TABLE OF CONTENTS
Please note that Parts (denoted by bold headers) are individually paginated.
Welcome
00a
Table of Contents
00b
Introduction to the Research Degrees Handbook
00c
Companion Documents 1 Structure of the Handbook 2
The History and Context of Doctoral Education
01
History of the Doctorate 1 The Current National Context 2
The Quality Assurance Agency 3
Research Councils UK 4
The Higher Education Funding Council for England 5
Vitae 6
The UK Council for Graduate Education 7
The Bologna Process and the European Context 7
The Current Institutional Context 8
Anglia Ruskin University’s Strategic Plans for Research 8
Research Students 9
Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008 10
Institutional Research Policy and Management 11
Committee Structures 11
Management and Administration of Research at Faculty Level 12
Administrative Support for Research 12
The Journey: Routes to the Research Degree
02
Defining the Research Degree 1
The Doctorate 2
The Master’s Degree 3
Higher Degrees by Research 4
The ‘traditional’ MPhil/PhD 5
Research Degrees involving Creative Work 5
Doctor of Philosophy or Medicine by Published Work 7
Professional Awards 8
Requirements for the award of a Professional Doctorate / Master’s
Degree / Postgraduate Diploma 10
The Structure of our Research Degrees 10
The MPhil/PhD and MD (Res) – From Registration to Preparation of
Thesis 11
The DProf/MProf/PG Dip Prof – From Registration to Preparation of
Thesis 12
Preparation and Submission of the Thesis 15
Typical Timescales for the Completion of Doctorates 15
Research Supervision
03
The Supervisory Team 1 The Role of Research Degree Candidates in their Supervision 2 The Responsibilities of Supervisors 3 Supervision for Candidates Located Overseas 4 Supervisors’ Timetable Allowance 4 Support and Development Opportunities for Supervisors 5 Best Practice in Research Degree Supervision 6 Some Characteristics of Good Research Supervisions 6 Cohort and Group Tutorials 7 Advising Research Degree Candidates on Skills Training and Development 7 Supporting Thesis Preparation 8 Student Counselling 9
The Life Cycle: Stages, Processes and Requirements from
Initial Enquiry to Graduation
04
Enquiry and Admission 1 Registration and Payment of Fees 2
Obtaining your Student Identification Card 3
International Research Candidates and the new UK Immigration
Regulations 3
Responsibilities of Research Degree Candidates 5
ProgressPlatform 6
University Management of Research Degrees 6 Preparation and Approval of the Research Proposal 6
Review Meetings 8
Intermission of Studies 9 Progression/Confirmation of Candidature for PhD/DProf 10 The Writing Up Stage 10 Submission and Examination 11
Submitting the Thesis 11
Preparing for the Viva 12
The Viva Voce Examination 12
Possible Outcomes 13
Approval, Conferment and Graduation 14 Complaints Procedure 15
The Thesis
05
What makes an excellent thesis? 1
A Good Thesis 3
What Examiners are looking for in the Thesis 3
‘Positive’ Features 4
‘Negative’ Features 5
Original Research 6
Research Worthy of Publication 7
Technical Specifications of the Thesis 8
The Abstract 8
Training and Development
06
Research Skills Training 1
The Development of Skills Training for Researchers 1
The Researcher Development Framework 1
Identification of Training and Development Needs 2 Research Skills Training Provision 2
Compulsory Skills Training 2
Additional Research Skills Training 3
Epigeum Online Skills Training 3
Research Students attending a taught module to support their
research 3
Research Supervisor Development 4
Training provided by HR Services 4
Faculty Training 4
Understanding Research Programme 4
Other Development Opportunities 4
Annual Research Student Conference 5
Vitae 5
Career Development 6
Protecting Yourself and Your Research
07
Integrity in Research 1
Concordat to Support Research Integrity 1
Research Conduct and Misconduct 2
Referencing and Plagiarism 3
Research ethics and governance 4
Research Ethical Approval 4
How to apply for ethical approval 5
Why does research need ethical approval? 5
Ethical committee structure 5
Research Proposal Ethics Checklist 5
Ethical approval procedure 6
Research involving Human Tissue 6
Research involving adults unable to consent 7
Following ethical approval 7
Research Ethics Training 7
RDCS ethics training 7
Queries regarding ethics training 7
Health and Safety Requirements 7
Using Display Screen Equipment 8
Manual Handling 8
Accident Reporting 8
Fire Emergency Procedures 8
Children and Young Persons on the Premises 9
Management of Intellectual Property Rights 9
Anglia Ruskin University and National Facilities, Services
and Support
08
Our Research Facilities and Support 1
Working Environment 1
The Library 1
Inter-Library Loan 2
Access to other libraries 2
ARRO (Anglia Ruskin Research On-Line) 2
IT Services 3
IT Help and Support 3
Research Student Mailbase 3
Specialist Statistical Software 4
Our Support and Advisory Services 4
International Student Advice Service 4
English Language Support for International Candidates 4
Equality and Diversity 5
Supporting Students with Disabilities 5
Anglia Ruskin Transcription Centre 6
Healthcare, First Aid and Emergency Medical Treatment 6
Counselling and Wellbeing Service 6
Chaplaincy 7
Accommodation 7
Student Money Advice Service 7
Employment and Careers 7
Other Facilities available to our Staff and Students 8
Catering 8 Childcare 8 Students’ Union 9 GradSoc 9 Sports Facilities 9 Mumford Theatre 9 Volunteering Service 9
Development and Alumni Network 10
National Services and Support 10
National Postgraduate Committee 10
National Union of Students 10
Prospects 10
Postgraduate Toolbox 11
Postgraduate Studentships 11
Further Reading: Helpful Texts for Research Degree
Candidates and their Supervisors
09
Planning and Managing a Research Degree 1 Research Design and Methodology 2 Writing your Thesis / Academic Writing 4 Research Supervision 5 Research Careers and Leadership 6
Teaching 7
The Viva Voce and Examination 7
Miscellaneous 8
RDCS 6 August 2014
