Research writing

Research writing

Guidance for researchers and PhD candidates on how to develop their research writing skills.

Research writing encompasses many forms of writing, for many audiences. While there are disciplinary differences, writing to disseminate research and make an impact follows many well-established conventions and practices. We work with researchers and PhD candidates to develop their research writing skills. We can work with you on:

  • Planning your writing project:
    • Managing your research
    • Developing research questions
    • Outlining your thesis structure
  • Writing for different audiences:
    • Using an academic writing style
    • Writing for a wider audience
    • Writing in different disciplines
  • Writing for different stages of the research cycle:
    • Research proposals and Confirmation of Candidature documents
    • Thesis sections and chapters (abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion)
    • Publications (journal articles, review papers, systematic reviews)
    • Research statements for Non-Traditional Research Outputs (NTROs) as part of ERA reporting.
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Here are some guides to get you started:

Creative and practice-based research

Resources and techniques used for searching the literature and writing for creative and practice-based research.

Creative research guide

Literature reviews

How to start a literature review, including searching the literature and writing the review.

Literature reviews guide

Strategic publishing

How to apply strategic measures when considering publishing, promoting and tracking your research.

Strategic publishing guide

Research and Writing Skills for Academic and Graduate Researchers modules

These modules are for academic and higher degree researchers who want to develop and extend the skills required in the contemporary research environment.

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Becoming a research writer

This online module looks at ways research writers use premises and claims to build arguments. Also covered is the significance of thesis statements and how to position your own work by identifying gaps in the field.

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Developing an effective research proposal

This online module provides key information, strategies, and resources for developing an effective research proposal.

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Writing your literature review

This module describes a literature review, and outlines the steps in writing, structuring and styling the review. It also covers the techniques for note-taking and writing an annotated bibliography.

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Managing yourself and your research

The module provides strategies and resources to develop fundamental skills in time management, goal setting, research planning, cultivating supervisory relationships and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Strategic publishing workshops

We offer an individual advice as well as tailored workshops for groups that cover any of the following topics:

  • Collaboration: Identify potential research collaborators, at a broad institutional level and at a specific researcher level, using benchmarking and research tools such as SciVal and InCites.  
  • Planning: Develop a publication plan to identify relevant high-quality publication sources based on your target audience and publishing objectives.
  • Writing and submission: Use strategies and practical tools for generating a writing focus, developing your voice, and tailoring your writing to the style of the publication. Tips on navigating submission, revision, and publication processes. 
  • Promotion and discovery: Share, promote and track your research and publications using different discoverability tools  (such as researcher profiles and social media) and open access.

Research writing for HDR research methods courses

Academic Skills Advisors offer workshops for Research Methods courses on the following topics:

  • Writing different text types (research proposals, confirmation of candidature, thesis, journal articles)
  • Writing different thesis sections and chapters (abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion)
  • Thesis writing and academic writing style (structuring your ideas, writing with authority, developing voice)
  • Preparing for academic publication (including writing journal articles and strategic publishing).
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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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