From Spark to Submission: A Research Journey. An online seminar series for PhD students
The series will run over three consecutive days, July 23–25, 2025. Each day’s sessions begin at 10:00 AM and conclude at 2:00 PM (Italy time) — that’s 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Pakistan.
Organizers & Speaker:
This program is organized by the PhD Course in “Law and Economics” at the University of Molise, Italy, and hosted by Prof. Dr. Francesca Di Virgilio. Our speaker is Dr. M. Waseem Bari (Associate Professor) of Lyallpur Business School at Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Participants:
PhD students across disciplines are warmly invited to engage with hands-on, interactive sessions designed to take research from its earliest spark through to successful submission.
Link online https://meet.google.com/oom-pdrr-uyj
Day 1 (July 23): Crafting Innovative Research Ideas
On the first morning, Dr. Bari will introduce the concept of research innovation, emphasizing why fresh and original ideas are the cornerstone of impactful scholarship. Participants will explore a range of brainstorming and idea‑generation techniques, then immediately put them into practice through group activities. Real-world case studies of innovative research projects will illustrate how ideas evolve into structured inquiries. After a break for lunch, the afternoon session will focus on translating these ideas into precise research questions. You’ll learn how to align your questions with emerging trends and gaps in the literature, and you’ll be shown advanced AI-powered tools to streamline both idea generation and literature management.
Day 2 (July 24): Writing an Effective Literature Review
The second day begins with an in-depth look at the purpose and structure of a literature review. You’ll discover best practices for identifying key academic sources and learn to navigate major databases efficiently. A live demonstration of Qiqqa software will show you how AI can supercharge your literature searches and keep your references perfectly organized. In the afternoon, Dr. Bari will guide you through techniques for summarizing and synthesizing research findings in a cohesive narrative, while highlighting common pitfalls to avoid. The session concludes with hands-on exercises using literature‑review tools, followed by peer discussion and feedback to reinforce your new skills.
Day 3 (July 25): Methodology and Publication Strategies
On our final day, we’ll start by unpacking the critical role that research design and methodology play in producing credible results. You’ll examine different research designs and get an introduction to SmartPLS‑4, a leading AI-driven platform for planning and analyzing complex methodologies. After the lunch break, the afternoon session shifts into a detailed, practical walkthrough of SmartPLS‑4 using sample data. We’ll then turn to publication strategies, discussing how to choose the right journals, understand impact factors, and prepare manuscripts that meet high‑impact standards. The day wraps up with an interactive workshop, a Q&A segment for your specific queries, and tips on building research networks and collaborations that will sustain your scholarly journey.
Software & Tools Used: Qiqqa · Mendeley · SmartPLS‑4 · Various AI Research Tools
· Qiqqa: Transforms your PDF library into interactive mind‑maps, automatically tagging and highlighting key insights.
· Mendeley: Syncs your reference library across devices, simplifies collaborative annotation, and integrates seamlessly with word processors for effortless citation management.
· SmartPLS‑4: Offers intuitive drag-and-drop structural equation modeling with instant bootstrapping and validation results.
· AI Brainstorming & Trend‑Analysis Tools: Help you craft incisive research questions and outline manuscripts.
· Integrated Workflow: These platforms streamline every phase of your research journey, freeing you to focus on deep analysis and impactful writing.
