Developing Research Skills

Developing research skills Planning for your personal development is an integral part of the doctoral journey. As well as a thorough knowledge of your subject, you will need to develop, during the course of your postgraduate studies, a range of skills that equip you to become an independent researcher. As with any journey, you need to define your starting point and where you want to be, in order to plan an efficient route to get there. This tracking tool is desinged to help you through that process by helping you to audit your current skills, identify the skills you need to develop and devise a workable plan to do so. The UK Research Councils play an important role in setting standards and identifying the skills doctoral research students are expected to achieve during their research training. In the 'Joint Statement of the UK Research Councils' Training Requirements for Research Students', seven key skill areas are defined: A. B. C. D. E. F. G.

Research skills and techniques Knowledge and understanding of the research environment Research management Personal effectiveness Communication skills Networking and teamworking Career management

Within each of the above areas, the skills postgraduate researchers are expected to develop are identified. These are detailed below (see statements A1 to G4). Accompanying each statement are more specific indicators of what this really means in practice. It is useful to assess your own competence in each skill area at different stages of the doctoral journey, and to plan consciously to progress and develop. Taking control of your own development is in itself a key skill in research and career management. You might find it useful to score yourself from time to time on a 1-5 scale against each of the competence statements, i.e., 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

I I I I I

am not at all skilled in this have a little skill in this. have some competence in this but need to improve have some competence in this but need to improve am an expert in this and could train others in it.

(adapted with thanks from the work by the Universities of Cardiff, Manchester and Leeds).

(A) Research Skills and Techniques - to be able to demonstrate: 1.the ability to recognise and validate problems You need to be able to: • • •

demonstrate your awareness of existing theory and research relevant to your topic. identify where the gaps in knowledge are and the areas in which investigation might produce new knowledge. define an original research problem and show your awareness of how this contributes something new to existing knowledge.

2.original, independent and critical thinking, and the ability to develop theoretical concepts You need to be able to: • •

define research questions or formulate hypotheses on which to base your research project. use new and innovative research ideas and strategies in your work.

3.a knowledge of recent advances within one's field and in related areas You need to be able to: • • • •

keep up to date with the latest publications relevant to your area. use a range of bibliographic and virtual sources to search effectively for information. manage collected information so that it can be retrieved and cited appropriately. communicate knowledgeably about your research area and discuss concepts in a scholarly way with academic colleagues.

4.an understanding of relevant research methodologies and techniques and their appropriate application within one's research field You need to be able to: • • •

show your understanding of what constitutes 'high quality' academic research in your field. demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of appropriate research techniques and their application. discuss and prioritise a range of methodologies to address a research question.

5.the ability to critically analyse and evaluate one's findings and those of others

You need to be able to: • • • • •

acknowledge objectively the weaknesses and assumptions in your findings. apply the same objectivity to the work of others. write a literature review of publishable standard on your topic. demonstrate your understanding of appropriate methods for testing conjectures or tentative conclusions. use IT as a tool to support your work in data collection, analysis and presentation in an appropriate graphical form.

6.an ability to summarise, document, report and reflect on progress You need to be able to: • • • •

criticise your own work objectively and define future work. maintain and use a research log or record of research activity commensurate with best practice from your discipline. produce written summaries and progress reports of varying lengths as suits the purpose, and to an appropriate professional standard. review your own work regularly to determine that it is of sufficient originality, quality and quantity to merit the award of a doctorate.

Additional College/Department statetments

B) Research Environment - to be able to: 1.show a broad understanding of the context, at the national and international level, in which research takes place You need to be able to: •

explain how research in your field is organised nationally (and to some extent internationally) in terms of institutions and centres, congresses, societies and publications as appropriate to your discipline.

2.demonstrate awareness of issues relating to the rights of other researchers, of research subjects, and of others who may be affected by the research, e.g. confidentiality, ethical issues, attribution, copyright, malpractice, ownership of data and the requirements of the Data Protection Act You need to be aware of:

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the guidance offered to researchers at a national level (as appropriate to your discipline) concerning ethical issues and ethical research practice in your discipline. the University of Leicester rules and regulations relating to academic misconduct (and particularly plagiarism). the University guidelines on intellectual property, copyright and ownership of research.

3.demonstrate appreciation of standards of good research practice in their institution and/or discipline • You need to demonstrate a full understanding of any relevant University guidelines on research practice (e.g., ethical practice) and any statutory regulatory requirements in your subject area. 4.understand relevant health and safety issues and demonstrate responsible working practices • You should be competent in working with any relevant health and safety regulations. 5.understand the processes for funding and evaluation of research You need to be aware of: • •

how research is funded within your own discipline and the mechanisms by which funding might be sought to continue your current research. how large and small-scale research proposals within your discipline are evaluated.

6.justify the principles and experimental techniques used in one's own research You need to be able to: • •

demonstrate a good knowledge of competing techniques and approaches in your suject area and their relative strengths and weaknesses. justify and defend the decisions that underpin your own research direction and methods.

7.understand the process of academic or commercial exploitation of research results You need to show: •

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an understanding of both procedures for submission and evaluation of research by journals and publishers and be able to prepare research results for submission. your awareness of the major conferences in your research area. your awareness of the various University facilities and support for exploitation of research.

Additional College/Department statetments

(C) Research Management - to be able to: 1. apply effective project management through the setting of research goals, intermediate milestones and prioritisation of activities You need to be able to: • • •

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plan, organise and evaluate a research programme. execute a research programme which follows a designated schedule to produce a finished thesis within the funded period. set and prioritise a number of intermediate goals within an individual research project and to develop an effective strategy and timetable for meeting them. make plans and balance competing demands on time effectively.

2. design and execute systems for the acquisition and collation of information through the effective use of appropriate resources and equipment You need to be able to: • • •

collect and record information in an organised and professional way. use data-collection and analysis software competently. conduct searches using appropriate online and offline resources.

3. identify and access appropriate bibliographical resources, archives, and other sources of relevant information You need to be able to: • •

demonstrate an excellent awareness of potential sources of relevant information for your subject area. reference appropriate sources (books, articles, websites, interviews and quotations) accurately, and use a variety of referencing styles and systems.

4. use information technology appropriately for database management, recording and presenting information You need to be able to: •

establish a bibliography at the level expected for scholarly publication and keep it up to date through searches and electronic sources.

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use appropriate software to prepare extensive documents with any relevant special features, such as use of master documents and templates or embedding of charts, figures and images.

Additional College/Department statetments

(D) Personal Effectiveness - to be able to: 1.demonstrate a willingness and ability to learn and acquire knowledge You need to: •

be able to identify and exploit sources of information or instruction on a new area.

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be fully committed to and engaged in undertaking a meaninfgful research-specific and transferable skills development programme.

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show evidence of your excellent rate of attendance at seminars, meetings workshops and conferences.

2.be creative, innovative and original in one's approach to research You need to be able to: • • •

generate new ideas and approaches. develop new methodologies as required. find and implement solutions to difficult problems.

3.demonstrate flexibility and open-mindedness You need to be: • •

able to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of your own approach, and willing to complement it by an engagement with other approaches. fully aware of all of the means of exploiting intellectual property and have considered the scope of knowledge transfer and entrepreneurial activity in relation to your research.

4.demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to identify own training needs You need to be able to: • • •

evaluate a wide range of personal skills. evaluate your training needs in the light of this and the requirements of your research project. develop a coherent plan for future training.

5.demonstrate self-discipline, motivation, and thoroughness You need to be able to: • •

work to a professional level without supervision. demonstrate high levels of accuracy, organisation and attention to detail.

6.recognise boundaries and draw upon/use sources of support as appropriate

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You need to be able to consider with objectivity gaps in knowledge, understanding or ability, and be aware of possible sources of support such as the skills of colleagues.

7.show initiative, work independently and be self-reliant You need to be able to: • •

make and execute substantial research plans with guidance necessary only for specialist issues. provide evidence of 'academic independence' to colleagues and peers.

Additional College/Department statetments

E) Communication Skills - to be able to: 1. write clearly and in a style appropriate to purpose, e.g. progress reports, published documents, thesis You need to be able to: • • •

produce a wll-structured and wll-written report of substantial length. write concise, academic prose and express ideas with suitable clarity. demonstrate your mastery and control when writing a variety of types of research documents and in a variety of written styles.

2. construct coherent arguments and articulate ideas clearly to a range of audiences, formally and informally through a variety of techniques You need to be able to: • • •

communicate your own research orally, with proficiency and confidence. explain your own research at a range of levels. produce well constructed, clear presentations and use audiovisual aids where appropriate (slides, PowerPoint etc). • provide feedback around your own research subject of the kind expected in referees' reports for journals and publsihers and to respond to such feedback. 3. constructively defend research outcomes at seminars and viva examination You need to be able to: •

present your academic work at seminars and conferences fluently and confidently, and able to respond clearly and persuasively to questions and comments at such occasions.

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defend your own work confidently in meetings, at transfer, during academic interviews and during the viva.

4. contribute to promoting the public understanding of one's research field • You need to be able to write and present research in an appropriate manner for specialist or lay audiences, and be understood. 5. effectively support the learning of others when involved in teaching, mentoring or demonstrating activities You need to: • •

demonstrate an ability to facilitate the learning of others and to impart information effectively. have an understanding of a range of appropriate techniques for supporting the learning of others.

Additional College/Department statetments

(F) Networking and Teamworking - to be able to: 1. develop and maintain co-operative networks and working relationships with supervisors, colleagues and peers, within the institution and the wider research community You need to: • •

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attend conferences and meetings regularly and show your awareness of other researchers in your own and related fields. build and maintain co-operative networks and working relationships with your supervisor(s), colleagues and peers within the University and the wider research community. be aware of and subscribe to appropriate virtual networks and sources of support such as VITAE and virtual subject specific networks).

2. understand one's behaviours and impact on others when working in and contributing to the success of formal and informal teams You need to: • •

be aware of the impact that your own behaviours and actions have when building a healthy working relationship with your supervisor(s). understand your own behaviour and your own impact on others when working in and contiributing to the success of formal and informal teams.

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be able to work in teams (both inside and outside of academia) on complex projects. • be able to reflect on the quality of such team work and to solve problems as they arise. • be aware of all the stakeholders in your work, and consider and act upon the best ways of interacting with them. 3. listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others You need to be: • •

aware of techniques of giving and receiving feedback effectively. able to listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others.

Additional College/Department statetments

(G) Career Management - to be able to: 1. appreciate the need for and show commitment to continued professional development You need to: • • • •

be an active member of an appropriate professional institution or body. regularly attend any appropriate departmental, school, faculty or University seminars and research meetings. take some role in facilitating or organising seminars and research meetings, or some other form of administrative responsibility. have ownership of, update and regularly review a skills development plan.

2. take ownership for and manage one's career progression, set realistic and achievable career goals, and identify and develop ways to improve employability You need to: • • •

be aware of potential employers, general recruitment practices and effective job hunting techniques. consider your own career direction post-PhD and set realistic and achievable career goals. identify ways to improve your employability and act upon them.

3. demonstrate an insight into the transferable nature of research skills to other work environments and the range of career opportunities within and outside academia

You need to: •

be aware of the range of career opportunities within and outside academia. • be fully able to demonstrate the transferable nature of research skills to other work environments. • be aware of potential career paths stemming from the generic apsects of a PhD, including research techniques, project planning and communication skills. 4. present one's skills, personal attributes and experiences through effective CVs, applications and interviews. You need to: •

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have a broad knowledge of types of CVs, interview techniques and standard questions and recruitment techniques such as psychometric testing. be able to create a targeted CV which effectively presents your skills, attibutes and experiences. be able to present your skills, attributes and expereinces effectively in a job interview situation.

Additional College/Department statetments