Dear PhD Lab, I won’t be in Scotland this coming week, so would propose to start our PhD Lab in two weeks (week starting 27th January). We also have to find a new time slot. Once I have an overview of supervisor availability (which is typically the bigger bottleneck), I will send a doodle around for you to fill in. Hopefully we will find one or two time slots that work for everyone (we may want to alternate between two days again if no clear winner emerges – especially since there are now two PhD labs going forward). In the meantime, I wanted to make you aware of the following resources I recently learned about (hat tip to Kevin Grant, our Dean): ++++++++++ The Elsevier Research Academy have produced a series of videos and modules that tackle some important PhD tasks. Go check it out. Registration is free. (The links go via LinkedIn and should then redirect to Elsevier…worked for me.) 1. How to Craft a Literature Review (60-Minute Video) What do reviewers expect in a literature review? Strategies to plan and write an adequate review. Dispelling common misconceptions about literature reviews. Access here: Lin https://lnkd.in/gcG7mxrc<https://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=htt… 2. How to Identify Research Gaps (12-Minute Video) Understanding the concept of a research gap. A step-by-step guide to identifying research gaps. Tools to assist in finding research gaps. Access here: Link https://lnkd.in/gvxgD95D<https://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=htt… 3. Conducting Evidence-Based Research (38-Minute Video) Introduction to evidence-based research. A stepwise methodology for conducting such research would be helpful. Tips for improving the reliability of your research findings. Access here: Linkhttps://lnkd.in/gMUxXybm<https://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url… 4. Finding Relevant Research Papers (15-Minute Video) How to perform basic searches effectively. Setting up alerts and saving searches. Techniques to download and export search results. Access here: Link https://lnkd.in/gKXauFHr<https://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=htt… 5. Writing an Abstract (40-Minute Video) Importance of a compelling abstract. Ideal length and structure of an abstract. Key elements to include for maximum impact. Access here: Link https://lnkd.in/g9drbDZF<https://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=htt… 6. Securing Research Funding (60-Minute Video) Crafting a winning grant application. What funders prioritise in applications. Practical tips to enhance your chances of success. Access here: Link https://lnkd.in/g-diuMPv<https://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=htt… 7. Using Generative AI in Research (53-Minute Video) How Generative AI reshapes research processes. Leveraging the Scopus AI search tool. Insights into the future of AI in research. Access here: Link https://lnkd.in/gepXEzBf<https://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=htt… 8. Author Policies on Generative AI (11-Minute Video) Ethical considerations related to Generative AI. Opportunities provided by AI in research. Potential risks and challenges to address. Access here: Link https://lnkd.in/gT4Xg7yP<https://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=htt… 9. Writing a Cover Letter for Your Manuscript (8-Minute Video) Importance of a well-written cover letter. Steps to craft a compelling cover letter. Essential elements to include. Access here: Link https://lnkd.in/gFA_pNkD<https://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=htt… 10. Responding to Reviewers’ Comments (37-Minute Video) How to interpret and understand reviewers’ feedback. Writing effective responses to comments. Strategies to boost the likelihood of paper acceptance. Access here: Link<Linkhttps://lnkd.in/gcG7mxrc>https://lnkd.in/gcG7mxrc<Linkhttps://lnkd.in/gcG7mxrc> ++++++++++ Best wishes, Till ________________________________ Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159