Higher Degree by Research

Student Handbook 2016-2017

HIGHER DEGREE BY RESEARCH
Student Handbook

2016-2017

CONTENTS

Page

Welcome to the Centre of Lifelong Learning3

Useful addresses and contact details 5

Term Time Dates6

Research Training for M.Phil/PhD 7

a)What is Doctoral Training Centre8

b)DTC Teaching Programme9

c)How to be an Effective Researcher at the University of Warwick

An Introduction to the Research Student Skills Programme10

d)ePortfolio11

Progressing through the research degree process12

Provision of Facilities and Support for Research Students13

Research Student Presentation Seminars Details16

Code of Practice for the Supervision of Research Students17

Notes on the citation of references/referencing books on kindle20

Research Supervision Record of Progress Form25

Annual Review Outline and Form26

Upgrade Review Form & Ethical Approval Form32

Important Additional Information and Useful Links49

Monitoring attendance and progression50

A Warm welcome to the Centre for Lifelong Learning from the Director, Fergus McKay.

We would like to welcome you to the Centre for Lifelong Learning. We hope that the time you spend with the Centre in the coming years will be stimulating, enjoyable and successful. We aim to work with you in ways that support and build your involvement in research and your contribution to the academic community.

As post-graduates in the Centre for Lifelong Learning, you will have various supports throughout the period of your study. These include your individual supervisors, Director of Graduate Studies, Dr Barbara Merrill, and Sam Hundal, Programme Co-ordinator and at the University level the Graduate School has various supports in place, information on these can be found at:

Our contact details are:

Fergus Mckay
Director of the Centre for Lifelong Learning
T: 024 7652 4148
Email:
Dr Khursheed Wadia
Admissions Tutor
T: 024 7652 3970
Email: / Dr Barbara Merrill
Director of Graduate Studies
T: 024 7657 4180
Email:
Sam Hundal
Programme Co-ordinator
T: 024 7657 4136
Email:

Other sources of support available for you within the Centre for Lifelong Learning include the following:

  • Student PhD Presentation Seminar Series
  • Staff/Student Liaison Committee

Meets once a termwhich allows a forum for discussing any issues of concern.

  • Other Students – you will have a list of other student’s names, topics and e-mails and this will be posted up in the postgraduate students’ rooms in the School. The School has a web-forum for students and a Facebook group.
  • Student mentors – some of the students in their second and third years are available to offer support to students in their first year. We try to allocate a mentor for each overseas student in particular with another overseas student who is further on and well settled.
  • In addition, there are other staff members in the Centre who you can meet with if you and your supervisors feel it would be appropriate.
  • Within the Faculty, the ESRC Doctoral Training Centre provides 1st year PhD training for all Social Science PhD students. ContactLila Tennent, Centre Administrator, email: / .
  • Within the wider university, there is support from the Graduate School, the Senior Tutorand Counselling Service and the staff who will teach you during your research training. There are details about these in this handbook.

We hope you will find the years you spend with us stimulating and happy.

Best wishes, Fergus McKay

Useful addresses/contacts for PGR Students in the Centre for Lifelong Learning

Graduate School Office

University House

University of Warwick

Coventry CV4 7AL

Tel: +44 (0)24 7652 4585

Fax: +44 (0)24 7652 4586

Email:

Webpage:

ESRC Doctoral Training Centre

Doctoral Training Centre

Lila Tennent

Tel: +44 (0)24 7657 5122

Email:

DTC Email:

Webpage:

International Office

University House

University of Warwick

Tel: +44 (0)24 7652 3706

Email:

Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Polaris House

North Star Avenue

Swindon SN2 1JU

Tel: +44 (0)1793 413000

Web:

Useful Information for New and Continuing Students

Term Dates

2016/2017

Autumn Term Monday 3 October 2016 – Saturday 10 December 2016
Spring Term Monday 9 January 2017 – Saturday 18 March 2017
Summer Term Monday 24 April 2017 – Saturday 1 July 2017

2017/2018

Autumn Term Monday 2 October 2017 – Saturday 9 December 2017
Spring Term Monday 8 January 2018 – Saturday 17 March 2018
Summer Term Monday 23 April 2018 – Saturday 30 June 2018

Research Training For MPhil/ PhD Students

Students registering for an MPhil or PhD come to the University with different academic and professional backgrounds. The general research training recommended is set out below but is subject to modification depending on the needs and previous academic training of the research student. The first year PhD research training takes place through the Faculty of Social Science ESRC Doctoral Training Centre.

Students should discuss their research training needs with their supervisors, during the first week of term. Some elements are required and others recommended. Exemption from a recommended or required course involves the supervisor making a case in writing to the Director of Graduate Studies.

All first year PhD students may undertake PhD research training through the DTC.

What is a DTC?

In 2009, the ESRC introduced a new Postgraduate Training Framework which funnels its training into 21 Doctoral Training Centres (DTC) composed of 46 universities. The University of Warwick is not part of an consortia but has gained recognition in its own right as a DTC with an annual quota of 27 studentships.

The new training framework is intended to provide greater flexibility to institutions and to encourage interdisciplinary training and research. In order to be recognised as a DTC, institutions must submit a proposal to the ESRC for specific training pathways, which can be based on single disciplines or on interdisciplinary themes. Warwick has been awarded a bloc of studentships which will be allocated across its various pathways over the next 5 years.

All students will be required to meet ESRC expectations for 'core' research methods and researcher development training which will be offered centrally by the DTC as part of its core training modules the department level. Students will also complete subject-specific training at department level, as specified in the training pathways approved by the ESRC. The DTC will be promoting the provision of advanced training in departments, on an inter-disciplinary basis through the DTC, and in collaboration with other DTCs.

In addition, the new framework is also intended to encourage greater involvement of non-academic bodies in postgraduate training. Therefore, a certain number of studentships at Warwick will involve collaboration with public, private or third sector organisations. For more information please follow the link:

Doctoral Training Centre

To view the core training modules offered by the DTC, please click on the links below to view timetables:

The Practice of Social Research

Philosophies of Social Science Research

Qualitative Research Methods

Quantitative Research Methods

For more information contact:

ESRC Doctoral Training Centre

Judith McAllister

Training Co-ordinator

Room B0.04, Ground Floor Social Sciences

University of Warwick

Email:

Tel: (024) 76 573 289

Working hours: Wednesday mornings, Thursdays and Fridays

How to be an Effective Researcher at the University of Warwick – an Introduction to the Research Student Skills Programme

Summary Description

An introductory programme designed especially for research students at the University of Warwick. The programme enhances effectiveness as a postgraduate researcher by providing opportunities to build understanding of skills, becoming aware support services available at the university and grow confidence as a member of the postgraduate community.

Main description

The Research Student Skills Programme (RSSP) invites you to attend an introductory programme designed especially for researchers here at the University of Warwick. The programme will enhance your effectiveness as a postgraduate researcher by providing you with an opportunity to build your understanding, skills and confidence in the following areas:

  • communication
  • planning and time management
  • problem solving
  • leadership
  • assertiveness

The programme will help you to a greater self-awareness of the support services which are available to you as a researcher at Warwick.

When you have completed the introduction programme you will be allocated to an Action Learning Set which will continue to help, guide and support you through your first year as a research student at the University of Warwick.

The RSSP will be running ‘How to be an Effective Researcher’ throughout 2015/16, so check the date you are registering to be confident that you are signing up for the most appropriate ‘How to be an Effective Researcher’ for you.

For further details and to book a place, please follow the link on the RSSP homepage: PLEASE NOTE: you can only book once you are fully enrolled and have received your IT username.

ePortfolio

As a window on your research world, an ePortfolio is an online record of your academic life. It is a collection of web pages, representing and showcasing your research, ideas, experience, resources and academic interest. With an audience of fellow researchers within your department, the Warwick community, potential employers and the wider academic world, an ePortfolio provides structure and presentation surpassing what you can achieve with a blog.

As a researcher, it’s important that you have a presence within the online academic community. You present some of the intellectual resources of the University and your work is an original contribution to your research area.

Warwick ePortfolios rank highly in search engines such as google, meaning that when searching for terms such as your name or research topic, it is likely that your ePortfolio will be one of the first listed results.

Your ePortfolio will be given a short web address for easy navigation. You can publish this on business cards, presentation slides and your email signature. People you meet and communicate with will then be able to find up-to-date information about you and your research.

For more information on ePortfolio please follow the link:

Progressing Through The Research Degree Process

This section summarises some of the key aspects for the completion of your M.Phil/PhD.

  • Ensure your registration is completed and all information is correct.
  • Attendance at Graduate School, DTC and CLL Induction Events.
  • Regular supervision

It is important that you make best use of this time. Thesis planning and other helpful information is available at the Graduate School website. You will need to review and reshape the plan as your thesis takes shape and focuses in its direction. Detailed notes of the monthly sessions with your supervisor will be recorded and filed.

  • Submit your Annual Review document by 31 May each year (Annual Review Form).
  • Submit Upgrade Review document by 9-12 months for FT students and 18-24 from start date for PT students (Process and Form).
  • Attending research seminars, writing up groups and SSLC activities.

These are an important source of support for students who are often going through common experiences related to their research and writing of their theses.

  • If you have concerns about your progress, identify what you think these are and organise to speak with your supervisors in the first instance to work through your concerns and/or The Director of Graduate Studies.
  • Buy one of the books on how to do a PhD.
  • Useful Information on Research Examinations (Viva):

Provision of Facilities and Support for Research Students

Below is information about some of the resources available in the Centre for Lifelong Learning to support your studies.

Photocopying

Full-time students are allocated £40 per year for photocopying costs and part-time students are allocated £30 a year for photocopying costs. These amounts are credited onto your University ID Cards. Copying after that will be charged at 5p per copy. If you and your supervisor agree that it would be more useful for you to use the library photocopier, or that you have exceptional needs in this or any other respect, a written case may be made to the Director of Graduate Studies to consider exceeding or varying the normal limit.

Inter-library loans

You are allocated 20 free inter-library loans (ILLs) per year. For each one, you should obtain the necessary form from the library, and ask your supervisor to sign it as relevant to your research and pass it to Sam Hundal. She will need to keep a record of the number you have used as a proportion of our annual allocation. As above, a written case can be made to vary this arrangement in exceptional circumstances.

Office space

This is currently available in the Education Building (next to car park 14) on the ground floor i.e. rooms WE0.47 and WCE0.49. There is a keypad on the door and the code to get in is 2015. A ‘hot desking’ arrangement is operated in the rooms, which means that, any time you go in, you can sit at any desk or table that is free. No one can reserve a desk for their sole use. Most research students undertake a good deal of their private study at home, perhaps using the rooms on campus more as a place to encounter other students, and we would encourage this if you find it productive. Please note that there are also carrels for private study available in the library but these must be booked very early in Term 1

Stationery

Headed paper, compliments slips and envelopes can be obtained from Sam Hundal. Please ensure that your supervisor has given prior approval for any correspondence that you plan to send out in the CLL’s name.

Financial support

A student who does not have provision within their funding to cover fieldwork costs and attendance at conferences where they are presenting a paper or poster, or other essential expenses may, with the support of their supervisor, make a written case to the Director of the Centre for Lifelong Learning for discretionary assistance with specified items of expenditure. A ceiling of £250 per year will normally be placed on any monies allocated in this way, which will also be subject to the prevailing financial climate in the Centre. In the case of conferences students should only apply if they are presenting at the conference, attendance only will not be considered. All such applications should go to the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr Barbara Merrill.

Staff Student Liaison Committee

The Staff Student Liaison Committee for postgraduate research students is convened to deal with any issues of general interest or concern. It meets on a termly basis. There are representatives from each year who are elected at the beginning of the academic year. There are also social events organised by the SSLC.

Other points of contact

Your first point of contact for all research matters, and for most other academic and personal issues, are your supervisors. You may also contact the Director of Graduate Studies in CLL if you have any procedural queries or any concern about the supervisory process (see Code of Practice). The Programme Co-ordinator, whose job will include all administrative matters relating to research students in CLL, is Sam Hundal. Sam is located in Room WCEO.1C, Ground floor, CLL, and her e-mail address is .

Annual Progress Reviews and Upgrades

One of the ways in which CLL gives you feedback on your progress is through a process of annual review. It takes the form of both you and your supervisors reviewing progress and provision of support in writing, further reviewed by the Director of Graduate Studies and Director of CLL. This takes place every year until you submit your thesis. If there are any difficulties, additional stages are automatically built in to try and resolve the matter. A copy of the relevant paperwork is enclosed in this folder for your interest. You will receive an emailed copy to return and a reminder in the summer term to complete the form. (Please note that the Graduate School will also ask you to complete a form once a year, which is part of its own, separate procedure of quality assurance.)

Health and Safety

The Health and Safety Officer for the CLL is Michele Archer. If you have any health and safety concerns, for example in relation to protracted use of a computer, please see her. Issues of personal safety arising from the conduct of your research are more properly a matter for discussion in supervision.

Learning to teach

The University provides free training for research students who are going to be undertaking teaching duties of any kind. This can build towards an accredited ‘Warwick Teaching Certificate’. Since CLL specialises in professional and continuing professional education, it is less often possible than in other settings to offer research students teaching or tutoring work - unless you are yourself already an experienced professional. There are occasional exceptions to this, for example in assisting taught postgraduates to study on-line and in facilitating some small-group learning for students. If you would like to gain some teaching experience on your CV, talk to your supervisor and let the Director of Graduate Studies know. If you are going to be doing any teaching, you should register at the start of Term 1 for the ‘Learning to Teach’ course. Please note that the course is organised on the basis of learning through doing, so is not suitable for anyone who has a general interest but no practical involvement. Also, it starts before term begins so may be easier to join in Year 2 of your studies.

Information about funding opportunities

If you do not already have adequate funding approved for your entire period of study, you should talk to your supervisors about applying for financial assistance. Internal funding under the Warwick Postgraduate Research Fellowship scheme is covered in the Warwick Graduate School portal at:.

You can enquire further through the Graduate School Office. For overseas students, the International Office is another good source of advice.

The Library

Students benefit from the excellent library holdings at Warwick. The University Library includes a number of specialist collections which are unique, such as the Modern Records Centre (which houses the records of the major trade unions, adult education and a number of social work organisations), the Gillian Rose Collection (Social Theory) provides a comprehensive collection in the field of migration and ethnic studies. Doctoral students also have free access to inter-library loans for more specialist needs. Through the Postgraduate Student Guide, all students are given up to date information on who to contact in the Library for their particular research and subject area needs.