses.

Discipline / Course Date & Time Venue Registration
Group 1: Arts 16 Sep 2024 (Mon)
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Online Completed
Group 2: Business Administration 5 Oct 2024 (Sat)
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Group 3: Education 19 Sep 2024 (Thu)
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Group 4: Engineering 20 Sep 2024 (Fri)
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Group 5: Medicine 26 Sep 2024 (Thu)
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Group 6: Science 3 Oct 2024 (Thu)
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Group 7: Social Science 23 Sep 2024 (Mon)
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Group 8: Law 28 Sep 2024 (Sat)
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Group 9: Chinese Law 21 Sep 2024 (Sat)
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Discovering Research Information Skills Online Course

This is an online course available on Blackboard. Designed for ALL postgraduate students to learn the basic research skills. After completion of this online course, students are Strongly Recommended to enroll in one of the sessions under Discovering Research Information in Your Discipline.

Objective & Brief Description Enrollment Deadline Venue Registration
As a postgraduate student, you may want to equip yourself with the essential research skills. This online course is a great starting point! The CUHK librarians have developed this online module to enhance your research skills, particularly with postgraduate students in mind. After completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify keywords of your topic and formulate a search statement for searching resources;
  • Use LibrarySearch to search for resources, particularly theses;
  • Understand different types of library databases, and use Scopus to discover quality research information; and
  • Find a journal to publish in and increase the visibility of a published article.
Group 1 : 30 Aug 2024 Self-learning online course on Blackboard Please register by the enrollment deadline for each group.

(All groups are identical. Please only register for one group)

Group 2 : 27 Sep 2024
Group 3 : 25 Oct 2024
Group 4 : 22 Nov 2024
Group 5 : 3 Jan 2025
Group 6 : 7 Feb 2025
Group 7 : 7 Mar 2025
Group 8 : 11 Apr 2025
Certificate of Attendance will be issued if you:
  1. Completed the whole online course and the quiz at the end with at least 60% passing score (i.e. with at least 12 questions answered correctly out of 20 questions). There is only ONE attempt. You are recommended to go through the whole course before taking the quiz; AND
  2. Attended ONE of the Discovering Research Information at Your Discipline workshops with at least 1.5 hours of attendance.

Managing and Creating Reference Citations with Reference Managing Tools

At the end of the courses, students will be able to:

  • Create and format in-text citations and bibliographies for their papers using the two Reference Management Tools, EndNote and RefWorks;
  • Create personal references database by importing references from online databases and other sources; and
  • Manage references in the personal database.
Discipline / Course Date & Time Venue Registration
Managing and Creating Reference Citations with EndNote 25 Sep 2024 (Wed)
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Online Completed
Managing and Creating Reference Citations with RefWorks 2 Oct 2024 (Wed)
6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Research Data Management for Your Discipline

The workshops for different disciplines will cover:

  • Key concepts of research data management;
  • Features of Data Management Plans (DMPs) and using DMPTool to create DMPs;
  • Data repositories and dataset deposit in the CUHK Research Data Repository;
  • Data collection and reuse (according to disciplines); and
  • Data ethics (according to disciplines).

ForalF

Discipline / Course Date & Time Venue Registration
Group 1: Arts and Education 28 Sep 2024 (Sat)
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Online Register
Group 2: Engineering 24 Sep 2024 (Tue)
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Group 3: Medicine 23 Sep 2024 (Mon)
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Group 4: Science 28 Sep 2024 (Sat)
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Group 5: Business, Law, Social Science, and Inter-faculty 21 Sep 2024 (Sat)
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Group 6: Multi-disciplines 15 Jan 2025 (Wed)
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Basics of Research Data Management

This is an online course available on Blackboard. Compulsory for ALL research postgraduate and taught doctoral students (admitted in 2022/23 or after). Students are required to complete this online course in their 1st year of studies.

Objective & Brief Description Enrollment Deadline Venue Registration
Research Data Management (RDM) is of growing importance throughout the research life cycle. This self-learning online course covers an overview of RDM, Data Management Plan, data deposit, and data ethics. After completion of this course, students will be able to understand the purpose and principles in research data management. Group 1 : 30 Aug 2024 Self-learning online course on Blackboard Please register by the enrollment deadline for each group.

(All groups are identical. Please only register for one group) 

Group 2 : 27 Sep 2024
Group 3 : 25 Oct 2024
Group 4 : 22 Nov 2024
Group 5 : 3 Jan 2025
Group 6 : 7 Feb 2025
Group 7 : 7 Mar 2025
Group 8 : 11 Apr 2025

Observing Intellectual Property and Copyright Law during Research

This is an online course available on Blackboard. Compulsory for ALL research postgraduate students.

Objective & Brief Description Enrollment Deadline Venue Registration
It is very important for students to know how to avoid infringing the Intellectual Property and Copyright of others. This course will introduce CUHK research students to updated issues in Intellectual Property and Copyright which are applicable in academic circles. To link the issues to global research, the subject of ‘Plagiarism’ is also included. Group 1 : 30 Aug 2024 Self-learning online course on Blackboard Please register by the enrollment deadline for each group.

(All groups are identical. Please only register for one group)

Group 2 : 27 Sep 2024
Group 3 : 25 Oct 2024
Group 4 : 22 Nov 2024
Group 5 : 3 Jan 2025
Group 6 : 7 Feb 2025
Group 7 : 7 Mar 2025
Group 8 : 11 Apr 2025

Medium of Instruction: English

Enquiries related to IPL:
Email: clear@cuhk.edu.hk
Phone: 3943 6201

Request a Seminar

Course instructors and students in groups may request seminars for a particular subject area or a specific assignment at any time during the year. From the planning stage of a course or research project, Liaison Librarians with different subject backgrounds can work with you to strengthen research skills for gathering and managing scholarly information sources.
Please contact Research Services (for postgraduate training requirements) for details.