Social Sciences
MPhil / PhD Economics
MPhil / PhD Gerontology
MPhil / PhD International Comparative Studies
MPhil / PhD Politics and International
Relations
MPhil / PhD Social Statistics
MPhil / PhD Social Work Studies
MPhil / PhD Sociology and Social Policy
Student Guide
DISCLAIMER
This Guide is issued on the condition that it does not form part of any contract between the University and any student. The information given has been made as accurate as possible at the time of going to press, but the University reserves the right to modify or alter, without prior notice, any of the contents advertised. You should note that it may not be possible to offer all modules or components of your degree programme as outlined within this Guide.
You will be alerted to any significant revision to key information via email and any amendment will be incorporated within the online version of the Guide available at http://www.southampton.ac.uk/socscinet/pgr/booklets.html .
Welcome
Welcome to the University of Southampton. I hope you will find your time as a research student with us both a happy and rewarding period of your life. This guide has been compiled to provide you with much of the important detail you will need whilst you are with us.
As a research student you will be involved, not only in conducting your own research, but also in following a programme of research training which will develop your skills and understanding in the conduct of social science research. The form this training takes will vary according to your particular discipline and the type of formal research training which you have received in the past. As such, an individual training programme will be organised for you in consultation with your research supervisor. This will involve participation in formal taught modules and other activities organised both by Social Sciences and the wider University. Brief details of the modules that may be available to you are given later in this guide.
Many of you will have the opportunity to undertake some teaching duties during your time with us, and this booklet contains brief details of the relevant policies and procedures. A full copy of the Postgraduate Teaching Assistants – Code of Practice will be available when you undertake teaching responsibilities.
As a postgraduate research student you will have a Supervisory Team to oversee your research, one or more members of which will act as your main supervisor. We provide a statement of responsibilities that we expect both you and your supervisor to observe. You should know who your supervisor is to be before joining us and you will be advised of the names of the
Supervisory Team shortly after you arrive. This is the group which will monitor your progress on a regular basis and make recommendations to the University regarding such matters as your progression from one year to the next. You will initially be registered for an MPhil degree, with the prospect of upgrading to a PhD at an appropriate time on the basis of a recommendation made by a formal Upgrade Panel. Each year you will be asked to write a short statement on the progress you feel you have made in the previous 12 months, outline the research training your have undertaken, and discuss with your Supervisory Team the training which you will undertake in the coming year, as well as the future direction of your research.
We are very keen that your views about your experience as a research student reach us. There are arrangements in place to enable you to feed back your views, and, once a year, you will also have the opportunity to complete an anonymous questionnaire on your experiences, which is analysed at University level. Through these mechanisms, we will be able to hear first hand about problems or ideas you have for improving your experience.
I do hope you will find your time here an intellectually rewarding and challenging experience.
Andy Hinde
Postgraduate Research Students’ Co-ordinator Social Sciences
Summary
This information is designed to be a general guide for your research study. You may find there is a little too much to take in at first, so take your time to read the various documents and follow the links given in this guide.
Your safety is paramount to us, and our policy is to ensure that safe and healthy working conditions, equipment and systems of work are provided and maintained for all staff and students. You also have a responsibility to conduct yourself with due care for your own safety and that of others. Basic safety information is provided on the web pages and we will also provide a formal safety induction. Procedures exist within the Dignity at Work and Study Policy should you have concerns regarding harassment, bullying or victimisation.
We hope you will be satisfied with your experiences as a student here. However, we recognise that, on occasions, things can go wrong. The University has a formal complaints procedure, which you can follow if you feel dissatisfied with the programmes, facilities or services provided by the University. In addition the Regulations Governing Academic Appeals by Students outline the steps that should be followed should you wish to appeal against a decision taken by the Board of Examiners.
The University of Southampton confirms its commitment to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities in employment and for students.
The University of Southampton confirms its commitment to a No Smoking Policy. Smoking is prohibited in and around all University buildings, with Social Sciences operating a three-metre exclusion zone around the Building 58. The policy applies not only to staff and students working at the University, but also to visitors.
Principal Members of Social Sciences
Position Name Room Email Telephone
Head of Social
Sciences
Professor Jane Falkingham 2043
23192
Deputy Head
(Research)
Professor Derek McGhee
4085 [email protected]
24807
Postgraduate
Research
Students
Coordinator
Dr Andrew Hinde
3057
23419
Education
Manager
(Programme
Support)
Catherine Hann
2011
22687
Discipline Postgraduate Research Tutors
Economics
Dr Jean-Yves Pitarakis
Professor Martin Gervais
3113
3011
22631
23847
Politics &
International
Relations
Dr Valbona Muzaka
3060
23668
Social Statistics
Dr Yves Berger
3029
25832
Social Work
Studies
Dr Cathy Murray
4029
23352
Sociology &
Social Policy
Professor Susan Halford
4093
[email protected] 22572
Gerontology
Centre for
Research on
Ageing
Professor Maria Evandrou
4101
24808
International
Comparative
Studies
Centre for
Contemporary
China
Professor Maozu Lu
3119
22550
Postgraduate Research Office Administration
Position Name Room Email Telephone Postgraduate Research Office
Manager
Also responsible for Sociology & Social Policy Division
Mrs Gill Crumplin 2019 [email protected] 25465
Programmes Administrator
Responsible for Economics Division and Gerontology, Centre for Research on Ageing
Ms Chris Thorn 2033 [email protected] 22527
Programmes Administrator
Responsible for the Divisions of Politics & International Relations, Social
Statistics and Social Work Studies
Ms Marion Deicke 2033 [email protected] 23048
Staff in the Postgraduate Research Office provide specialised administrative support to staff and students alike. You will need to visit this office to request letters, enrol for research training and to make specific enquiries about your candidature and degree programme.
The Postgraduate Research Zone at http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/pgr/index.shtml provides links to online booklets, forms policies and procedures, research ethics, health and safety, computing and other useful information.
Welcome ...2
Summary ...3
Supervision, Training and Candidature ...7
Choice of Research Topic ... 7
Supervisor and Supervisory Team ... 7
Supervision ... 7
Responsibilities of the Supervisor ... 8
Responsibilities of the Student: ... 9
Absence of the Supervisor ... 9
Absence of the Student... 9
Research Training... 10
Research Seminars ... 10
Research Training in Social Sciences ... 10
Objectives of Research Training... 10
Divisional Research Training Schemes within Social Sciences ... 11
Economics ... 11
Gerontology ... 11
International Comparative Studies ... 12
Politics and International Relations ... 12
Social Statistics ... 13
Social Work Studies ... 13
Sociology and Social Policy ... 13
Research Training Modules Available to 'External' Students... 14
Economics ... 14
Gerontology ... 14
International Comparative Studies ... 14
Politics and International Relations ... 14
Social Statistics ... 15
Social Work Studies ... 15
Sociology and Social Policy ... 15
Candidature ... 15
Duration of Candidature... 15
Temporary suspension of your studies ... 16
Permanent withdrawal from your studies ... 16
Changes of Candidature ... 16
The Nominal Roll... 16
Extension of Candidature ... 17
MPhil Registration and Upgrading to PhD... 17
Facilities ... 18
Computing... 18
PGR Blackboard ... 18
Ethical Issues and Approval... 19
Risk Assessment for Dissertations/Theses... 19
Postgraduate Students’ Paid Teaching Work... 20
Quality Assurance and Monitoring of Progress... 20
Quality Assurance ... 20
Annual Monitoring Reports: Students' Annual Progress Report ... 21
Procedures to be Followed in Cases of Difficulty ... 21
Complaints, appeals and discipline processes... 21
Unsatisfactory Progress... 22
Length of Thesis... 22
Academic integrity: avoiding suspicion of cheating and plagiarism ... 22
Communicating Without Offending... 22
Gender Neutral Language ... 22
Language Acceptable to Disabled People ... 23
Submission of Thesis and Examination Arrangements... 24
Oral Examination... 24
Criteria for Award of MPhil or PhD ... 24
The Difference between MPhil and PhD ... 25
Recommendations Following Examination ... 25
Co-Authorship of Research Publications... 26
Discipline web pages... 26
Use of Social Networking Sites ... 26
Equal Opportunities and Diversity... 26
Access and Confidentiality ... 26
General Information... 27
Out of Hours Working Policy... 27
Data Protection Act and Record Keeping ... 27
Intellectual property regulations... 27
Provision of written confirmation of your student status ... 28
Provision of academic references... 28
Support for non-academic issues ... 29
Support for students with additional needs ... 29
Advice on academic writing ... 29
Staff/Student liaison groups ... 29
Student representation on Social Sciences committees ... 29
Conference Attendance Fund... 29
Social Facilities... 30
Sources of Advice... 30
A Final Comment ... 30
Appendix 1 ... 31
Research Councils’ Skills Training Requirements for Research Students... 31
Appendix 2 ... 34
Social Sciences Ethical Guidelines for Research... 34
Appendix 3 ... 37
Research Students’ Annual Progress Report Form ... 37
Appendix 4 ... 39
PGR Thesis Risk Assessment Form... 39
Appendix 5 ... 42
Doctoral Examiners’ Joint Report and Recommendation ... 42
Appendix 6 ... 45
Support Provided by Library... 45
Support provided by iSolutions... 45
Supervision, Training and Candidature
The purpose of these notes is to set out the procedures followed in Social Sciences for the supervision of students registered for MPhil and PhD degrees and to provide guidelines to help students complete their thesis satisfactorily and speedily. They are intended to supplement
the Regulations for Higher Degrees, details of which can be found in the University Calendar, accessible via
http://www.calendar.soton.ac.uk/sectionV/index.html
where you will also find the University’s Code of Practice on Research Candidature and Supervision http://www.calendar.soton.ac.uk/sectionV/code-practice.html. (Referred to as Regs and Code of Practice in this handbook.)Choice of Research Topic
Social Sciences will only accept a research student for whom it can provide suitable supervision and appropriate facilities. This will have been considered at the time of your application. Often, the initial proposal a student makes is altered quite substantially as the research progresses. This is part and parcel of the creative process. However, such changes must have the agreement and support of the supervisor and the supervisory team. For everyone’s sake it is important that the supervisor can continue to offer appropriate supervision and that the facilities required by the project - including access to whatever data are necessary for the conduct of the research and appropriate means of analysis - are available.
Supervisor and Supervisory Team
The degrees of MPhil and PhD are supervised research degrees. Each student has a supervisory team, of which one or more members act as the main supervisor. The supervisor, who is appointed by the Social Sciences Board, is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of your progress. The members of the supervisory team are chosen as having interests and expertise relevant to the topic of the student’s research and at least one member of the supervisory team will have supervised other research students to successful completion. Where appropriate, members may be drawn from other disciplines. Your supervisor or supervisors are your primary contact and you should do as much as possible to develop and maintain a good working relationship. Responsibility for your work is your own, and the role of your supervisor and supervisory team is to provide all necessary support and advice. The Supervisory Team meets at a minimum once annually to review your progress (normally timed to coincide with the annual reporting process) and to make recommendations regarding such matters as progression with your studies and changes to the status of your candidature. A report of this meeting should be signed by all present and submitted to the Postgraduate Research Office. If at any time either the student or a member of the supervisory team wishes to place anything on record it should be copied to the student and all members of the supervisory team and placed on the student’s file.
(See Regs 12, Code of Practice 37-47, and 63-64.)
Supervision
For full-time students Social Sciences expects that in your first term you will meet your main supervisor or supervisors weekly. Thereafter meetings should average at least once every two weeks in term time during the first year. Subsequently the frequency of meetings may be adjusted to suit the progress of the research but should normally be at least monthly. The frequency of meetings for UK resident part-time students should be half that of full-time students. In their first term, they should meet with their main supervisor or supervisors fortnightly. Thereafter meetings should average at least once every four weeks in term time during the first year. Subsequently the frequency of meetings may be adjusted to suit the progress of the research, but should normally be at least every two months. Non-UK resident part-time students should spend at least the first month of their registration at the University of Southampton and should visit the University annually for supervisory team meetings.
(Exemption from the minimum initial period requires special permission from the Social Sciences Postgraduate Coordinator.) Meetings should be supplemented by regular e-mail, telephone and/or written communication, to ensure that the supervisor is kept informed of progress or difficulties.
If at any time you feel that you would benefit from more regular meetings with your supervisor(s) you should discuss this with your supervisor in the first instance. If a satisfactory outcome is not reached, you should raise this first with the Postgraduate Research Students Coordinator, Dr Andy Hinde or, if still not satisfied, with the Deputy Head (Education), Dr Russell Bentley or use the 'procedures to be followed in case of difficulty' set out in this Handbook. Supervisory arrangements for both full and part-time students should be reviewed at the annual meeting of the supervisory team (see above).
Responsibilities of the Supervisor:
The responsibilities of the supervisor or supervisors, in conjunction with other members of the supervisory team, are as follows: (See Code of Practice 40.)
- to give guidance about: the nature of research and the standards expected in
postgraduate research degrees; the planning of the research programme; literature and sources; requisite techniques; avoidance of plagiarism and the respect of copyright and intellectual property rights;
- to identify with you your training needs, and work with you to plan your individual training programme; to advise on attendance at seminars, taught modules and instruction in appropriate research methods and techniques, and in transferable skills as required; - to establish the pattern and frequency of contact between you, your supervisor(s) and
other members of the supervisory team, in accordance with the requirements laid down by Social Sciences;
- to ensure that you are fully aware of the procedures in Social Sciences for monitoring your progress, upgrading your candidature and changing the status of your candidature - to set the necessary completion dates for successive stages of the work so that the thesis
is submitted within the scheduled period;
- to require written work as appropriate and to return such work in a reasonable time with constructive criticism;
- to maintain contact with you through regular tutorial and seminar meetings, in accordance with University and Social Sciences expectations and in the light of discussions about your particular needs;
- to be accessible to you at other reasonable times when advice is needed;
- to monitor your work, submit the required progress reports, discuss these with you, and give advice on progress, upgrading to PhD and submission;
- to ensure that you are made aware as quickly as possible if your progress is inadequate or the standard of work is below that generally expected and to work with you to develop a constructive plan for its improvement;
- to advise you on ethical and safety issues arising in the course of your research and to assist you in preparing appropriate submissions to the Social Sciences Ethics Committee and undertaking risk assessments where required;
- to provide pastoral support and to refer you to appropriate student support services within the University where necessary;
- to arrange as appropriate for you to talk about your work to staff or graduate seminars or conferences, or to have practice in oral examinations;
- to liaise with external bodies as appropriate and to make arrangements with any external supervisors;
- to encourage publication of work as appropriate;
- to advise you on the required safety procedures as appropriate (see the 'safety' section in this Handbook);
- to ensure that the University's Equal Opportunities Policy is taken into account in all aspects of your experience as a research student;
- to make clear to the student his/her responsibilities as detailed below. Your supervisor’s duties also include:
(a) reporting to Social Sciences on your progress when requested or when necessary; (b) reporting regularly to any grant-awarding body and meeting with the grant-awarding
body’s liaison officers (if any) to discuss progress and problems; (c) approving (or not approving) the payment of grant and expenses;
(d) arranging for you to receive any supplementary advice from appropriate colleagues as necessary.
(e) recommending an External Examiner to the Social Sciences, making necessary arrangements for the oral examination and advising you on the procedures and preparation for the examination. Your main supervisor, or other member of the supervisory team, will not be present at the viva unless you specifically request this. If
attendance is requested supervisors are permitted to be present in a supportive capacity only and are not at liberty to play an active role in the examination process. He/she may provide elucidation and guidance but are not permitted to act as an examiner.
Responsibilities of the Student:
Your supervisor has a responsibility to help you complete the thesis within the time limit. However, the ultimate responsibility for the work is yours. (See Code of Practice 48.) It is your responsibility to:
(a) discuss with your supervisor the type of guidance and comments you find most helpful, and agree a schedule of meetings;
(b) agree with your supervisor your personal research training pathway, and to participate fully in all aspects of this;
(c) take the initiative in raising problems or difficulties, however elementary they may seem, and to indicate to the Postgraduate Research Students Coordinator or the Deputy Head (Education) at an early stage if you feel that the supervision provided for you is
inadequate;
(d) maintain the progress of the work in accordance with the stages agreed with your supervisor, including in particular the presentation of written material as required, in sufficient time to allow for comments and discussion before proceeding to the next stage; (e) agree with your supervisor the amount of time to be devoted to the research and the
timing and duration of any holiday periods;
(f) write annually a brief and realistic formal report on your progress in accordance with Social Sciences procedures;
(g) participate in staff and student seminars, presenting work where appropriate and as guided by the supervisory team;
(h) follow Social Sciences guidelines and procedures for the ethical and safe conduct of fieldwork and data collection, as well as wider health and safety guidelines issued by Social Sciences and the University;
(i) decide when you wish to submit your thesis, taking account of your supervisor’s opinion which is, however, advisory only;
(i) inform your supervisor at once if there is any medical or other difficulty which you feel is affecting your work and progress.
Absence of the Supervisor
If your main supervisor or supervisors are likely to be absent from the University for a significant period (normally regarded as in excess of one month), it is the responsibility of the supervisory team to put in place arrangements for continuing effective supervision during their absence. In some cases it may be possible for the main supervisor or supervisors to continue active
involvement in supervision through e-mail and other forms of contact. However, in all such cases the arrangements to be made should be clearly documented, and it will be the responsibility of the supervisory team to submit such arrangements to the Postgraduate Research Students Coordinator for approval. (See Code of Practice 46.)
Absence of the Student
Holidays: Full-time research students may, with the prior agreement of their supervisory team
(in practice this will normally be the main supervisor), take up to eight weeks' holiday for each year of their candidature, including public holidays. For part-time students this is applicable on a pro-rata basis. Holidays should not normally be taken during the academic term.
Ill-health: If you have a short period of illness, you may notify these using self-certification
forms available from the Postgraduate Research Office or the Student Services Centre. For periods of illness longer than five days, and for students in receipt of a medical certificate confirming they are unable to pursue their studies for medical reasons, students must discuss
the impact of the illness on their studies with their main supervisor, or designated co-ordinator of their supervisory team (see UoS General Regulation 8 - Section IV of the University
Calendar http://www.calendar.soton.ac.uk/). This also applies to part-time students on a pro-rata basis. Research Council funded students should check the terms of their studentship with regard to advising the Council of any absence due to illness and the provision of a medical certificate. It is good practice for students to keep their main supervisor, or co-ordinator, advised of any short periods of illness, particularly if these are frequent, so that any potential impact on
progress can be identified and any additional support provided if thought necessary. (See Code
of Practice 61-62)
Research Training
Participation in research training activities is an integral part of candidature for a research degree. The precise nature and extent of such training will depend upon your prior experience and qualifications (e.g. whether or not you have completed a Masters programme approved by the Economic and Social Research Council for research training purposes), your specific subject area of research and your particular needs. For this reason we stress the importance of the development by the supervisor and the research student of a formal plan of research training during each year of candidature. Such training will typically cover not only skills directly related to your own research, but also the acquisition of wider skills in such areas as group working, communication skills and career development. A research training needs analysis should be performed each year. To register for Social Sciences modules the yellow registration form, available from Postgraduate Research Office or student pigeonholes, should be completed by the student, and signed by the supervisor and returned to the Postgraduate Research Office to enable registration.
At the outset of your candidature, your supervisory team will agree an initial set of research training activities to be undertaken during your first year of candidature. This may involve attendance at appropriate modules from relevant Masters programmes, at short courses or workshops organised by the Researcher Development and Graduate Centre (RDGC) or, in some cases, attendance at modules taught in other disciplines or (in exceptional cases) at other institutions. For each subsequent year of study you will be required to work with your
supervisory team, through the annual reporting process, to develop a research training plan for the coming year, and to report on these activities at the end of the year. (See Code of Practice 27-31.) The Researcher Development and Graduate Centre (RDGC) is a ‘virtual organisation’,
designed to bring together graduate students from across the Faculties. As well as the
programme of short courses and workshops, there is an annual Research Students’ Conference which you will be expected to attend and contribute to, and a range of other activities are offered in which you will be encouraged to participate. Full details of these courses and activities can be found at http://www.soton.ac.uk/gradschools/.
Research Seminars
Each Division within the Social Sciences runs a Research Seminar series which you are required to attend and participate in presentations. Further details are available in the section on research training. Both Social Sciences and the Divisions run research seminar series with internal and external speakers and you are strongly encouraged to attend appropriate series as agreed with your supervisor. Details of Research Seminars run within Social Sciences can be found on the website at http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/seminars/. You are also most welcome to attend any research seminar organised anywhere in the University. (See Code of Practice 27-31.)
Research Training in Social Sciences
Social Sciences provide a number of programmes which are recognised for the provision of research training in their respective disciplines. It is envisaged that the provision of research training for those who have not completed ESRC approved training programmes will initially take place primarily through participation in relevant modules from these programmes. Students may also participate in appropriate modules provided by other disciplines, where appropriate, and will be expected to attend appropriate courses or workshops provided by the Researcher Development and Graduate Centre (RDGC). Arrangements for research training in subsequent years will be agreed with your supervisory team as part of the annual review process.
Objectives of Research Training
The principal aims of research training are:(i) to facilitate the preparation and successful completion of your postgraduate thesis;
(ii) to prepare you for research within the social sciences, so that you become conversant with key research methods in social science;
(iii) to develop your critical awareness of, and your capacity to evaluate, the complexity of theories and explanations in social science;
(iv) to give you knowledge of the basic principles of research strategy and design so that you can formulate researchable issues and construct effective research
programmes;
(v) to help you to identify and develop appropriate methodological skills to enable you to carry out your research;
(vi) to help you develop the wider skills required for your future involvement with research activity and career development;
(vii) to provide you with access to expertise from outside your immediate disciplinary group (viii) to create a forum of peers so that you can discuss issues relating to postgraduate research and provide mutual support.
At the outset of your studies you will discuss your individual training requirements with your supervisor and supervisory team and together reach an agreement about the training modules which should be followed. Your training programme will depend upon your discipline, the subject and nature of research, and your experience of research methodologies. You will need to take into account which modules are compulsory for students in your discipline area. Typically full-time students take the majority of their research training modules in year 1, but it is expected that this training will continue into future years, drawing on subject-specific activities as well as those provided by the Researcher Development and Graduate Centre. Part-time students will usually spread their research training over a longer period, depending on their specific needs, prior experience, etc. Please take timetabling constraints into account when planning your pathway through the modules available.
Divisional Research Training Schemes within Social
Sciences
Each Division organises its own training programmes, reflecting the needs and prior experience of the individual students. Your personal training programme will be arranged in the light of the available training opportunities. Brief details of the specific arrangements made for students in individual Divisions of Social Sciences are given below.
Economics
All research students in Economics are required to undertake a programme of advanced modules in economics and econometrics during the first two years of registration. These modules are designed specifically for research students to extend their knowledge and understanding of developments at the frontiers of the subject. Students are normally required to take three PhD-level courses. Where appropriate, one of these may be a specialist option module taken from the Master’s programme. The typical sequence involves Advanced Topics in Macroeconomics, Advanced Topics in Microeconomics and Advanced Topics in Econometrics. Students who are registered for the Integrated PhD programme are required to take the full taught component of the Master's programme during their first year of registration. The programme of advanced courses to be taken by an individual student is determined in consultation with their supervisor and other members of their supervisory team and you may be required to complete additional modules from the Master’s programmes in Economics. All modules are assessed and research students are required to achieve Doctoral standard (a minimum of 60%) in these modules for upgrade of registration from MPhil to PhD. Note that all three Topics may not necessarily be offered within the same year. In addition students will be required to develop their generic skills in such areas as communication, group working and presentation by attendance at relevant activities organized by the Faculty Graduate School.
Every research student is required to participate in the MPhil/PhD workshops organised by the Division; both presenting their own research to the group and acting as a discussant on the research of other students. Research students are expected to attend the regular Division seminars and workshops at which speakers (internal and external) present research papers on a range of economic topics.
Gerontology
All students in the Centre for Research on Ageing have a personal training programme designed in consultation with their supervisor(s). Students may be required to take relevant modules from the Centre’s MSc Gerontology programme and these may be supplemented with appropriate modules from other MSc programmes in the Social Sciences. Students are also expected to continue their training as appropriate to their research topic through attendance at training events organised by the Researcher Development and Graduate Centre. The Centre runs a
regular Postgraduate Forum where students are encouraged to discuss substantive and methodological topics and problems which they encounter during their research. Students are encouraged to attend Centre seminars and conferences which provide further opportunities for research students to develop their ideas and be stimulated by external and international speakers. Research students are also expected to participate in the annual Postgraduate
Research Day which the Centre organises and attend the Researcher Development and Graduate Centre annual conference.
International Comparative Studies
All research students in the Centre for Contemporary China are required to undertake two modules in MSc in International Comparative Studies, ICOM6002 and ICOM6003 which they should register and pass with 60% or above in the first two years of registration. They are also encouraged to take relevant MSc courses in Economics and Politics to strengthen their research ability. There are advanced PhD training courses available in Economics to those whose research may involve advanced economic or econometric theories or techniques.
Politics and International Relations
From October 2010, all PAIR research students will be enrolled in PAIR’s postgraduate training programme. This programme offers subject-specific training for doctoral research in political theory, political science and international relations. It examines some of the practical, theoretical and methodological concerns involved in planning and writing a thesis. It aims to assist
students in thinking critically about their own research design and project and, by engaging intellectually with other research designs and projects, in reflecting more generally on the nature of the PhD itself. It focuses, in particular, on the theoretical, analytical and methodological issues involved in producing doctoral research of a publishable quality and the practical issues that need to be negotiated if this is to be achieved within the specified time-frame. More broadly, the programme is designed not only to help students develop a critical awareness of the nature of the research process, but also develop other skills, such as those pertaining to teaching, funding, publishing, and presenting in conferences. The programme runs over three years (or equivalent for part-time students) and students are awarded 10 credits towards the successful completion at the end of each year. The postgraduate training programme is obligatory and its successful completion will enable research students to submit their dissertation and sit the viva at the end of the research period. The key workshops of the programme are:
YEAR 1 (or part-time equivalent)
Workshop 1: Introduction: What is a PhD? Research Questions, PhD structure/content,
Contributions to Literature
Workshop 2: The Analytical Trinity: Ontology, Epistemology and Methodology Workshop 3: Actors and Contexts/Agency and Structure
Workshop 4: Publications, conferences and developing a CV Workshop 5: Teaching and Lecturing during the PhD
Workshop 6 (C2G2 Seminar(s)): Student Presentations of PhD research projects Workshop 7: From MPhil to PhD – the upgrade process
Year 2 (or part-time equivalent)
Workshop 1: Review article (3000 words review article of one key book in own area of research)
to be assessed by supervisor
Workshop 2: Organising field research and collecting data Workshop 3: Publications, conferences and developing a CV Year 3 (or part-time equivalent)
Workshop 1 (C2G2 Seminar(s)): Presentation of PhD research
Workshop 2: The viva and assessment process: what can the examiners legitimately expect of
me?
Workshop 3: Publications, conferences and developing a CV Workshop 4: Post-Doc funding
Our research students, and the postgraduate training programme, are an important part of PAIR and its Centre for Citizenship, Governance and Globalisation (C2G2). All our research students are assigned to C2G2 and are expected to actively participate in and contribute to its seminars and ongoing research.
As part of the postgraduate training programme, research students who have not previously undertaken research training, or with only partial training, will also be required to attend and pass some of the following modules in Year 1, which are components of the relevant ESRC-recognised research training MSc programmes:
INTR6001 Global Politics and International Relations POLI6003 Citizenship and Democracy
INTR6024 Philosophy, Methodology and Research Design STAT6085 Design and Statistical Data Analysis of Surveys SOCI6041 Qualitative Methods
The actual package of training courses to be undertaken will be agreed by the student and his or her supervisor(s). Beyond PAIR Division, our research students will also be expected to attend relevant workshops and courses organized by the Researcher Development and Graduate Centre. All students are required to attend and participate in seminars organised at this level for
research students at which work in progress is discussed.
Social Statistics
All research students in the Division have a personal training programme which is drawn up in consultation with their supervisor(s) and supervisory team. This will include attendance at an appropriate selection of modules from the MSc in Demography, MSc in Social Statistics, MSc in Social Statistics (Research Methods) and MSc in Official Statistics programmes. In addition, for some students, attendance at a short Centre for Applied Social Surveys (CASS) course may also be advised for specific survey analysis topics (CASS is an Economic and Social Research Council-supported centre operating within the Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute). In addition students will develop their wider generic skills through attendance at sessions organized by the Researcher Development and Graduate Centre.
Research students are also expected to attend relevant research seminars, including
presentations by PhD students, staff, and invited speakers. These seminars are likely to include the Applications and Policy seminars and/or the Methodology seminars organised by
Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute (S3RI) and the general Statistics Research Seminars also organised by S3RI.
Students will be asked to contribute at least twice to either the Applications and Policy or the Methodology seminar series during their PhD study. The first seminar will be given towards the end of the first semester of research, and a second before the MPhil upgrade. A third optional seminar is given towards the end of the third year of research.
Social Work Studies
Initial training for research is primarily undertaken via modules drawn from the relevant ESRC recognised MSc in Professional Studies (Research Methods). ESRC-funded students will be expected to have completed either this Masters programme or an equivalent ESRC recognised programme before registering for a higher degree. Particular modules delivered within the School, for example, Qualitative Methods or Survey Design, may also be required to meet specific training needs. It may be appropriate for individual students to take modules from outside the main discipline area – for example, those delivered by other divisions within the Social Sciences. Research students will also be expected to attend seminars within the Division and sessions organised by the Researcher Development and Graduate Centre.
Sociology and Social Policy
A training programme will be drawn up by the student and their supervisor(s) in consultation with the Supervisory team and the Postgraduate Research Tutor. Students who have NOT taken an ESRC recognised research training Masters programme will be required to take relevant modules from the divisional MSc programme and these may be supplemented with appropriate modules from other MSC programmes in Social Sciences. Students who hold an ESRC recognised Masters are expected to continue their training as appropriate to their research topic through attendance at activities organized by the Researcher Development and Graduate Centre. The Division runs a regular forum for postgraduate students which is devoted entirely to discussing substantive and methodological topics and problems which research students face. Regular seminars provide an opportunity for research students to discuss their own plans and to develop their ideas with each other in a supportive environment. Research students are expected to attend the regular staff-postgraduate seminars held in the Division at which speakers present papers based on their current research. Finally, research students are expected to attend the two
yearly Postgraduate Research Days: one organised by the Division and one organised by the Researcher Development and Graduate Centre.
Research Training Modules Available to 'External'
Students
A number of Divisions run research training modules which, while primarily intended for students within those Divisions, may be available to other students on the recommendation of their supervisor and with the agreement of the Division concerned. Some modules may also be available within other disciplines forming part of the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences. If
you wish to attend one of these modules, please check with the convenor of the module concerned before registering.
These modules are listed below and details are available via the website shown:
Economics
The following modules may be available and of interest to students outside Economics, subject to the required pre-requisites:
ECON6002 Econometrics II
ECON6003 Quantitative Economics II ECON6004 Quantitative Methods
ECON6005 International Macroeconomics ECON6006 Economic Analysis
ECON6007 Labour Economics ECON6008 Industrial Economics
ECON6011 Advanced Topics in Econometrics ECON6015 Finance
ECON6016 International Trade ECON6021 Microeconomics
ECON6022 Applied Development Economics ECON6023 Macroeconomics
ECON6024 Econometrics I
ECON6025 Topics in Economic Theory
ECON6026 Principles of Economic Development ECON6032 Topics in Macroeconomics
Details may be found from http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/pgt/booklets.html
Gerontology
The following modules are available to students from outside Gerontology from 2010/11: GERO6017 Researching Contemporary Issues in Ageing Societies (semester 1)
GERO6018 Perspectives in Gerontology (semester 1)
GERO6019 Demographic Change, Ageing and Globalisation (semester 2) GERO6020 Ageing, Health and Well-being (semester 2)
Details may be found from http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/pgt/booklets.html
International Comparative Studies
The following modules may be available and of interest to students outside Centre for Contemporary China, subject to the required pre-requisites:
ICOM 6002 Chinese Economic Reform in Comparative Perspective ICOM 6003 Divergent Modernities? China and Europe Compared
Details may be found from http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/pgt/booklets.html
Politics and International Relations
INTR6024 Philosophy, Methodology and Research Design INTR6001 Global Politics and International Relations POLI6003 Citizenship and Democracy
Details may be found from http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/pgt/booklets.html
Social Statistics
The following modules are likely to be of interest to students outside social statistics: DEMO6020 Demographic Methods I (Semester1)
STAT6076 Survey Data Analysis (Semester1) STAT6086 Survey Methods I (Semester 1)
STAT6085 Design and statistical analysis of surveys (Semester 1) STAT6082 Research Skills, Strategy and Design (Semester 1)
Other modules may be available if students require training in more detailed aspects of statistics or demography.
Details of all modules apart from STAT6085 are available in the Social Statistics MSc handbook, which can be accessed at http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/pgt/booklets.html.
For details of STAT6085 please contact Dr Dave Holmes ([email protected]).
Social Work Studies
The following modules are likely to be of interest to students outside Social Work No Modules are available to students outside of Social Works Studies
Details may be found from http://www.southampton.ac.uk/sws
Sociology and Social Policy
The following modules are likely to be of interest to students outside Sociology and Social Policy SOCI6041 Qualitative Methods
SOCI6024 Philosophy and Methods of Social Research
Details may be found from http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/pgt/booklets.html
Candidature
Duration of Candidature
The University’s regulations stipulate minimum and maximum periods of candidature, as follows:
Minimum* Maximum
MPhil PT 24 months 84 months
FT 12 months 48 months
PhD PT 36 months 84 months
FT 24 months 48 months
* Full or part-time fees must be paid for the whole of the minimum period of candidature. In very exceptional circumstances a student may be permitted to submit a thesis in less than the
minimum time period specified, such submission requiring approval by the Associate Dean of the Faculty on the basis of a recommendation from the Head of Social Sciences.
In practice it is highly unusual to complete all the necessary work to the required standard within the minimum period. Full-time students are required to submit not later than 4 years from the first date of registration. Part-time students are required to submit not later than 7 years from the first date of registration. If you are a part-time student, you should ensure that you have enough time away from your employment or other commitments to complete your research within the
prescribed time. Similarly, if you are full-time, you must make every effort to complete your thesis in draft form before leaving the University and taking up employment. It is in your interest to ensure that you do this, so that you will be in a position to submit your thesis within the permitted period of candidature. Taking up employment may not be seen as meeting the requirement to demonstrate that ‘exceptional unforeseen circumstances’ have affected progress should you
subsequently not complete on time and wish to apply for an extension of candidature. (See Regs
15-16, Code of Practice 33-36.)
Temporary suspension of your studies
Should you experience personal, medical or other unforeseeable problems beyond your control (including temporary inability to gain access to essential facilities) which mean that you cannot maintain your normal progress, you may be permitted a period of suspension. Periods of suspension do not count towards the maximum period of candidature for an MPhil or PhD, and students in suspended registration pay no fees for the relevant period. If you experience such difficulties this must be drawn to the attention of your supervisor as soon as the situation
occurs, for appropriate action, as requests for retrospective suspension are unlikely to be
granted. In exceptional or unforeseeable circumstances students maybe permitted to suspend when in nominal registration. Suspensions will normally be granted for a defined period not exceeding 12 months. Students may apply to extend a period of suspension for further periods of up to 12 months at a time; however suspensions covering periods greater than 24 months continuously will normally be granted only under the most exceptional circumstances. Students can also return earlier from a period of approved suspension, if they indicate in writing their wish to do so. According to University regulations, students in suspension are not entitled to supervision or to access to University facilities during this period. However, where it is judged that there is a need, access to services can be granted on an individual student basis with the support of your supervisor and approval of the PGR Students Coordinator. In the case of Research Council or sponsor-funded students, due regard should be given to Research Council or sponsor rules governing suspension. To recommend a period of suspension you should submit a written request and your supervisor must complete a pro-forma available at
http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/pgr/forms.html or from the Postgraduate Research Office, Room 2033, Level 2, Building 58. (See Regs 21-22.)
Permanent withdrawal from your studies
If you no longer wish to continue with your studies you should complete a Withdrawal Notification form, following all the instructions given.
Changes of Candidature
You may be permitted to transfer from full to part-time candidature or vice versa, provided that Social Sciences is satisfied with the proposed arrangements for supervision, and that the research project being undertaken may appropriately be carried out in that mode. Any such changes will affect the duration of candidature. In cases where there have been mixed periods of full-time and part-time candidature, the maximum permitted period is determined on the basis that periods of part-time candidature are deemed to be equivalent to four sevenths of an equal period of full-time candidature or two thirds if the date of first registration was before 2003. This is applied
differentially depending whether the student’s candidature is judged to be mainly full-time or part-time. The regulations applying to mixed registration may be found in Section V of the University Calendar (see Code of Practice 33-36). A student’s candidature for University purposes is always calculated from the date of first registration. It is your responsibility to make sure you understand how much candidature remains to you. If your candidature is governed by the requirements of
a funding body, you are advised that your funding body may not recognise such changes of candidature as having any effect on your submission date and under these circumstances you would be expected to submit by the original deadline. Students registered as overseas for
fees, and who have had entry to this country authorised on the basis of being in full-time
education, will not normally be permitted to transfer to part-time candidature (please refer to the visa and immigration website at http://www.soton.ac.uk/international/join_us/visas.html).
The Nominal Roll
University Regulations (see the University Calendar) allow a candidate to be placed on the ‘nominal roll’ after they have completed their full and/or part-time minimum period of
candidature, MPhil or PhD, and require no further supervision. A fee for nominal registration will be payable six months after transfer if submission has not taken place by this date. Your supervisory team will normally only recommend that you be placed on the nominal roll after at least a draft version of the entire thesis has been completed. Transfer to nominal registration will not be permitted purely for financial reasons and it should not be assumed that coming to the end of your studentship will mean that it will be recommended that you transfer to the nominal roll. If you suspend your candidature you are required to return to full or part-time registration for at least one month prior to transfer to the nominal roll. The period on the
nominal roll cannot exceed one year without the approval of Social Sciences Board. NOTE:
periods on the nominal roll count in full towards the maximum periods of candidature for the degree of MPhil and PhD. Candidates on the nominal roll are not entitled to receive further supervision. To recommend a transfer to the nominal roll your Supervisory team must
complete a pro-forma available at http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/pgr/forms.html, or from the Postgraduate Research Office, Room 2033, Level 2, Building 58. (See Regs 17-20, Code of
Practice 73-74.)
Extension of Candidature
In exceptional and unforeseen circumstances if you are unable to complete your thesis within the maximum time allowed you may apply for an extension of candidature. Applications must be submitted via your supervisor, before the candidature expires, on a pro-forma available at http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/pgr/forms.html or from the Postgraduate Research Office, Room 2033, Level 2, Building 58.
In reaching a decision the following factors are likely to be taken into account: whether steady progress is being maintained and work has been produced recently; the likelihood of completion (i.e. how much remains to be done; whether the candidate has access to time and facilities); whether this is the first such request, and, if not, how much has been completed during the previous extension period; whether there are any personal or medical factors to be taken into consideration. The first extension will normally be for six months. Up to eighteen months may be allowed in total and this will be exceeded only in very exceptional circumstances. It will normally be a condition of an extension that students be registered in part-time candidature (i.e. not on the nominal roll). An action plan should be agreed, and attached to the pro-forma, setting out what needs to be achieved during the extension period. Periods of extension are added to the maximum period of candidature. (See Regs 15-16 and 23-24 , Code of Practice 35.)
MPhil Registration and Upgrading to PhD
The University requires all research students to register initially for the MPhil. There is no fixed rule about when a student’s registration is changed to a PhD but it must be not less than six
months before submission of a thesis for a PhD award. For full-time students the most
common time is in the summer term of their second year. It should be noted that ESRC-funded
students must complete transfer procedures before entering their third year of study as a condition of continued funding.
University Regulations require that, for a student to be upgraded, the following criteria must be met:
i) that the student has demonstrated the ability to manage the research project, to become proficient in the special field of research involved, and to achieve success at PhD level given adequate motivation and perseverance.
ii) that the project being undertaken is of sufficient scope, originality and theoretical interest to constitute a genuine contribution to the subject in the form of the understanding of a problem, the advancement of knowledge or the generation of new ideas.
Your registration will only be upgraded to PhD after you have already produced work sufficient in quantity and quality to justify confidence in your ability to complete a satisfactory PhD. Normally this should include:
1. Draft chapters of the research, including a review of relevant literature.
2. An account of the work undertaken so far (which may take the form of a seminar presentation), and a programme for its completion. This must include a detailed outline of the proposed structure of the thesis.
3. If a field study is being undertaken copies of the research instruments being used - interview schedules, questionnaires, etc. - should be included, together with an indication of how the material is likely to be analysed.
It should be emphasised that what is needed is evidence that the project is likely to be completed at a satisfactory level. The presentation of draft material is particularly important. Any evidence of capability in some public arena e.g. through a seminar presentation or published work, may also be considered.
In addition there must be some form of viva voce examination based on the written submission for transfer. This will be conducted by a specially constituted upgrade panel, led by an assessor who has not had any direct involvement in the supervision of your research. The panel will normally also include your main supervisor (s) and other members of your supervisory team.
Your supervisor will advise you at the appropriate time as to the exact requirements within the general guidelines above. Recommendations for upgrade must be made by your Upgrade Panel to
Social Sciences Board. There is a simple proforma for the Panel to complete, to make this recommendation, and written feedback should be attached to the pro-forma.
The recommendation to upgrade from MPhil to PhD will be made by an upgrade panel constituted for the purpose and led by an independent assessor. The upgrade panel will consist of at least the main supervisor, and a member of academic staff who has had no direct involvement in the research and who will act as ‘assessor’; in addition, a second member of the supervisory team will normally be included. Written feedback must be given to the student whether successful or
unsuccessful. Students who have been successful in their upgrade should receive written feedback
on the upgrade process, highlighting, where appropriate, any potential areas of concern. If the recommendation is not to allow transfer, the candidate must be given a written report giving a statement of the reasons, guidance regarding any ways in which s/he might reach the required standard, and a date when the recommendation might be reviewed. If after this review the Upgrade Panel does not recommend upgrading and if you wish to question this opinion the matter will be reviewed by the Head of Social Sciences in the light of the available reports and recommendations, together with such representations as you wish to make. In the event of failure to agree, students may submit a formal appeal against a decision not to permit upgrade. See the relevant section of this booklet. (See Regs 11, Code of Practice 66-71.)
Facilities
Each full-time research student in Social Sciences will have the choice of an allocated desk and computer, or a laptop and use of a hot desk, located in one of the research students’ areas on levels 1 and 2 of the Murray Building. If you have problems with using your computer (hardware or software) please contact the iSolutions (see above). Part-time students will have access to desks and computing facilities in a specially designated area of level 2. All research students will have access to the University’s Library, iSolutions and Careers Advisory Services, and details of the support they can provide are given in Appendix 6. Research students will have access to telephones, fax, photocopying and printing facilities. You will be given details of these facilities and your access to them during the induction process held at the outset of your first year of candidature. (See Code of Practice 52.)
Computing
Computing support and advice is provided to all research students by iSolutions Group who can be contacted by email ([email protected]) or by telephone (ext 25656). The iSolutions Group is your first point of contact should you have any computing enquiries or problems.
iSolutions provide a range of services including general support and troubleshooting, setting up computer and email accounts, setting up new computers, installing software and developing web sites as well as developing and maintaining advanced services such as out email system complete with spam and virus detection, our own servers for file store and desktop management and maintaining a networked printing service. The iSolutions Group also has a web site at
http://www.southampton.ac.uk/isolutions/computing/hpc. See Appendix 6 for further support provided by the University’s iSolutions Group.
iSolutions provides over 1,400 computers for learning and teaching purposes. They are located in rooms on all major campuses and in most halls of residence. Many of these rooms are open evenings and weekends with some offering 24-hour opening. Maps of workstation locations are posted around Bldg 58. Full information including regulations about iSolutions can be found online. Please contact the IS Service Line with enquiries about the facilities (phone 25656 internal, 023 8059 5656 external, or email [email protected].
As a student of the University you are entitled to use iSolutions facilities and you are bound by the regulations for their use. When using email, you are advised to treat correspondence with the same care as you would when using paper.
PGR Blackboard
Social Sciences maintains a Blackboard site for MPhil/PhD students. As an MPhil/PhD student, you will automatically be enrolled and have access to the site. The site contains general information about all aspect of life as a Postgraduate Research Student, and is the main way in which training opportunities, workshops and seminars of interest to Postgraduate Research, new funding opportunities, and careers information are publicised. You are also welcome to use the site as a discussion forum, or for advertising events you think might be of interest to fellow
students. The site is updated at least once a week (and more often if necessary). Please check it regularly and use it!
Ethical Issues and Approval
Social Sciences expects all students to be aware of potential ethical implications of their
research, and to conduct their research accordingly. Ethical guidelines are set out in appendix 2. Prior to commencement of their fieldwork or data collection all research students must draw up, in conjunction with their supervisor or supervisory team, a research proposal which identifies any ethical issues arising in the conduct of the proposed research and indicates how these will be addressed. An Ethics Review Checklist must be completed and students should read the guidelines at the postgraduate research zone http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/pgr/ethics.html. The checklist should be completed no later than the end of the first semester to ensure that discussion with supervisors is initiated at an early stage, and updated annually if appropriate. If required, a full application to the Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee should be
submitted at an appropriate stage in the research, i.e. after the research protocol has been fully developed and (where appropriate) survey instruments have been designed. Any ethical issues identified will be considered by the Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee, which may either approve the proposal or recommend amendments to either the design of the research or the measures to be taken to address the ethical implications. It is the responsibility of both student and supervisor(s) to ensure that no data collection or field work commences until Ethics
Committee approval is given, and to ensure that the measures approved are implemented in practice. Should plans for fieldwork or data collection subsequently undergo significant changes, further Ethics Committee approval must be sought for these changes. (See Code of
Practice 32.)
Risk Assessment for Dissertations/Theses
All students undertaking work for dissertations/theses must complete a risk assessment form which can be downloaded from http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/safety/riskassessment.html from the relevant UG/PGT zone:
Undergraduate Zone/Health and Safety/Risk Assessment Postgraduate Taught Zone/Health and Safety/Risk Assessment Postgraduate Research Zone/Health and Safety/Risk Assessment
If your work involves fieldwork of any kind, you must not proceed with this until this form has been reviewed and permission has been granted. You must discuss with your supervisor or other designated person in Social Sciences the safety implications of any proposed research or
fieldwork, and where the research work involves, for example, any off-campus work strategies developed either to eradicate or to minimise risk.
Fieldwork is regarded as any activity undertaken for the purpose of your research which involves the collection of information from others, whether by means of survey, observation, interview or other means such as internet or e-mail contact either in the United Kingdom or overseas. It also encompasses visits to sites outside the University for the collection of material relating to your dissertation/thesis e.g. consultation of documentary sources.
Students who change their original research plans will have to complete a new risk assessment form.
Students planning to collect material in countries other than the UK should consult the Social Sciences guidelines on risk assessment for international travel at the website below. Contact details must also be left behind within Social Sciences.
http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/safety/index.html
Students must bear in mind their own personal safety when undertaking fieldwork, and be aware that certain types of research may present more risks than others. The Social Research
Association has produced a very useful guide for minimising risk in research. This can be accessed on-line at http://www.the-sra.org.uk/staying_safe.htm. See Appendix 4.
The following general points should be borne in mind for minimising personal risk:
When undertaking fieldwork, always ensure that a relative, friend or other responsible person knows where you are going and your expected start and finishing time.
After completing your fieldwork trip, contact this person in order to let them know that you have returned safely. Call in promptly after fieldwork, or inform your contact if your
fieldwork is likely to overrun its estimated time.
If you are interviewing a named respondent, leave details of this person with your contact, but ensure these details are destroyed once you have returned safely in order to respect your respondents' anonymity.
Wherever possible conduct fieldwork in daylight hours and in busy public spaces, rather than in a respondent's own home. Consider the possibility of conducting fieldwork in pairs as an additional measure. If you have a mobile phone, take it with you.
If you feel uncomfortable in a fieldwork situation follow your instincts and terminate the fieldwork at the first opportunity. All such incidents should be reported to your supervisor as soon as possible.
You must discuss with your supervisor or supervisory team the safety implications of any proposed research or fieldwork. A formal risk assessment must be carried out, in conjunction with your supervisor, and strategies developed either to eradicate or to minimise risk. The risk assessment form above should be completed no later than the end of the first term and updated annually if appropriate. Students should under no circumstances commence fieldwork or interviews before this process has been undertaken. In situations where the supervisory team has concerns regarding safety issues in respect of your fieldwork or data collection, they will need to consult with the Social Sciences Safety Officer and the Postgraduate Research Student Coordinator, and in exceptional cases it may be necessary to require greater or lesser
modifications of the design of your research. It is therefore important that you discuss potential safety issues with your supervisor or supervisory team at the earliest opportunity. This is especially important if you are planning to conduct fieldwork or data collection abroad. A risk assessment must also be carried out for all University business which involves
international travel, including travel to conferences. Full details including forms and details of the University’s travel insurance cover can be found online at
http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/safety/riskassessmentpgr.html .
Postgraduate Students’ Paid Teaching Work
Many postgraduate students will be offered the opportunity to participate in teaching during their programme. It is policy that all students participating in teaching must attend the Faculty training course for part-time tutors held in October/November each year. The amount of teaching
undertaken (including time for preparation and marking) must be such that it does not interfere with the student’s research activity and research training, and accordingly all such teaching must be approved by the student’s supervisor(s). Social Sciences has a Code of Practice for
Postgraduate Teaching Assistants which will be provided to you when you undertake part-time teaching. A copy of the PGTA Code of Practice can also be found at
http://www.soton.ac.uk/socscinet/pgr/forms.html. (See Code of Practice 57.)
In addition to the basic training which all students are required to undertake as a condition of teaching, the University offers more advanced Masters level modules for postgraduate students to further develop their teaching skills. For further information on these, please see the website http://www.southampton.ac.uk/lateu/professional_development/pilt.html.
Quality Assurance and Monitoring of Progress
Quality Assurance
Social Sciences is responsible for ensuring that it is fulfilling the requirements of the University’s Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidature and Supervision, and developing and disseminating good practice in research training and supervision. The Faculty has a monitoring role and also a role in encouraging and sharing best practice across through the Researcher Development and Graduate Centre.
We use the annual report to identify the actions we are taking to enhance the student
experience. Students’ and Supervisors’ annual progress reports also have an important role in the quality assurance and enhancement process, in drawing attention to problems and assisting in the identification of best practice. (See Code of Practice 63-64.)
Annual Monitoring Reports: Students' Annual Progress Report
All students are required to produce a short written report on progress each year. This may coincide with a full Supervisory Team meeting to review your progress. The main purpose of these reports is to ensure that students are progressing satisfactorily towards the completion of their thesis within the agreed timescale, and to enable any difficulties to be identified and addressed at an early stage. The reports will be read by the Postgraduate Research Students Coordinator and Education Manager (Programme Support) and are retained on student files for reference. Any specific problems identified would normally be raised with the relevant supervisor or divisional postgraduate research coordinator in the first instance. More general issues (for example, about research training) would be referred to the appropriate Committee of Social Sciences for discussion (without identifying those students who had raised the issues).Proformas will be sent out in August and reports should be returned VIA your supervisor, to the Postgraduate Research Office, no later than 24 September. If there are any issues
which you feel you cannot
