Grace A. John-Ugwuanya, PhD

HOW TO WRITE A RESEARCH STATEMENT AS A BS GRADUATE Most BS Graduates fail to secure fully funded positions that require the submission of Research Statement. They tend to believe that as young Graduates with just a BS, it is impossible to have a research statement. Well, that is correct. BS graduates have research experiences from their final year project work. From that project, they can craft out a winning Research Statement. How they need is to understand the composite of a research statement and what it is about. This piece, teaches just that. A research statement is a document that outlines a researcher's interests, goals, and plans for conducting research. It typically includes an overview of the researcher's background and training, a summary of their research experience, and an outline of their current and future research projects. The purpose of a research statement is to provide a clear and concise explanation of the researcher's research program and to demonstrate their expertise in a particular field. The components of a research statement may vary depending on the discipline, but generally, it should include the following: 1. Introduction: A brief introduction that provides an overview of the researcher's background and research interests. 2. Research experience: A summary of the researcher's previous research experience, including any publications or presentations. 3. Research question: A clear and concise statement of the research question(s) that the researcher is trying to answer. 4. Objectives: A description of the specific objectives of the research and how they will be achieved. 5. Methodology: A detailed description of the methods that will be used to conduct the research, including data collection and analysis. 6. Significance: A discussion of the significance of the research and its potential impact on the field. 7. Future directions: A summary of the researcher's plans for future research, including any potential collaborations or grant proposals. See a sample attached. Leave a comment. I cherish your feedback on this. Ask questions to get clarification also. Don't forget to share this. #future #experience #phd #bsc

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🔎 “Do research on your supervisor before you do your research.” One of the most overlooked steps in the postgraduate journey is understanding your supervisor before you dive into your dissertation or thesis. Your supervisor is not just an academic figure; they are your guide, critic, advocate, and sometimes your biggest academic influence. The relationship you build with them can shape your entire research experience. Here are 30 practical ways to research your supervisor before you start your own research: ✅ Academic & Research Background 1. Read their most cited papers. 2. Explore their recent publications. 3. Review their grant-funded projects. 4. Look up their postgraduate supervision history. 5. Read their PhD thesis if available. 6. Investigate their co-authorship networks. 7. Follow their academic profiles (Google Scholar, ORCID, Scopus, ResearchGate). ✅ Institutional Roles 8. Understand their university title and responsibilities. 9. Explore their administrative and leadership roles. 10. Check for affiliations with research centres or institutes. 11. Look for external examining or peer review roles. 12. Investigate honorary or visiting professorships. ✅ Public Presence & Thought Leadership 13. Watch their keynote speeches or webinars. 14. Listen to interviews or podcasts they’ve been part of. 15. Read their blogs or opinion pieces. 16. Follow their updates on LinkedIn or Twitter/X. 17. Look for YouTube talks or media features. ✅ Teaching & Supervision Style 18. Talk to their current/former students. 19. Ask about their teaching/supervision feedback (if accessible). 20. Check which courses they teach. 21. Review any posted supervision guidelines. 22. Look through theses/dissertations they've supervised. ✅ Working Style & Preferences 23. Observe how they engage in meetings or seminars. 24. Notice their communication and feedback turnaround. 25. Assess whether they prefer theoretical or applied work. 26. Understand their level of involvement — hands-on or hands-off? ✅ Strategic Fit 27. Align your research interests with theirs. 28. Link to any institutional research priorities they lead or support. 29. Understand their publication style and expectations. 30. Reflect on their research philosophy or supervision ethos. 🎓 Choosing the right supervisor is not just about research alignment — it’s about expectations, communication, and long-term mentorship. Would you add anything to the list? Let’s help our next generation of researchers start strong. 💬👇 Wits Postgraduate Association | A Survival Guide For Every Postgraduate Journey

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Earlier this month, Dr Olusola Ayoola and I spoke at the 9th Unibadan conference of Biomedical research with the theme "AI in Translational Biomedical research, teaching and Clinical practice: opportunities and challenges." Our plenary session focused on AI in disease diagnosis abd treatment. It was an interesting session as Dr Olusola Ayoola started the session with the introduction to AI and machine learning while I wrapped it up with the types of data available in the health sector, the examples of AI in diagnostics and treatment and most importantly, ethical concerns in the use of AI in the health sector. At the end of the presentations, the Q and A session was really engaging, showing the participants grapsed the key takeaways, this was really fulfilling.

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Understanding the Types of Literature Review in Research When writing a thesis, dissertation, or research paper, one of the most critical steps is conducting a literature review. It not only strengthens the foundation of your work but also positions your study within the broader academic conversation. This infographic breaks down five key types of literature reviews every researcher should know: 🔹 Argumentative Review Critically analyzes past studies to support or challenge established arguments, helping to build a strong research position. 🔹 Integrative Review Synthesizes diverse sources of information to create a holistic understanding, often leading to new perspectives for your thesis. 🔹 Historical Review Traces the evolution of ideas and debates over time, placing your topic within its historical and developmental context. 🔹 Systematic Review A structured, highly organized approach to reviewing research. Often involves Meta-Analysis (statistical synthesis) and Meta-Synthesis (thematic integration). 🔹 Theoretical Review Explores and evaluates existing theories, frameworks, and models to guide research questions and provide conceptual grounding. A well-crafted literature review does more than summarize past work—it critically engages with existing knowledge, identifies gaps, and sets the stage for meaningful contributions. Whether you’re a student, early-career researcher, or academic professional, mastering these review types can significantly enhance the quality and impact of your research. #Research #Academia #HigherEducation #LiteratureReview #PhD #ThesisWriting #ResearchMethodology #AcademicWriting

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🎓 PhD in Ireland 2025 | Fully Funded Scholarships & Admission Process Ireland is opening doors for international researchers with fully funded PhD opportunities in 2025. This exclusive guide covers: ✅ Top Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland ✅ Complete Step-by-Step Admission Process ✅ How International Students Can Study in Ireland Free ✅ Expert Tips to Strengthen Your Application 👉 Access the full guide here: https://lnkd.in/enmBhvwT If you are planning your PhD journey for 2025, this is the perfect roadmap to get started. 💬 Share your field of interest in the comments — I’ll guide you with the best opportunities available. #Ireland #PhD2025 #Scholarships #StudyAbroad #HigherEducation #ResearchOpportunities #FullyFunded

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How to write Literature Review Step-by-Step Guide 1. Define Your Research Question Purpose: Set a clear direction for your review. How: Clearly state what you want to study. Make sure the question is focused and researchable. It helps you stay on track and choose relevant studies. 2. Develop a Search Strategy Purpose: Plan how to find the right sources. How: Choose the best databases for your topic. Pick keywords and use search operators (AND, OR). Set rules for what to include or exclude. Record your process for transparency. 3. Conduct the Literature Search Purpose: Find all relevant studies. How: Search using your keywords and filters. Use tools like Zotero or EndNote to save results. Download full articles and note where you found them. 4. Screen and Select Relevant Studies Purpose: Choose only high-quality, useful studies. How: Read titles and summaries to decide relevance. Remove those that don’t meet your criteria. Use tools like PRISMA to track your selection steps. 5. Extract and Organize Data Purpose: Collect important information from each study. How: Record author, method, and findings. Use spreadsheets or software to sort and manage data. Look for patterns or repeated ideas. 6. Critically Appraise the Literature Purpose: Judge the quality of the studies. How: Check for sound methods and trustworthiness. Spot any biases or weak points. Compare results to see consistency or disagreement. 7. Synthesize the Findings Purpose: Bring everything together clearly. How: Group similar studies or themes. Create a story or summary that connects the research. Use visuals (charts, tables) to explain patterns. 8. Write the Literature Review Purpose: Present what you found. How: Start with the background and goal. Organize findings by time, theme, or method. Show gaps and your contribution. End with conclusions and suggestions. 9. Revise and Edit Purpose: Improve the quality of your writing. How: Check clarity and structure. Make sure sources are cited correctly. Get feedback and correct grammar or style. 10. Update Regularly Purpose: Keep your review current. How: Stay updated on new studies. Add recent findings when needed. Keep your review flexible for changes.

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