Pathways to Graduate Research

Abstract

Graduate research should not be viewed narrowly as an academic course. It is also an important aspect of university research. Australian universities tend to share a common pathway to graduate research, which consists of a range of research-orientated courses from undergraduate to postgraduate levels. It has been pointed out that there should be alternative ways to acculturate students into an academic research discourse. Apart from the common pathway to graduate research, it is important to have an alternative for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students to progress to research. It is constructive to promote research awareness, research skills, and research networking for students currently studying in undergraduate courses. The initial stage of a graduate research life can be a mixture of excitement, inspiration and worry. Graduate research students need an educational environment in which they are encouraged to develop their research profiles and research networking to enhance their research progress, interpersonal interaction, and future employment.