POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENT HANDBOOK
School of Clinical Dentistry /
The University Of Sheffield
September 2014
CONTENTS PAGE
Page NumberWelcome to the School of Clinical Dentistry / 2
Postgraduate Research Student – Induction / 6
Graduate Research Degrees / 7
Supervision and Monitoring Scheme for Research Students / 10
Summary of the School’s PGR Student Monitoring Scheme / 19
Appendix A – Useful Web Addresses / 29
Appendix B – PGR Student Check List / 30
Appendix C – Research Ethics and Research Governance / 32
Appendix D – Personal Tutor’s Record / 37
Appendix E – Suggested PhD Timetable / 39
Appendix F – 1st Year Research Student’s Report / 40
Appendix G – Research Committee Membership / 43
Appendix H – How to Write a Research Report or Thesis / 44
Appendix I – Guidelines for Timely Submission / 49
WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL OF CLINICAL DENTISTRY IN SHEFFIELD
We are delighted that you have chosen to undertake your research training at the Dental School here in Sheffield. You will be joining an ever increasing list of students who have successfully completed their higher research degrees in the School, and we hope that you will find it a friendly, stimulating and vibrant research environment.The School of Clinical Dentistry is adjacent and connected to the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital, and is near the Medical School, the Health Sciences Library and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, all of which are on the perimeter of the main University campus.
A new wing to the School of Dentistry was opened in April 2008 providing state-of-the-art research laboratory facilities and strengthening our research culture.Our strong research was recognised nationally by being listed as one of the topdental schools in the country in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.
Research is one of our key activities. It underpins our teaching, strengthens our knowledge base and informs the development of clinical excellence. We believe that dental science should not be constrained by the traditional boundaries created by the formation of departments with specific clinical disciplines, and that progress will derive from a multidisciplinary approach. Research in the School of Clinical Dentistry, is therefore organised as a cross-departmental activity in the form of two overarching themes, Basic & Applied Research and Clinical & Person Centred Research, with three interdisciplinary research groups, Bioengineering & Health Technologies, Person Centred and Population Oral Healthand Integrated Biosciences.
Each research group has a leader who guides and co-ordinates its members’ activities, which encompass laboratory and clinical projects, addressing basic and applied questions. Research is stimulated in-house by regular group meetings and by School seminars where staff, students and leading external speakers present their current research.
You will be linked to one of our three research groups, the general aims of which are summarised as follows:
Bioengineering and Health Technologies
The face defines identity, where disease or trauma undermine quality of life and may be life-threatening. Our interdisciplinary Group undertakes pioneering research into advanced biomaterials and medical devices, making scientific and technical advances that substantially improve clinical outcomes, working with industry and clinicians to make a difference to people worldwide.The group has strong links with other University departments through the Centre for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering and with industry.
The B&HT Group undertakes pioneering scientific research into new technologies for the repair and regeneration of tissues in the head, neck and face in order to substantially improve human health and quality of life. Our thematic objectives are:
•To develop and understand new biomaterials with enhanced functional performance for use in clinical applications
•To pioneer the application of new digital technologies and advanced manufacturing technologies to make custom medical devices and scaffolds
•To innovate in the exciting new field of tissue engineering and regenerative dentistry, taking this research forward from the laboratory bench towards clinical application.
Integrated Biosciences
Integrated Biosciences is a multidisciplinary group which brings together clinicians and scientists with common interests in three important areas of oral physiology and disease. Each area brings key strengths in basic science and translation of this into the large patient base within the adjoining Dental Hospital.
The aims of the group are:
•To improve the treatment of patients with pain or sensory disturbance arising as a consequence of disease or nerve injury.
•To translate he outcomes of ongoing research into the molecular and cellular pathogenesis and head and neck cancer into clinically useful diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic tools.
•to identify mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of microbial diseases and develop appropriate treatments for these
•To understand the molecular mechanisms in the defence of the oral mucosa.
Person Centred and Population Oral Health
Our novel and interdisciplinary research bridges the gap between the theoretical and methodological traditions of the social sciences and clinical specialities to highlight and advance a person-centred approach in the field of dentistry. The group’s expertise is in a number of areas working across a number of levels; individual, group, society and health services; encompassing a range of methodologies, from traditional quantitative approaches (epidemiology, psychometrics) to more innovative qualitative paradigms (systems theory, narrative).
The aim of the group is to plan, conduct and implement high quality research in oral health utilising the theories and empirical traditions of Dental Public Health, Sociology and Psychology with the purpose of improving the oral health of individuals and populations. Our specific objectives are:
•To explain the experience of oral health and disease from individual and population perspectives.
•To explore the structural and psychosocial aspects of oral health.
•To identify ways in which the oral health of individuals and populations can be improved.
•To contribute to national and international academic debates in dentistry and social sciences applied to oral health
•To develop innovative and enabling research methods in relation to oral health
The material in this handbook aims to inform you about being a Postgraduate Research Student in the School of Clinical Dentistry and includes aspects of monitoring progress and pastoral support. It is meant to supplement material already provided to you by the University. Useful websites to help you find information are given in Appendix A. We hope that you will take full advantage of the opportunities available and enjoy your time with us.
Dr Dan Lambert
Director of Postgraduate Research
Postgraduate Research Student – Induction
When you first come to the University you will register with the University and Graduate Research Office and you will meet with your new supervisors. This is normally done during Induction week. You will be informed about your supervisory arrangements, how to plan the initial stages of your research programme and learn about the facilities and support offered by the School and the University. You will also discuss your Training Needs Analysis and choose which modules you will undertake for the Doctoral Development Programme.
Research and innovation services will issue you with an ‘Induction Passport’ which will guide and assist you through the induction process.
This year, the Postgraduate Induction Course will be held between the 6th and 28th October. This course has been designed to introduce you to many of the core skills and experiences you are expected to gain during the course of your research. It will also provide an opportunity for you to meet and get to know postgraduate students in other areas of the faculty as well as introducing the Doctoral Development Programme (DDP). More information regarding the Postgraduate Induction Course and the DDP can be found on the Graduate School webpages:
POST-Graduate Research Degrees in the School of Clinical Dentistry
The Post-Graduate Research Degrees currently on offer within the School provide opportunities to develop research skills and work independently. These degrees are supported by the Doctoral Development Programme (DDP) comprising a range of modules and skills training some of which are provided by the School and some by other departments in the University. Independence in research is learned by working under the guidance and supervision of a senior academic, while taking responsibility for personal work planning. Students are expected to develop their own theoretical knowledge base relating to the concepts underpinning the research topic undertaken. MPhil and PhD research degrees are generic awards to candidates in any subject area. The degree does not, therefore, indicate that ‘dentistry’ was the subject of the research. The School requires you to carry out extensive, diligent and well-planned research work written up in a concise, well-presented thesis. The calibre of your work should be such that it is worthy of publication in respected peer reviewed scientific journals.
Regulationsgoverning research degrees are to be found in the General Regulations part of the Academic Calendar. This may be accessed via the University of Sheffield Home Page on:
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Achieving a MPhil research degree involves the presentation of a research thesis and the successful completion of an oral examination. The thesis will contain a record of the completed investigation and must display a good knowledge of the area of study. The minimum period of study is one year full-time or two years part-time. The normal period is 2 years full time (4 years part-time). A candidate is examined orally on the subject of the thesis by an internal and external examiner or two external examiners if a staff candidate.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The period of registration by a full-time candidate is a minimum of 2 years, normally 3 years; for part-time candidates, the minimum is 4 years.
Students must satisfactorily complete a Confirmation Review at the end of the first year. If satisfactory progress is demonstrated, students will continue to study towards a PhD. If a student fails the Confirmation Review at the first attempt they will normally be permitted to undergo a second attempt no later than 18 months from the start of their registration. If a student fails the second attempt at Confirmation Review, they will no longer be permitted to remain on the doctoral level degree and will automatically be transferred to the degree of MPhil. They will normally be permitted to remain on the degree of MPhil and will submit a thesis for that degree.
Students will also be required to produce a thesis plan after 24 months, to ensure any problems are identified before continuing on to the final year of their studies.
A candidate for the degree of PhD is required to satisfy the examiners that his or her thesis extends knowledge within the chosen discipline, shows evidence of systematic study and is worthy of publication. A candidate is examined orally on the subject of the thesis by an internal and external examiner or two external examiners if a staff candidate.
Details of the regulations for the degree of PhD and further information and guidelines for the conduct of research degrees can be found in the University Code of Practice and Guidebook for Research Students and Supervisors:
Doctor of Dental Science (DDSc)
This degree is only available to candidates who either hold a BDS degree of the University of Sheffield of at least three years standing, or who is a recognised graduate in Dentistry with a qualification conferring eligibility for full or provisional registration with the General Dental Council, and at the time of registration holds an appointment as a full-time or part-time member of the established or honorary staff of the University or holds a Higher Degree from this or another University.
The programme of research is equivalent to that for the PhD and shall be for not less than two years for full-time candidates, four years for part-time candidates or two years for University/Hospital staff candidates. The research work is examined by thesis and oral examination.
Supervision and Monitoring Scheme fOR Research Students
1 / IntroductionThis scheme for the supervision and monitoring of graduate research students in the School of Clinical Dentistry is a supplement to the Code of Practice and Guidebook for Research Students and Supervisors published by Research and Innovation Services of the University of Sheffield. The scheme is specific to research students within the School of Clinical Dentistry.
2 /
Choice of Research Focus
Students should identify their area of research interest at the time of induction, although the research project will be more fully developed with the lead supervisor. All research work should be allied to the research themes of the School as identified in the School’s Research Strategy Document.All research in the School must be conducted in an ethical manner. Work on human subjects requires approval from the South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee and/or has University Research Governance approval. Work on animals requires a Home Office licence. No work on either humans or animals can be conducted without these approvals being in place before commencement. Your supervisor will help you organise these approvals. Further information can be found in Appendix C.
3 / Supervision
The student’s first recourse for training and advice concerning their research project is the lead supervisor, who should be consulted at every stage of the work. It is a joint responsibility of student and supervisor(s) to ensure that they meet regularly to review progress and plan the next part of the work. For further information read the section on ‘Supervisors’ in the Code of Practice and Guidebook for Research Students and Supervisors. Supervisors and students are expected to meet at least every 4-6 weeks, and to record these meetings on PebblePad.
3.1 / Lead Supervisor
The lead supervisoracts as the student’s main supervisor and has primary responsibility for the supervision of the student from the time of registration through to completion of his/her research degree. The lead supervisor will be a permanent member of University staff, and will fulfil the majority of the following criteria:
- Possess a good fit between the expertise or research interests of the supervisor and the student’s chosen research topic.
- Be able to assist with identifying other individuals who can advise on methodological and substantive content as and when necessary.
- Be an experienced researcher.
- Be able to provide guidance to the student in submitting papers for presentation and publication (Co-author papers with the student as appropriate).
- Assist and encourage the student to join appropriate learned societies and to attend relevant seminars and conferences.
3.2 / Second and Additional supervisors
All postgraduate research students in the School have more than one supervisor appointed from the beginning of their period of study. Second and additional supervisors may be appointed either at the beginning or at a point during the programme, especially when the research is of an interdisciplinary nature. Second and additional supervisors will have substantive or methodological expertise in the student’s research area or subject specialist knowledge that complements the expertise of the Lead Supervisor. In addition, the second supervisor will take primary responsibility for the student’s development training in the DDP.
4 /
Personal Tutor
Separate from the supervisory team, the School of Clinical Dentistry has in place a scheme of Personal Tutor for all postgraduate research students. The role of the Personal Tutor is as follows:The Personal Tutorprovides pastoral care and acts as a mentor but not as a supervisor.
The Personal Tutorshould meet with their research student at least once per semester
The Personal Tutorwill play an important role in cases of poor progress or poor communication between the student and the supervisor
The Personal Tutorwill normally work in an area of research different from that of the supervisor
The Personal Tutorwill be appointed by the Research Committee of the School of Clinical Dentistry at the first meeting of this Committee after registration of the student
The research students have the opportunity to indicate to the Director of Research whether or not they are happy with the choice of Personal Tutor appointed and if necessary tutorscan be changed.
Although the content of the meetings are confidential, notes on non-confidential items will be taken as a record that the meeting has taken place. An example record form is shown in Appendix D.
5 / Postgraduate Tutor
The PGR tutor is a member of academic staff who is responsible for co-ordinating several aspects of the training of research students. He/she is not responsible for provision of professional, technical, academic or pastoral aspects. These are provided by the Supervisors and Personal Tutor. The aspects dealt with by the PG Tutor are as follows:
- Monitoring admissions
- Maintaining student files
- Monitoring DDP portfolio completion
- Arranging the programme of Postgraduate Research Presentations
- Co-ordinating the School scheme that monitors student progress
- Liaising with the School Research Committee
- Representing the School on the Faculty Graduate School Committee
6 / Doctoral Development Programme (DDP)
The University requires that all PhD students complete the DDP. The DDP is a flexible, ongoing training plan that is an integral part of your research degree, and is tailored to your individual needs. It helps you progress through your research studies by identifying the skills you already have and providing opportunities to improve these and acquire new skills and experience. The aim of the DDP is to provide you with a range of skills and competency-based training opportunities orientated both towards your specific study and towards future employment, equipping you with transferrable skills that will make you a not only a successful researcher, but also able to easily assimilate skills that have wider utility, thus extending your employability to other professions.