CPGS 2026 Postgraduate Development Programme
Coordinator: Dr Selema Molopa
Assistant: Ms Kediinametse Mothobi
1. Proposal Writing Series Workshops (8-Day Intensive)
The Proposal Writing Series Workshops are designed as intensive, hands-on learning interventions aimed at developing postgraduate students’ capacity to conceptualise, structure, and produce high-quality research proposals. The workshops prioritise practical application, enabling participants to actively work on their own proposals throughout the series.
Each series is delivered as an 8-day focused programme, structured around progressive proposal components such as problem formulation, literature framing, research design, methodology, ethics, and feasibility. The primary purpose is to move students from conceptual understanding to tangible proposal drafts that are ready for supervisory review or institutional submission.
1.1. Workshop Design and Delivery
• Format: Small, interactive group sessions delivered online and in person, depending on student and facilitator needs.
• Pedagogy: Application-based and task-driven, with guided writing, peer engagement, and facilitator feedback
• Interactivity: High participants work individually and collaboratively on real proposal sections
• Duration: Extended sessions lasting several hours per day, allowing sustained engagement and deep focus
• Facilitation: Led by experienced research methodology and academic writing specialists
Participants receive structured guidance, templates, examples, and real-time feedback, ensuring that learning is embedded directly into their own research work.
1.2. Intended Outcomes
• A clearly articulated and well-structured research proposal
• Improved research design and methodological coherence
• Enhanced academic writing and argumentation skills
• Increased proposal approval readiness and throughput
1.3. Table 1: Proposal writing series 1-4 Series Period
Series 1 11 March – 21 March 2026 09:00 – 17:00
Series 2 17 June – 27 June 2026 09:00 – 17:00
Series 3 02 September – 12 September 2026 09:00 – 17:00
Series 4 18 November – 27 November 2026 09:00 – 17:00
End of Term 1
End of Term 2
End of Term 3
End of Term 4
2. Article Writing 8-Day Workshops
The Article Writing 8-Day Workshops are designed as intensive, hands-on scholarly writing interventions aimed at strengthening postgraduate students’ capacity to conceptualise, structure, and produce publishable research articles. The workshops emphasise practical application, enabling participants to work directly on their own manuscripts throughout the programme, with the explicit goal of progressing drafts toward submission readiness.
Each workshop is delivered as a focused eight-day programme, structured around the progressive components of a research article, including problem framing, literature synthesis, theoretical positioning, research design and methodology, data presentation, discussion of findings, ethical considerations, and journal alignment. The primary purpose is to support students in moving from conceptual clarity to coherent, submission-ready article drafts suitable for supervisory review and targeted journal submission.
2.1. Workshop Design and Delivery
• Format: Small, interactive group sessions delivered through a blended approach (online and in-person), responsive to student needs and facilitator availability.
• Pedagogy: Application-based and task-driven, incorporating guided writing, iterative drafting, peer engagement, and structured facilitator feedback.
• Interactivity: High levels of engagement, with participants working both independently and collaboratively on authentic sections of their own research articles.
• Duration: Extended daily sessions over eight consecutive days, allowing sustained scholarly focus, depth of engagement, and iterative refinement of article components.
• Facilitation: Led by experienced academic writing, research methodology, and publication specialists with expertise in postgraduate supervision and scholarly publishing.
Participants are supported through structured writing frameworks, article templates, exemplar texts, journal selection guidance, and real-time feedback, ensuring that learning is embedded directly into their own research outputs.
2.2. Intended Outcomes
• A clearly structured, academically sound research article draft aligned to target journal requirements
• Improved coherence between research questions, methodology, findings, and scholarly argumentation
• Enhanced academic writing proficiency, critical synthesis, and positioning within the literature
• Increased readiness for journal submission, contributing to improved postgraduate publication throughput
Article Writing Series 1-4
Series Period Academic Context
Series 1 11 March – 21 March 2026
09:00 – 17:00
Series 2 17 June – 27 June 2026
09:00 – 17:00
Series 3 02 September – 12 September 2026
09:00 – 17:00
Series 4 18 November – 27 November 2026
09:00 – 17:00
3. Webinar Series (Information Sharing)
End of Term 1
End of Term 2
End of Term 3
End of Term 4
The Webinar Series forms part of the CPGS postgraduate development offerings and is designed to inform, educate, and raise awareness on key research, academic, and postgraduate support topics. The programme draws on expertise from approved service providers, strategic partners, and local facilitators, creating a platform for knowledge sharing across the postgraduate community.
Webinars are delivered as short, focused online sessions, typically scheduled during lunchtime to maximise accessibility and participation without disrupting academic or research commitments. The format is suited to engaging large audiences and prioritises the efficient dissemination of information, updates, and best practices.
1.4. Webinar Design and Delivery
• Purpose: Information sharing, awareness building, and exposure to services, tools, and opportunities
• Format: Live online presentations with structured content delivery
• Interactivity: Low to moderate, primarily through chat-based questions and facilitated Q&A
• Duration: Approximately 60 minutes per session
• Presenters: Service providers, partners, and internal or local facilitators Webinars may be recorded and made available as part of the CPGS digital resource repository, extending their value beyond the live session.
1.5. Intended Outcomes
• Increased awareness of postgraduate support services and research opportunities
• Improved understanding of tools, processes, and institutional offerings
• Broader reach and engagement across faculties and campuses
• Efficient knowledge transfer at scale
4. Mentoring
In addition to structured training, the CPGS Postgraduate Development Mentoring Programme provides group-based tutoring and mentoring with a strong focus on publication outputs. Experienced CPGS publication specialists assign students to small mentoring groups and guide them over a three-month period toward the development and submission of a research publication.
Mentoring activities include targeted guidance on article structure, argument development, journal selection, responding to reviewer feedback, and publication ethics. This sustained engagement model supports both skill development and tangible research outputs.
Furthermore, mentors are allocated short, hourly tutoring and mentorship assignments to support students referred by their faculties or supervisors. This flexible, responsive support mechanism ensures that students receive timely, specialised assistance aligned with their specific research and publication needs.
5. Training (Structured Skill Acquisition)
The Training component of the CPGS Postgraduate Development Programme equips postgraduate students with practical, task-specific skills required for effective research, academic work, and publication. Its primary aim is to enable direct skill acquisition that results in measurable improvements in postgraduate performance and research outputs.
Training is delivered through structured, modular online sessions (Tables 5.1–5.7), with a strong emphasis on the practical application of tools, methods, and templates to real postgraduate research tasks, ensuring immediate relevance and usability. The full list of training titles and detailed outlines is provided in Annexure A.
To accommodate postgraduate schedules, sessions are offered as high-impact 3-hour evening workshops (18:00–21:00) and are recorded for flexible access. The delivery approach integrates interactive activities, practical demonstrations, and downloadable resources to maximise engagement and learning outcomes.
The intended outcome is a demonstrable improvement in research practice, academic writing, and task-specific competence, aligned with institutional quality standards and postgraduate success indicators.
5.1. Research Planning, Design
Registration: Research Planning, Design Workshop - 2026 – Fill out form
Where can I find relevant literature for my research?
Tue 24 Feb (T1)
Tue 21 Apr (T2)
Tue 11 Aug (T3)
Developing a Research Proposal Thu 26 Feb (T1) Thu 23 Apr (T2) Thu 13 Aug (T3)
Research Planning and Research Organising Tue 03 Mar (T1) Tue 28 Apr (T2) Tue 18 Aug (T3)
Smart Research Methods: How to Investigate Like a Pro Thu 05 Mar (T1) Thu 30 Apr (T2) Thu 20 Aug (T3)
HDC Digital Training for Students Mon 02 Mar (T1) Mon 17 Aug (T3)
HDC Digital Training for Supervisors Wed 04 Mar (T1) Wed 19 Aug (T3)
5.2. Literature Review Methodologies
Registration: Literature Review Methodologies - 2026 – Fill out form
1
2
Systematic Literature Review Tue 10 Mar (T1) Tue 05 May (T2) Tue 25 Aug (T3)
Systematic Review as a Methodology Thu 12 Mar (T1) Thu 07 May (T2) Thu 27 Aug (T3)
Scoping Review Tue 24 Mar (T2) Tue 01 Sep (T3) Tue 20 Oct (T4)
Meta-Analysis Thu 26 Mar (T2) Thu 03 Sep (T3) Thu 22 Oct (T4)
5.3. Ethics & Responsible Research
Registration: Ethics & Responsible Research - 2026 – Fill out form Title/s Term 2 Term 3
Introduction to Responsible Research & Research Ethics Tue 07 Apr (T2) Tue 15 Sep (T3) Tue 10 Nov (T4)
Turnitin Training for Postgraduate Students Mon 06 Apr (T2) Mon 14 Sep (T3)
Turnitin Training for PG Supervisors Wed 08 Apr (T2) Wed 16 Sep (T3)
5.4. Data Collection & Analysis
Registration: Data Collection & Analysis - 2026 – Fill out form
Alternative Data Collection: Using Existing Data for Your Research Thu 16 Apr (T2) Thu 24 Sep (T3) Thu 19 Nov (T4)
Data Collection: Fieldwork in Practice Tue 28 Apr (T2) Tue 29 Sep (T3) Tue 24 Nov (T4)
Qualitative Data Analysis: Using Atlas.ti Thu 30 Apr (T2) Thu 01 Oct (T3)
How to Write Quantitative Research? Tue 05 May (T2) Tue 06 Oct (T3)
Data Analysis (SPSS): Descriptive Statistics, Data Visualisation, ML & Predictive Analytics
Thu 07 May (T2) Thu 08 Oct (T3)
5.5. Academic Writing, AI & Thesis Development
Registration: Academic Writing, AI & Thesis Development - 2026 – Fill out form Title/s
1
2
4
Academic Writing Tue 17 Mar (T1) Tue 12 May (T2) Tue 03 Nov (T4)
Research Writing Thu 19 Mar (T1) Thu 14 May (T2) Thu 05 Nov (T4)
Thesis Formatting Thu 04 Jun (T2) Thu 29 Oct (T3) Thu 19 Nov (T4)
Software Tools to Aid Research Writing: AI for Research Tue 19 May (T2) Tue 13 Oct (T3) Tue 10 Nov (T4)
5.6. Publishing, Visibility & Scholarly Outputs
Registration: Publishing, Visibility & Scholarly Outputs - 2026 – Fill out form
Title/s
2
Writing for Publication Thu 21 May (T2) Thu 15 Oct (T3) Thu 12 Nov (T4)
How Do I Write a Research Article? Tue 26 May (T2) Tue 20 Oct (T3)
Academic Paper Strategy Thu 28 May (T2) Thu 22 Oct (T3)
Academic Paper Conversion Tue 02 Jun (T2) Tue 27 Oct (T3)
How Do I Find Journals Where CPUT Covers APCs? Thu 18 Jun (T2) Thu 19 Nov (T4)
5.7. Postgraduate funding support
Registration: Postgraduate funding support - 2026 – Fill out form
Title/s
2
3
4
Introduction to Responsible Research & Research Ethics Tue 16 Sep (T3) Tue 11 Nov (T4)
6. Annexure A – Detailed Training Titles No. Workshop title Description
1. Where can I find relevant literature for my research?
The Finding of Literature and Referencing with Library Resources & Mendeley workshop introduces participants to effective strategies for locating high-quality scholarly literature and managing references efficiently using institutional library tools and Mendeley.
Course outline:
• Where to find relevant literature for academic research
• Using the library search to find books, e-books, and scholarly articles
• Searching academic databases effectively (keywords, Boolean operators, filters)
• Accessing electronic theses and dissertations repositories
• Identifying research methodology literature
• Registering for and installing Mendeley
• Differences between Mendeley Web and Desktop and syncing libraries
• Linking Mendeley with Microsoft Word for in-text citations and bibliographies
• Finding, importing, and organising literature in Mendeley
• Reading, highlighting, annotating, and note-taking in Mendeley
• Referencing accurately and avoiding plagiarism
The workshop equips postgraduate students and researchers with practical skills to locate relevant literature quickly and manage references accurately, supporting a more efficient and organised research journey.
2. Developing a Research Proposal
3. Systematic Literature Review
The Proposal Writing workshop introduces participants to the structure, purpose, and key components of a strong research proposal. The session focuses on clarity, coherence, and alignment between the research problem, methodology, and expected contribution.
Course outline:
• Purpose and role of a research proposal
• Understanding institutional and funding requirements
• Defining the research problem and rationale
• Developing clear aims, objectives, and research questions
• Conducting a focused literature review
• Theoretical or conceptual framework
• Research design and methodology
• Ethical considerations and feasibility
• Project scope, timelines, and resources
• Common pitfalls and proposal evaluation criteria
The workshop equips postgraduate students and researchers with practical guidance to develop well-structured, defensible research proposals ready for supervisor or committee review.
The Systematic Literature Review (SLR) workshop introduces participants to the principles, processes, and tools required to conduct a rigorous, transparent, and reproducible review of scholarly literature. The session emphasises methodological clarity, ethical scholarship, and practical skills that can be applied across disciplines.
Course outline:
No. Workshop title Description
• Purpose and value of a Systematic Literature Review
• Differences between narrative, scoping, and systematic reviews
• Formulating a clear review question (e.g. PICo, PICO, SPIDER)
• Developing search strategies and selecting databases
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria
• Screening and selection of studies
• Quality appraisal and risk of bias
• Data extraction and synthesis approaches
• Reporting standards and transparency (e.g. PRISMA)
• Managing references and avoiding plagiarism The workshop is designed to support postgraduate students and emerging researchers in producing high-quality, defensible literature reviews aligned with academic and ethical research standards
4. Systematic Review as a Methodology
5. Scoping Review
The Systematic Review as a Methodology workshop introduces participants to systematic reviewing as a standalone research methodology. The session emphasises rigor, transparency, and reproducibility, supporting postgraduate students in using systematic reviews as defensible primary research.
Course outline:
• Systematic review as a research methodology
• When and why to use a systematic review as a study design
• Formulating focused research questions
• Developing and registering a review protocol
• Search strategies and database selection
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria
• Screening and quality appraisal of studies
• Data extraction and synthesis approaches
• Reporting standards and transparency (e.g. PRISMA)
• Ethical considerations and methodological limitations The workshop equips researchers with the conceptual and practical foundations to design, conduct, and defend systematic reviews as rigorous academic research
The Scoping Review workshop introduces participants to the purpose, structure, and methodological principles of scoping reviews as a rigorous approach for mapping existing literature, identifying key concepts, gaps, and evidence types within a research field. The session emphasises transparency, systematic searching, and ethical scholarship. Course outline:
• Purpose and value of a Scoping Review
• Differences between scoping, systematic, and narrative reviews
• When and why to choose a scoping review
• Formulating broad review questions and objectives
• Developing search strategies and selecting databases
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria
• Screening and selection of sources
• Charting and mapping the evidence
• Identifying research gaps and trends
• Reporting standards and transparency (e.g. PRISMA-ScR)
No. Workshop title Description
• Managing references and avoiding plagiarism
The workshop equips participants with practical skills to design and conduct a credible scoping review aligned with postgraduate research and publication requirements.
6. Alternative Data Collection: Using Existing Data for Your Research
Alternative Data Collection Methods introduces participants to non-traditional and emerging approaches to data collection, with a focus on open research platforms and AI-supported analysis. The session highlights methodological rigour, ethical use of data, and strategies for strengthening research credibility.
Course outline:
• Overview of alternative and non-traditional data collection methods
• Open data and secondary data sources in research
• Using platforms such as Figshare for data discovery, reuse, and prestudy exploration
• Testing theoretical assumptions using existing datasets prior to primary data collection
• Integrating AI tools for data exploration, pattern detection, and preliminary analysis
• Data triangulation using multiple sources and methods
• Validation and corroboration of findings
• Ethical considerations in the use of secondary and AI-assisted data
• Limitations, risks, and quality assurance in alternative data collection
The workshop supports postgraduate students and researchers in responsibly leveraging open data and AI tools to enhance methodological robustness and research confidence.
7. Introduction to Responsible Research & Research Ethics
The Introduction to Responsible Research & Research Ethics workshop introduces research integrity and ethics as the cornerstone of responsible scholarly practice. The session builds awareness of ethical responsibilities and the importance of good research conduct throughout the entire research journey.
Course outline:
• Responsibility and accountability of the researcher
• Introduction to research integrity and research ethics
• Overview of moral philosophy and ethical reasoning
• Key ethical definitions, principles, and frameworks
• Risk–benefit analysis in research design and decision-making
• Informed consent processes in research
• Research misconduct (e.g. plagiarism, fabrication, falsification)
• Conflicts of interest and ethical disclosure
• Codes of conduct and institutional ethical guidelines
The workshop equips postgraduate students and researchers with the knowledge to conduct ethical, compliant, and trustworthy research aligned with institutional and professional standards.
8. Academic Writing
The Academic Writing workshop focuses on developing clear, coherent, and persuasive scholarly writing. The session supports postgraduate students in strengthening their academic voice, structuring arguments effectively, and producing well-organised research texts.
Course outline:
No. Workshop title Description
• Academic vocabulary and discipline-appropriate language
• Writing clear and effective sentences
• Developing coherent and focused paragraphs
• Structuring and sustaining a strong academic argument
• Writing a convincing and engaging introduction
• Logical flow and coherence across sections
• Structuring a thesis or dissertation
• Common academic writing challenges and strategies for improvement The workshop equips participants with practical writing techniques to enhance clarity, argumentation, and overall quality of academic work.
9. Research Writing
The Research Writing workshop focuses on writing up a thesis or research report from Chapter 2 through to the final chapter. The session guides participants on how to translate an approved proposal into a coherent, wellstructured, and examinable research document.
Course outline:
• Using Chapter 1 (the research proposal) as a roadmap for the thesis/research report
• Aligning chapters with research questions, sub-research questions, or hypotheses
• Structuring and writing the Literature Review (Chapter 2)
• Writing the Research Methodology chapter
• Presenting and analysing data in the Data Analysis/Results chapter
• Interpreting analysed data to derive credible findings
• Integrating findings with existing literature to demonstrate contribution to knowledge
• Structuring and writing the final (discussion and conclusion) chapter
• Writing the thesis abstract or research report summary
The workshop equips postgraduate students and researchers with practical guidance to produce a coherent, logically aligned, and academically rigorous thesis or research report, building directly on an already conceptualised research proposal.
10. Writing for Publication
11. How Do I Write a Research Article?
Course Content
• Outline of an academic paper
• Common pitfalls preventing you from getting published
• Some tricks to get your work published more quickly
• Common language errors
• How to use your technology: Styles, referencing software, etc.
• How to structure a paragraph. Readability statistics
• Target: Complete introduction - peer-reviewed and proofread
How to Write a Research Article workshop guides participants through the structure, conventions, and expectations of publishing a scholarly journal article. The session focuses on clarity, coherence, and alignment with journal and disciplinary standards.
Course outline:
• Purpose and types of research articles
• Understanding journal aims, scope, and author guidelines
• Structuring a research article (IMRaD model)
No. Workshop title Description
• Writing a clear and compelling abstract
• Developing a strong introduction and literature positioning
• Presenting methods and results effectively
• Writing a critical discussion and conclusion
• Referencing, citations, and academic integrity
• Revising, responding to reviewer comments, and resubmission
• Common reasons for rejection and how to avoid them The workshop equips postgraduate students and researchers with practical guidance to produce publishable research articles that meet peer-review and editorial expectations.
12. Academic Paper Strategy Plans, possibilities, pitfalls and pointers: A step-by-step ‘muffin-making’ strategy for writing a journal article.
Bring an article (if you already have a draft) you want to structure to the workshop. If you are busy constructing your master’s or Doctoral thesis, bring work completed to date along too. You will need your laptop because the focus of the workshop is on a generalized journal paper framework template that can be used to begin structuring your research paper.
Participants will receive a copy of the framework template, workshop notes compiled by the presenter, articles on academic writing, and URLs to digital guidelines and tips on successful journal paper writing.
13. Academic Paper Conversion
14. Smart Research Methods: How to Investigate Like a Pro
This workshop focuses on writing academic papers with the aim of submitting these papers into journals (preferably accredited by DHET) for publication. The workshop is open to researchers who have completed their thesis (or functional part thereof, e.g. the literature review, which can be used to write a complete journal paper) and who are now ready to convert their research into one or more research papers for publication in a journal. Researchers may be comfortable with writing their dissertation/thesis, but could feel inexperienced, unsure, or not sufficiently informed on how to convert their research into one or more journal publications. This workshop is therefore suitable for researchers who do not sufficiently understand the basic format/ structure and purpose of a journal paper, or who do not know where to begin with selecting the appropriate journal and applying the correct format to produce a paper
A research strategy within the research design is to plan how to go about answering research questions. In this session the different strategies are introduced with an indication of when it is most appropriate to use based on the nature of the research study.
A research strategy usually has
• A goal: something it can be used for
• A procedure: steps to follow to achieve results
• A set of techniques involved in the procedures The following research strategies will be discussed in this session:
• Survey
• Case study
• Ethnography
• Narrative inquiry
No. Workshop title Description
• Archival research
• Action research
• Experimental
• Grounded theory
• Design research
o Design science research
o Participatory design
o Human-centered design Practice-based research
15. How to Write Quantitative Research?
16. Qualitative Data Analysis: Considerations and Using Atlas.ti
How to Write Quantitative Research workshop introduces participants to the principles and practical steps involved in designing, conducting, and reporting quantitative studies. The session focuses on methodological coherence, data quality, and clear presentation of quantitative evidence.
Course outline:
• Overview of quantitative research and its characteristics
• Using surveys as a quantitative research method
• Designing effective questionnaires and data collection instruments
• Question types, scaling, and wording considerations
• Sampling techniques and sample size considerations
• Data collection procedures and quality control
• Nature of quantitative data and levels of measurement
• Aligning data, analysis, and research questions
• Ethical considerations in survey-based research
The workshop equips postgraduate students and researchers with practical guidance to design sound quantitative studies and write methodologically robust quantitative research reports.
Qualitative Data Analysis workshop explores key considerations in analysing qualitative data and introduces Atlas.ti as a computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS). The session addresses both conceptual and practical challenges faced by novice and experienced researchers when working with rich, interpretive data.
Course outline:
• Nature and characteristics of qualitative data
• Common challenges in qualitative data analysis
• Developing a clear and defensible qualitative analysis plan
• Ensuring rigor: consistency, transparency, and reflexivity
• Managing and reducing researcher bias
• Overview of qualitative analysis approaches (e.g. thematic analysis)
• Introduction to CAQDAS and the role of Atlas.ti
• Organising, coding, and retrieving qualitative data in Atlas.ti
• Interpreting and presenting qualitative findings
• Ethical considerations in qualitative data analysis
The workshop equips postgraduate students and researchers with the conceptual understanding and practical tools needed to conduct systematic, credible, and transparent qualitative data analysis using Atlas.ti.
17. Data analysis (SPSS):
Data Analysis Software – SPSS workshop introduces participants to the use of SPSS for quantitative data analysis. The session focuses on building foundational
No. Workshop title Description
Descriptive Statistics, Data Visualisation, Machine
Learning and Predictive Analytics
18. Data Collection: Fieldwork in Practice
statistical understanding alongside practical, hands-on skills for analysing and interpreting research data.
Course outline:
• Overview of quantitative research methods
• Introduction to basic statistical concepts and methods
• Getting started with SPSS (interface, data view, variable view)
• Data entry, coding, and management in SPSS
• Generating and interpreting descriptive statistics
• Creating graphs and charts using SPSS. (Data visualisation)
• Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests in SPSS
• Interpreting SPSS output and reporting results
The workshop equips postgraduate students and researchers with essential skills to analyse quantitative data confidently and accurately using SPSS.
The Fieldwork in Practice workshop provides practical guidance on planning, conducting, and concluding field-based research while upholding ethical standards and methodological rigour. The session focuses on real-world research contexts and the practical challenges faced during data collection.
Course outline:
• Ethics considerations in fieldwork practice
• Developing a data collection and analysis plan
• Preparing for fieldwork (access, permissions, logistics, and risk management)
• Conducting research in the field (interviews, observations, surveys)
• Managing relationships and researcher positionality
• Exiting the field responsibly and ethically
• Data management, storage, and confidentiality
• Keeping and using field notes effectively
• Disseminating research findings to academic and non-academic audiences
• Identifying and managing challenges in fieldwork practice
The workshop equips postgraduate students and researchers with practical tools to conduct ethical, reflective, and effective fieldwork in diverse research settings.
19. Research Planning and Research Organising
The Research Planning and Research Organising workshop introduces the Professional Development Contract (PDC) as a structured tool to support postgraduate success. The session emphasises planning, self-management, and ownership of the postgraduate journey for Master’s and PhD students.
Course outline:
• Purpose and value of research planning and organisation
• Understanding the Professional Development Contract (PDC)
• Using the PDC to map academic, research, and career goals
• Planning activities across the postgraduate lifecycle
o Master’s (2-year planning horizon)
o PhD (3-year planning horizon)
No. Workshop title Description
• Integrating research milestones, skills development, and personal commitments
• Time management, prioritisation, and progress tracking
• Aligning supervision expectations and responsibilities
• Taking ownership and accountability for postgraduate progress
The workshop equips postgraduate students with practical planning tools to organise their research, manage competing demands, and proactively shape their academic and professional development.
20. Meta-Analysis
21. Thesis Formatting
The Meta-Analysis workshop introduces participants to the principles and procedures of meta-analysis as a statistical approach for synthesising quantitative research findings. The session emphasises methodological rigour, transparency, and appropriate interpretation of results.
Course outline:
• Purpose and value of meta-analysis in research synthesis
• Differences between meta-analysis, systematic reviews, and scoping reviews
• Formulating a focused research question and hypotheses
• Eligibility criteria and study selection
• Effect sizes and data extraction
• Fixed-effect and random-effects models
• Assessing heterogeneity and publication bias
• Interpreting and reporting meta-analytic results
• Reporting standards and transparency (e.g. PRISMA)
• Ethical considerations and common limitations
The workshop equips postgraduate students and researchers with foundational knowledge to understand, conduct, and critically evaluate meta-analyses in their fields.
The Thesis Formatting workshop provides practical guidance on structuring and formatting a thesis in line with institutional and academic standards. The session focuses on consistency, clarity, and efficient use of word-processing tools to produce a professional, submission-ready document.
Course outline:
• General thesis formatting principles and common requirements
• Page margins and document layout
• Paragraph, line spacing, and alignment
• Line, page, and section breaks
• Headers and footers
• Page numbering (preliminary pages and main text)
• Headings, styles, and numbering systems
• Using format painter and formatting styles effectively
• Formatting tables and figures, including captions
• Creating and updating the table of contents
• Common formatting issues, questions, and solutions
The workshop equips postgraduate students with practical skills to format their theses accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with institutional guidelines
No. Workshop title Description
22. Software Tools to Aid Research Writing: AI for Research
Software Tools to Aid Academic Writing workshop introduces participants to digital tools that support planning, writing, editing, and managing academic texts. The session emphasizes efficient workflows, academic integrity, and responsible use of technology in scholarly writing.
Course outline:
• Overview of digital tools for academic writing
• Planning and structuring writing projects
• Reference management tools (e.g. Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote)
• Grammar, style, and language-support tools
• Tools for collaboration, version control, and feedback
• Managing citations and avoiding plagiarism
• Using AI-assisted tools responsibly for writing support
• Integrating writing tools into a sustainable writing workflow
• Limitations, ethics, and best practices
The workshop equips postgraduate students and researchers with practical strategies to enhance writing quality, efficiency, and consistency using appropriate software tools
23. How to Apply for Bursaries?
24. How Do I Find Journals Where CPUT Covers APCs?
Research Funding Applications workshop introduces participants to NRF funding opportunities and the principles of developing competitive grant applications. While specific programmes (e.g. Thuthuka, the Black Academic Advancement Programme, Knowledge Interchange and Collaboration) are used as examples, the focus is on transferable skills applicable across funding instruments.
Course outline:
• Overview of research funding and the NRF funding landscape
• Understanding funding calls, eligibility, and evaluation criteria
• Interpreting application guidelines and assessment rubrics
• Developing a compelling research rationale and objectives
• Aligning research design, methodology, and outcomes with funder priorities
• Budget planning, justification, and value-for-money considerations
• Demonstrating impact, collaboration, and capacity development
• Common pitfalls in funding applications and how to avoid them
• Practical guidance on completing and submitting funding applications
The workshop equips postgraduate students and emerging researchers with the skills to prepare strong, funder-aligned applications across a range of research funding programmes.
Publication Process and APCs workshop introduces participants to the academic publishing landscape, with a specific focus on navigating Article Processing Charges (APCs) and identifying journals where APCs are sponsored or covered by CPUT. The session emphasises informed journal selection, ethical publishing, and cost-effective dissemination of research.
Course outline:
• Overview of the scholarly publication process
• Types of journals: subscription, hybrid, and fully open access
• Understanding Article Processing Charges (APCs)
• CPUT-supported publishing agreements and APC sponsorships
No. Workshop title Description
• How to identify journals with APCs covered by CPUT (publisher agreements, library resources, and databases)
• Assessing journal quality and avoiding predatory publishers
• Copyright, licensing, and open access options
• Submission, peer review, revision, and acceptance processes
• Post-publication visibility and research impact
The workshop equips postgraduate students and researchers with practical knowledge to publish strategically, ethically, and cost-effectively while maximising research visibility and compliance with institutional policies.
25. HDC Digital Training for Students
26. HDC Digital Training for Supervisors
All postgraduate students’ submissions are made using the HDC Digital platform.
This workshop covers:
1. How to log in to HDC Digital and update your profile
2. How to submit a topic
3. How to submit an SSA
4. How to submit your proposal
All postgraduate students’ submissions are made using the HDC Digital platform.
This workshop covers:
1. How to log in and edit your professional profile
2. How to edit/approve submissions made to you.
3. How to nominate a co-supervisor
4. How to submit a progress report
27. Turnitin Training for Postgraduate Students:
28. Turnitin Training for PG Supervisors
The Turnitin Training for Postgraduate Students workshop introduces Turnitin as a learning and writing support tool, rather than a punishment mechanism. The session focuses on helping students understand similarity reports, improve academic writing, and uphold research integrity throughout their postgraduate studies.
Course outline:
• Purpose of Turnitin in postgraduate research
• Understanding similarity reports and similarity percentages
• Distinguishing acceptable similarity from plagiarism
• Interpreting sources, matches, and exclusions correctly
• Using Turnitin feedback to improve research writing
• Managing quotations, paraphrasing, and referencing
• Plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and acceptable reuse of text
• Turnitin, AI-generated content, and institutional policies
• Ethical and responsible use of Turnitin
• Common challenges and practical examples
The workshop equips postgraduate students with the knowledge and skills to use Turnitin confidently to strengthen originality, improve writing quality, and comply with academic integrity requirements.
The Turnitin Training for Postgraduate Supervisors workshop provides supervisors with practical guidance on using Turnitin as a pedagogical and qualityassurance tool rather than a punitive mechanism. The session focuses on
No. Workshop title Description
interpretation, supervision practice, and academic integrity within postgraduate research.
Course outline:
• Purpose of Turnitin in postgraduate supervision
• Understanding similarity reports and similarity percentages
• Distinguishing acceptable similarity from problematic overlap
• Interpreting sources, matches, and exclusions correctly
• Using Turnitin to support formative feedback and research writing development
• Supervisory strategies for addressing high similarity reports
• Plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and acceptable reuse of text
• Turnitin, AI-generated content, and institutional policies
• Ethical use of Turnitin and supervisor responsibilities
• Common challenges and case-based discussions
The workshop equips postgraduate supervisors with the confidence and skills to use Turnitin effectively to uphold research integrity while supporting student development.