1. Professor Liam Marnane Head School of Engineering
Survival Guide
Professor Liam Marnane
Head School of Engineering

2. Starting your research degree: a new start
A completely new form of study
One to one teaching: student-supervisor, but
You are independent
You are in control
You are responsible for your own progress
A class of your own: an exam of your own
Also broader education; courses and training

3. What will you get from postgraduate studies?
Two general classes of benefits:
Specific project-related experience:
Become specialised in certain area of your field
Learn specific research skills etc.
B. Project-independent experience:
Learn skills of ‘research’ (and beyond) which you would not do at undergraduate level, to create a skills base which is recognised as suitable or essential for certain career opportunities

4. Your key partner: your supervisor(s)
Research is generally learned as an apprenticeship, with learning by example, practice, and appropriate feedback
Your supervisor may be your:
Teacher
Advisor
Critic
Collaborator
Supporter
Mentor
Colleague
Counsellor
Friend?

5. Students who do not get on with their supervisors frequently fail!
Develop ground-rules; agree structures that work for you both
Make the most of their support but do not lean too heavily on it
Relationship will go through many phases over the years (initial dependence, weaning, collaboration at the end)
But
It’s your thesis
Responsibility ultimately ends with you
It is your time now and your eventual future
Take ownership and responsibility

6. The problem of focus and priorities
Your Supervisor
Your project
Everything else
You
Your project
Everything else

7. What is research? – some initial thoughts
The bad news
Research can be –
Hard work
Slow
Disappointing
Frustrating
Demanding
The good news
Research is -
Exciting
Rewarding
Satisfying
Stimulating
Rarely boring
The best job in the world!

8. “Research is the process of going up alleys to see if they are blind”
What is research?
“Research is the process of going up alleys to see if they are blind”
Research adds to the store book of human knowledge
Human knowledge is not fixed, it is constantly evolving, changing and being added to
Knowledge is not a collection of facts and information….. It is the sum of the results of the efforts of many, many people over hundreds of years
Roll of the Supervisor:- Rescue you from the blind Alley

9. The two most important elements of research
Investigation/Experimentation
Planning research and reading
Doing your research
Analysing the results of the research
Ensuring the reliability of what you find
Communication
Communicating locally and informally
Communicating globally and formally
Research doesn’t exist without communication
At the end of the day, you have to write and perhaps defend a thesis
Get used to talking about your research (hugely beneficial) and selling it (e.g., at conferences)
Secret of communication: CONSIDER YOUR AUDIENCE

10. Communication Publications Presentations Non-Specialist Audience
Journal
Conference Abstract
Presentations
Seminars
Conference
Non-Specialist Audience
Boolean
Doctoral Showcase

11. Can things go wrong? Things go wrong all the time in research
You can really learn from mistakes – vital part of the process
There has to be uncertainty as to outcomes and risk in research – otherwise it wouldn’t be research
Requirement for originality implies element of risk
The greatest rewards can involve the greatest risks
Be critical at all times

12. Why and how do I write?
Writing transfers your knowledge to the permanent record
Write for your degree (thesis) and write to broadcast your findings to a wider audience
Publications make getting your degree easier
Publications validate your work by peer-review
At your Viva the Examiners will be looking to see does your Thesis contain an acceptable amount of original work which is of publishable standard
Write early, often and well (probably means practice)
Get feedback
Be aware and beware of plagiarism

13. Where do you need to get to?