Doctoral Training Workshops An interdepartmental programme organised by MCT for the Research Careers Development Team Organised by Sue Oreszczyn, Dave Scott and JuliusMugwagwa Secretary: Wendy Morgan

Doctoral Training Workshops For PhD and Research Masters research students (non- Science emphasis) Run at Walton Hall for FT students, but timing/scheduling to accommodate P/T students too and we are working on distant access Workshops based around U501 training book plus additional sessions Built around key tasks you do in your first year, (particularly MRes dissertation and PhD probation report) Helps build contacts with other students

Sessions Nature of a Research Degree Project Planning Literature Reviewing Writing tasks, critical reading and literacy skills Building up research support Ethical issues in research Some specific methods Interviewing skills Presentation skills Viva preparation (MRes and PhD) Rooms vary (providing an opportunity to explore the campus!!)

Student Conference Sessions in April/May on preparing a conference presentation Student conference on May 12th and 13 th where you present your research plan (links to PhD probation year report for and dissertation plan for MRes students) Training Workshops Website will be kept updated and s on each session sent to those who attend

Getting Going Draws on materials from Chapter 2 of DPGR In groups consider: –What did you do before last week? –In 30 seconds … what is your topic area –Why are you doing a PhD or MRes? –What will you do with it? –What will you be able to do that you could not do before?

Essential and Supporting Reasons EssentialSupporting How would you classify your own reasons for doing a research degree??? Don’t forget all this!!! Section 2.1 of DPGR (particularly pp22-25)

What will the examiner be looking for? Key planning point A training demonstrated by a written work that shows: Good style and presentation Proficiency in Research Methods Initiative and independence of thought (Masters) Significant (distinct) contribution to knowledge Material worthy of publication (PhD) Able to pursue further research without supervision (PhD) Able to argue and discuss research (PhD Viva)

Originality (‘contribution to knowledge’) A new product (but need to show research process that led to it) New data (again need to show research process) New Theory Applying existing theory to a new field A new model or perspective A new research tool or method An original critique Developing new generalisable conclusions from existing data Original work within a larger predetermined programme Pages of DPGR

My Originality In your groups, share in what way do you expect your research to be original? Note: what is accepted and is ‘mainstream’ originality can vary by subject area (any other way than covered in the previous slide???)

Proficiency in Research Methods What is the difference between ‘Method’ and ‘Methodology’? Not just demonstrating how you did your research (Method) But WHY you conducted the research using your chosen method (Methodology) The latter is expected both for Masters and PhD (but is often missing) In some area methods are predetermined – but still show awareness

Strategic things to sort… In a PhD you need to: Have developed a command of your subject Know where you can make a useful contribution Know what methods to use (and not to use) You make that contribution Communicate results effectively

Website support Other aspects of Getting Going (Training needs analysis, safe computer use and other Health and Safety aspects) are also covered in Chapter 2 of DPGR Web materials on this are on the Virtual Research Environment website MRes Students have their own website support. Other support from the Research Career Development Team (Lots of events) OU club (you will need a break from academic work)

For Next Week Project planning: what I want to do … and how I might start Later… We have lunch! 2.00: Endnote Training in Library 5.00 Happy Hour in Pavillion Bar