Research Skills Master Programme

Published on: Oct 2013 45 Hours of Core activities 200 Hours of Additional activities

Courses featured in this programme:

  • Introduction to the Research Skills Master Programme
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013
    Core activities: 1 hour 

    This introductory course highlights and explains the importance of skills training for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers with the help of a video featuring current PhD researchers, experienced academics and a variety of graduate employers.

    The course also explains the features and learning tools used throughout the Research Skills programme and contains a diagnostic quiz to highlight the courses most relevant to individual participants’ needs. 

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: The purpose of the Research Skills Master Programme
    • Module 2: Using the Research Skills Master Programme

     

    Author, first edition: Dr Richard Hinchcliffe
    Director of Postgraduate Training, University of Liverpool

    Reviewer, first edition: Dr Paul Walker 
    Senior Lecturer, Centre for Advancement of Learning and Technology, UCL

  • Intellectual property in the research context
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 2.5 hours 
    Additional activities: 11 hours   

    An awareness of intellectual property and related issues is now essential for anyone working within the research context. This course is a short introduction to the topic, covering the main different intellectual property rights (IPRs), the importance of confidentiality and ownership and exploitation. The course offers a wealth of further resources and information on who to turn to for further advice on IP issues.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: An introduction to IP
    • Module 2: Patents
    • Module 3: Trade marks
    • Module 4: Copyright
    • Module 5: Design rights
    • Module 6: Scenario
    • Module 7: Confidentiality, ownership and exploitation
    • Module 8: Scenario

     

    Author, second edition: Professor Ruth Soetendorp
    Associate Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy & Management, Bournemouth University

    Author, first edition: Hedley Christ
    Senior Lecturer in Law, Jean Monnet Centre, Facolta di Giurisprudenza, University of Perugia; Visiting Lecturer, Institut de Droit Canonique, University of Paris; Law Department, University of Brighton

    Author, first edition: Claire Howell 
    Senior Lecturer in Law, Aston Business School

  • Getting published in the arts
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 2.5 hours 
    Additional activities: 12 hours

    The aim of this course is to give guidance and support to arts and humanities researchers who are keen to put their research into the public realm, through academic papers and books. The course will explore the different types of publication available and guide participants through the processes involved in getting a journal article or academic book published, including selecting material, writing an article or book proposal and the peer review process.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: The publishing landscape
    • Module 2: Academic journals: An overview
    • Module 3: Writing an academic journal article
    • Module 4: Submitting a journal article
    • Module 5: Publishing books

     

    Author, revised edition: Dr Helen Laville 
    Head of the Department of American and Canadian Studies, University of Birmingham; member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council Peer Review College

    Author, first edition: Professor Flora Samuel 
    Head of the School of Architecture, University of Sheffield

    Author, first edition: Professor Stephen Taylor
    Professor of Early Modern History and former Director of the Graduate School, University of Reading

  • Getting published in the sciences
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 2 hours 
    Additional activities: 11 hours

    This course aims to encourage researchers in the sciences to publish and guide them through the processes involved in publishing an academic article, including identifying when and where to publish, how to write and prepare a paper for submission and the peer review process. The course may also be helpful for researchers in the social sciences using experimental research methods.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: The publishing landscape
    • Module 2: Getting ready to publish
    • Module 3: Submitting your paper
    • Module 4: The editorial process
    • Module 5: Tips from the top

     

    Author, revised and first editions: Dr Keith Hart
    Senior Research Fellow, Central Biotechnology Services, School of Medicine, Cardiff University

    Reviewer, first edition: Professor Peter Barnes  
    Professor of Thoracic Medicine and Head of Airway Disease at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London

  • Ethics 1: Good research in practice
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 2 hours 
    Additional activities: 6 hours

    This course covers standard practice and recent changes in universities’ ethics policies relating to research that investigates people and their data.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: An introduction to research ethics
    • Module 2: Ethics in practice
    • Module 3: A brief history of ethics and its implications
    • Module 4: Further questions on research ethics
    • Module 5: Ethics review and reflection

     

    Author, revised and first editions: Professor Priscilla Alderson
    Professor Emerita of Childhood Studies, Institute of Education, University of London

    Reviewer, first edition: Professor Bobbie Farsides 
    Professor of Clinical and Biomedical Ethics at Brighton and Sussex Medical School

  • Ethics 2: Research with humans in the health and social sciences
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 3 hours 
    Additional activities: 10 hours

    This course is about the ethics of involving human participants ‒ directly or indirectly ‒ in research in health or the social sciences. The course explains how ethics is central to high standards during all stages of research and aims to introduce researchers to the major laws, policies and guidelines relevant to research involving human participants.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: Research with human participants, subjects or objects: Introduction
    • Module 2: Ethics and regulation
    • Module 3: Informed consent: Introduction
    • Module 4: Informed consent: Accessibility of information
    • Module 5 Informed consent: Children
    • Module 6: Informed consent: Adults with learning difficulties
    • Module 7: Confidentiality
    • Module 8: Liability and inducement

     

    Author, second edition: Professor Priscilla Alderson
    Professor Emerita of Childhood Studies, Institute of Education, University of London

    Expert reviewer, second edition: Robin Mackenzie  
    Director of Medical Law and Ethics at the University of Kent; member of the National Research Ethics Service London South East Research Ethics Committee

    Author, first edition: Gary Roper 
    Head of Regulatory Compliance, Clinical Research Governance Office, Imperial College London

    Reviewer, first edition: Professor Richard Ashcroft  
    Professor of Biomedical Ethics at Queen Mary, University of London

  • Managing your research project
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 3 hours 
    Additional activities: 17 hours

    This course is designed to help participants organise their approach to undertaking, leading or helping to lead a research project. The lessons are particularly relevant for doctoral researchers in all disciplines. The course will demonstrate how researchers can use established ‘project management’ techniques to help successfully carry out their research, and will introduce a variety of planning and problem-solving techniques to help participants work out the best approach for your particular project.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: Introduction to managing your research project
    • Module 2: People, roles and responsibilities
    • Module 3: Early preparation for your research project
    • Module 4: Detailed project planning
    • Module 5: Carrying out your research project

     

    Author, second edition: Katherine Fletcher 
    Senior Project Manager, University of Oxford

    Author, first edition: Andrey Timoshkin  
    Consultant at Imperial College Consultants Ltd; former researcher at the Centre for Health Management, Imperial College London

    Author, first edition: Declan J Cunningham 
    Tutor in Project Management at the University of Limerick

    Reviewer, first edition: Professor Chris Toumazou
    Director of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Circuit Design at Imperial College London

    Reviewer, first edition: Professor Michael Orren
    Professor of Oceanography, Cardiff University; Founder Director of the Board of the Irish National Marine Institute

  • Career planning in the arts, humanities and social sciences
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 2.5 hours 
    Additional activities: 6 hours

    This course aims to encourage postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers to start thinking about their future career options as early as possible, and offers practical techniques and suggestions to help identify and manage suitable career paths as successfully as possible. The techniques suggested in the course will be valuable whether participants are planning a career in academia or exploring a variety of alternative career options.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: Understanding your values and motivations
    • Module 2: Your skills toolkit
    • Module 3: Choosing your career path
    • Module 4: Effective applications
    • Module 5: Interviews and assessment centres
    • Module 6: Job offers: Accepting, rejecting and negotiating

     

    Author, revised and first editions: Dr Kathy Barrett
    Careers Advisor, University College London and SOAS

    Author, first edition: Tom Davie  
    Deputy Head of Careers at Durham University Careers Advisory Service

    Reviewer: Professor Shearer West
    Head of the Division of Humanities, University of Oxford

  • Career planning in the sciences
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 2.5 hours 
    Additional activities: 7 hours

    This course aims to encourage postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers in the sciences to start thinking about their future career options as early as possible, and offers practical techniques and suggestions to help identify and manage suitable career paths as successfully as possible. The techniques suggested in the course will be valuable whether participants are planning a career in academia or exploring a variety of alternative career options.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1:  Understanding your motivations and constraints
    • Module 2: Your skills toolkit
    • Module 3:  Identify your career path
    • Module 4: Develop your action plan
    • Module 5: Top tips for getting that job

     

    Author, revised edition: Dr Kathy Barrett
    Careers Advisor, University College London and SOAS

    Author, first edition: Dr Denise Best
    Academic Clinical Careers Manager, Clinical Academic Graduate School, University of Oxford

    Reviewer: Dr Tracey Bussoli
    Careers Consultant for Researchers, Queen Mary, University of London

  • Working with your supervisor
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 2 hours 
    Additional activities: 9 hours

    This course aims to encourage postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers to reflect on their relationship with their research supervisor or principal investigator, and to take proactive steps to improve and maintain a positive, professional relationship with their supervisor for the duration of their research project.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: Getting started
    • Module 2: Getting to know your supervisor
    • Module 3: Meetings and communications
    • Module 4: Feedback and advice
    • Module 5: What to do when things go wrong
    • Module 6: Top tips

     

    Author, revised edition: Dr Deborah Longworth
    Senior Lecturer, Department of English, University of Birmingham

    Author, first edition: Professor Paul Langford 
    Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London

    Reviewer, first edition: Corony Edwards
    Director of Educational Development, University of Birmingham

  • Conferences, presenting and networking
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 2 hours 
    Additional activities: 20 hours

    This course is aimed at encouraging postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers to attend conferences and improve their presenting and networking skills. The course explains why it is important to attend conferences, how to select an appropriate conference and how to get the most out of conference attendance. The course also offers tips on academic networking and valuable advice on organising a conference.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: Selecting a conference
    • Module 2: Presenting
    • Module 3: Networking
    • Module 4: Organising a conference
    • Module 5: Self-appraisal and feedback

     

    Author, second edition: Dr Deborah Longworth
    Senior Lecturer, Department of English, University of Birmingham

    Author, second edition: Dr Keith Hart
    Senior Research Fellow, Central Biotechnology Services, School of Medicine, Cardiff University

    Author, first edition: Professor Paul Langford
    Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London

    Reviewer, first edition: Professor Stephen Taylor
    Professor of Early Modern History and former Director of the Graduate School, University of Reading

    Reviewer, first edition: Corony Edwards
    Director of Educational Development, University of Birmingham

  • Research methods in the arts and humanities
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 2.5 hours 
    Additional activities: 9 hours

    This course aims to develop an awareness of the practical and conceptual skills that support effective independent scholarly research in the arts and humanities. The end goal is to help researchers to understand the issues involved in making an informed choice about the methodology and approach most suitable for their own specific project.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: Introducing research methodology in the arts and humanities
    • Module 2: Approaching archives, artefacts and other evidence
    • Module 3: Thinking critically, thinking theoretically
    • Module 4: Understanding disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity
    • Module 5: Is it working?

     

    Author, first and revised editions: Dr Helen Laville 
    Head of the Department of American and Canadian Studies, University of Birmingham; member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council Peer Review College

    Author, first edition: Dr Deborah Longworth  
    Senior Lecturer, Department of English, University of Birmingham

    Reviewer, first edition: Professor Stephen Taylor 
    Professor of Early Modern History and former Director of the Graduate School, University of Reading

  • Research methods in the social sciences
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 3 hours 
    Additional activities: 11 hours

    This course aims to support doctoral and postdoctoral researchers undertaking independent research in the social sciences. The course provides guidance on the different research processes, from the early stages of framing a research question, through conducting the research, to writing up findings and publication.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: Before you get started
    • Module 2: Framing your research question
    • Module 3: Planning considerations
    • Module 4: Designing your research
    • Module 5: Data collection
    • Module 6: Data analysis
    • Module 7: Starting your research
    • Module 8: Reporting your research

     

    Author, first and revised editions: Dr Helen Aveyard 
    Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Social Care, Oxford Brookes University

    Author, first and revised editions: Dr Gordon Rugg
    Senior Lecturer, School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University

    Reviewer, first edition: Professor David Shaw 
    Professor, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool

  • Research methods in the sciences
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 3 hours 
    Additional activities: 7 hours

    This course aims to support doctoral and postdoctoral researchers undertaking independent research in the sciences. The course provides guidance on the different research processes, from the early stages of framing a research question, through conducting the research, to writing up findings and publication.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: What is science?
    • Module 2: Identifying and formulating the research question
    • Module 3: Evaluating research questions
    • Module 4: Designing and planning your research
    • Module 5: Reflection and communication

     

    Author, revised edition: Dr Keith Hart 
    Senior Research Fellow, Central Biotechnology Services, School of Medicine, Cardiff University

    Author, first edition: Dr Gordon Rugg
    Senior Lecturer, School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University

    Author, first edition: Dr Nick Sevdalis
    Senior Lecturer Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London

    Author, first edition: Dr Muttukrishnan Rajarajan
    Course Director, Multi-Media Internet Systems Engineering, City University London

    Author, first edition: Professor Paul Langford 
    Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London

    Reviewer, first edition: Professor Chris Thomas 
    Professor of Molecular Genetics, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham

  • Research methods in literature review
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 3 hours 
    Additional activities: 12 hours

    This course aims to give doctoral and postdoctoral researchers a sound understanding of the literature review process. Examples are taken from many different disciplines and will be relevant to all researchers, regardless of academic field.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: What is a literature review?
    • Module 2: Searching for literature
    • Module 3: Evaluation of the literature
    • Module 4: Writing up your review

     

    Author, revised and first editions: Dr Helen Aveyard 
    Senior Lecturer in the School of Health and Social Care, Oxford Brookes University

    Reviewer, first edition: Professor William O’Connor
    Head of Teaching and Research in Physiology, University of Limerick

  • Academic entrepreneurship: an introduction
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 2.5 hours 
    Additional activities: 6 hours

    Researchers taking this course will learn about entrepreneurial motivation, appetite for risk, skills and capabilities, and what makes entrepreneurs successful. They will also get a good overview of how an entrepreneurial journey fits together, and how their own journey might take shape.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: Entrepreneurship in the academic context
    • Module 2: An introduction to entrepreneurial motivation
    • Module 3: Characteristics of a successful entrepreneur
    • Module 4: Entrepreneurship and you

     

    Author, revised and first editions: Dr Adam J Bock 
    Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at the University of Edinburgh and a serial entrepreneur in the medical field

    Author, first edition: Dr Shailendra Vyakarnam
    Cambridge University, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge

    Reviewer, first edition: Professor Gerard George  
    Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and also Deputy Dean at the Imperial College Business School

  • Entrepreneurial opportunities: recognition and evaluation
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 3 hours 
    Additional activities: 8 hours

    This course will help researchers to understand why and how opportunities arise and to spot opportunities which could add value in their current environment. Participants will also learn to evaluate ideas and assess whether they are worth pursuing, as well as receiving guidance on how best to argue a business case for their ideas.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: Origins of opportunity
    • Module 2: Opportunity recognition
    • Module 3: Opportunity evaluation: Introduction
    • Module 4: Opportunity evaluation: Industry attractiveness
    • Module 5: Opportunity evaluation: Intellectual property
    • Module 6: Opportunity evaluation: Detailed evaluation
    • Module 7: Business planning

     

    Author, revised and first editions: Dr Adam J Bock 
    Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at the University of Edinburgh and a serial entrepreneur in the medical field

    Author, first edition: Simon Stockley
    Senior Teaching Faculty in Entrepreneurship at Cambridge Judge Business School and Deputy Director of Accelerate Cambridge

    Reviewer, first edition: Professor Gerard George  
    Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and also Deputy Dean at the Imperial College Business School

  • Entrepreneurial resources: people, teams and finance
    Overview

    Publication date: Oct 2013 
    Core activities: 3 hours 
    Additional activities: 6 hours

    This course aims to help researchers think in a logical and systematic way about the resources required to start a successful venture. Participants will gain an understanding of the importance of social capital and the best ways to recruit and select founding team members. They will also learn how best to raise appropriate financial capital and will become aware of sources of help and advice available to nascent entrepreneurs.

     

    Syllabus
    • Module 1: Resource acquisition
    • Module 2: Social capital
    • Module 3: Human capital
    • Module 4: Raising financial capital: Introduction
    • Module 5: Raising financial capital: Valuation and investment

     

    Author, revised and first editions: Dr Adam J Bock 
    Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at the University of Edinburgh and a serial entrepreneur in the medical field

    Author, first edition: Simon Stockley
    Senior Teaching Faculty in Entrepreneurship at Cambridge Judge Business School and Deputy Director of Accelerate Cambridge

    Reviewer, first edition: Professor Gerard George  
    Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and also Deputy Dean at the Imperial College Business School