What is Research Training?

What is Research Training? A Summary of the Programme

The Research Training and Development Programme comprises an induction programme, and a set of centrally-provided modules, workshops and activities co-ordinated by the Graduate School.

 1. Research Skills and Personal Development (PGM0120)
This module aims to give research students a broad knowledge of a range of transferable skills that they can apply in a variety of research contexts. The module will  cover personal development, including skills in negotiating and networking, academic writing, research management, teamworking and writing and presenting a conference paper. The module also covers IT skills, both general and in an applied research context.

 2. Sgiliau Ymchwil a Datblygiad Personol (MOR0120)
Nod y modiwl hwn yw darparu myfyrwyr ymchwil ag ystod eang o sgiliau trosglwyddadwy a fydd o ddefnydd iddynt mewn amryw o gyd-destunau ymchwil.  Bydd yn ymdrin â datblygiad personol, gan gynnwys sgiliau negodi a rhwydweithio, rheoli ymchwil, gweithio mewn tîm ac ysgrifennu a chyflwyno papur cynhadledd.  Bydd hefyd yn ymdrin â sgiliau TG, yn bennaf mewn cyd-destun ymchwil, a materion penodol sy'n codi wrth ymgymryd ag ymchwil yn y Gymraeg, yn ddwyieithog neu'n amlieithog.  

3.  Principles of Research Design (PGM0210)
This module aims to give research students an understanding of the basic principles of research design and strategy.  It will enable them to demonstrate their capacity to: identify and formulate their research questions clearly and succinctly, analyse them or break them down into relevant sets of sub-questions, and, where appropriate, formulate testable hypotheses; explain why their research questions are significant in the context of their discipline/research subfields, what kinds of question theirs epistemologically are, and what kinds of data/materials, or grounds of argumentation, are necessary to address their questions; and to produce a realistic plan of action, paying attention to any legal and ethical issues that they may encounter in their research processes.

To this end, this module provides students with a systematically-guided opportunity to familiarise themselves with key issues of research design in social sciences and related issues in the philosophy of social science and of history, such as: causation and multi-causality; modes of explanation and understanding; the nature of historical knowledge; sampling, sampling error and generalizability; society/history as social/historical constructs; critical functions of social science.

4. Ways of Reading  (PGM0410)
This module, consisting of a two day programme, provides an introduction to different approaches to the interpretation and analysis of texts and types of discourse, including historical and contemporary documents, print and broadcast media, literary material, legal and educational texts. Since contemporary forms of communication are becoming increasingly multi-modal, the module covers both the verbal and visual dimensions of texts and examines some of the ways in which verbal and visual signs are inter-linked in different kinds of texts and in different channels of communication. The aim of the module is to enable students to engage with different methods of text and discourse analysis and to develop an understanding of the ways in which these methods are embedded in particular traditions of theory-building.

5.  Dulliau Darllen (MOR0510)
Modiwl deuddydd dwys yw hwn sy'n rhoi cyflwyniad i wahanol ddulliau o ddehongli a dadansoddi testunau a gwahanol fathau o ddisgwrs, gan gynnwys dogfennau hanesyddol a chyfoes, y cyfryngau a'r gair llafar, deunydd llenyddol a thestunau cyfreithiol. Gan fod cyfathrebu cyfoes yn gynyddol amlfodd o ran ffurf, rhoddir sylw i'r dimensiynau gweledol a llafar mewn testun a'r cydgysylltiadau rhwng y gweledol a'r llafar mewn gwahanol fathau o destun a ffurfiau o gyfathrebu. Nod y modiwl yw galluogi myfyrwyr i weithio gyda gwahanol ddulliau o ddadansoddi testunau a disgyrsiau. Byddant hefyd yn deall sut mae'r dulliau hyn yn perthyn i wahanol draddodiadau damcaniaethol.

6.  Empirical Methods (PGM0620)
The module is an advanced level study of econometrics. Building from basic principles in statistics we will discuss practical applications, both in the interpretation of empirical results and the use of computers to estimate original models. Using a simple example of equity markets the module describes the foundation to classical regression analysis.  Through worked examples and computer exercises, the material in semester 1 will discuss the consequences for the classical model if any of the important underlying assumptions are violated.  This will include details of how diagnostic tests are undertaken and possible solutions when such tests are failed. The second semester builds upon the first in presenting more advanced econometric topics.  The merits and application of different estimators are discussed and students are given the opportunity to develop their modelling skills.  In addition to experience in using further econometric software packages, exercises are structured to develop a critical appreciation of the value and shortcomings of the analytical tools concerned.  

7. Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis Techniques (PGM0910)
This module aims to provide students with a broad knowledge of a range of methodological and analytical skills, which they can apply in a variety of research contexts. The module is aimed at students who have previously studied basic quantitative techniques. The module complements the coverage of quantitative methods offered in PGM0620 (Empirical Methods) which should be followed either as a co-requisite or pre-requisite. This module covers econometric methodologies which can be applied in the context of PhD study in the social sciences. This will include advanced time series analysis, event study methodology and performance measurement. Practical sessions will provide insights to the application of the techniques, including the use of relevant software.

This is complemented by the co-requisite module PGM1120

8. Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis (PGM1010)

This module aims to give students a broad knowledge of a range of methodological and analytical skills, which they can apply in a variety of research contexts. As well as giving students a grounding in the basic principles of quantitative research methodology, the module will (i) look at how data can be described, (ii) introduce a range of statistical tests commonly used, and (iii) explore what the results mean in terms of the research question posed. The module comprises lectures, and the delivery will involve hands-on lab work using an appropriate statistical package.

This is complemented by the co-requisite module  PGM1120

9.  Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis   (PGM1120)                                 
This module aims to give students a broad knowledge of a range of qualitative methodological and analytical skills, which they can apply in a variety of research contexts. The course is designed to give students a grounding in the basic principles of qualitative research methodology. It will (i) provide students with an introduction to the major methods of qualitative data collection and analysis, (ii) show how qualitative data are actively constructed and interpreted by the researcher, and (iii) foster an appreciation of the practical and epistemological concerns raised by qualitative data collection.  Topics include, questionnaire design, interviewing techniques, survey design and qualitative data analysis methods.

This is complemented by the one of the co-requisite modules, either  PGM1010 – Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis or PGM0910 Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis Techniques.

10. Manuscript Skills: Post Medieval Palaeography and Diplomatic (PGM1210)
This module considers the historical development of handwriting (palaeography) in Britain between c1450 and the c1800, the characteristics of specific types of script, the principles of transcription and other editorial methods, and the development of common form in formal documents (diplomatic). Practical and technical skills in reading and transcription are developed through applying theory to practice in a wide range of manuscript material under careful guidance.

11. Using Manuscript Sources for Medieval Studies: palaeography, diplomatic and context (PGM1420)
In order to read, interpret and transcribe the handwritten sources that survive from medieval and early modern times, students and researchers must gain a good understanding of the specific styles of handwriting in use at those times and appreciate that formal documents contain significant elements of ‘common form’ that control their overall structure and phraseology and reflect their function within the administrative context in which they were produced.  Three areas of knowledge are necessary for dealing with these issues: palaeography (the study of old handwriting), diplomatic (the study of the form and structure of official documents), and administrative history (which provides the context within which documents and other writings were created). The module also provides support in reading and understanding Latin and archaic language.

12.  Advanced Research Methods Packages
These Packages are designed to give you the opportunity for highly focused advanced training in a wide range of methods and issues in qualitative research.  A Package typically takes the form of three two-hour sessions, involving you in close examination of one method or issue and sometimes a closing exercise.  In the past, Packages were offered on: analysing ‘talk’; self-reflective writing and analysis; and case study research and causal inference.  There was strong postgraduate take up of these sessions.

During the Autumn term a list of the Packages being offered in the academic year 2012-13 will be advertised and you can register for them using the online booking system. You are advised to meet with your supervisor, to discuss with him/her whether there are any which are either directly connected with your research, or which would constitute an important widening of your skills and knowledge.  The precise dates when each Package will run will be determined by arrangement between its coordinator and those who sign up for it.  They can be at any point across the year.

13. Writing and Language Support
Student Support provides advice and tuition on academic writing issues. Some of the writing advice is covered in the writing sessions within the Year 1 Graduate Workshop, but students who want to continue with academic writing issues after attending these sessions should contact the Graduate School to pursue their interest.

14. Language Training (languages other than English)
For training in languages other than English, research students can enrol on a range of language modules at AU (including Welsh, French, German, Italian and Spanish) or attend an external language course or courses, or both. This provision may be arranged according to individual needs by the students’ departments via the Graduate School.

15. Postgraduate Skills Training Programme
All UK Universities and funding bodies now require postgraduate research students to develop a generic skill-set during their studies by attending structured training courses and other appropriate training and developmental activities.  The Research Councils expect that funded PhD students undertake 10 days a year of transferable skills training.  All PhD students at AU are advised to undertake 30 days of training over the course of their PhD.  These 30 days can include 20 days structured training courses and 10 days of developmental or ‘on the job’ training.  AU recommends that MPhil students take the equivalent of 5 days of structured training each year.  To help to meet these skills requirements, the AU Postgraduate Skills Training Programme offers a wide range of workshops, short training courses and other activities designed to help students develop the skills required to successfully complete their research degrees and  also to improve their future employability, whether within academia or outside it.  The courses on offer are grouped according to skills identified in the Researcher Development Framework:

•     Knowledge and Intellectual Abilities
•     Personal Effectiveness
•     Research Governance and Organisation
•     Engagement, Influence and Impact

Courses in the Postgraduate Skills Training Programme are free and available for all full and part-time research students, regardless of source of funding and Research Council remit.  For further information, please see The AU Postgraduate Skills Training Programme and Continuing Professional Development folder (given out at Induction) and the website at http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/grad-school/res-skills-training/pg-skills-training/ for the latest course information.

 The Continuing Professional Development process (CPD) mirrors the continuing professional development requirements of many UK professional associations and is underpinned by the Research Councils’ Joint Skills Statement.  All research students will have the opportunity to complete a CPD portfolio, which will allow them to reflect on their skills, record the activities they have undertaken and formulate an appropriate training programme for themselves.  Students will be supported in the CPD process by a Mentor, (normally the second supervisor), with whom they will have regular review and planning meetings.  Further information on this process is available on the website at: http://www.aber.ac.uk/en/grad-school/res-skills-training/cpd/ and in the AU Postgraduate Skills Training Programme and Continuing Professional Development folder.

It should be noted that the CPD Portfolio is the responsibility of the student, but the expectation is that the details will be discussed with the supervisory team. In addition, the expectation is that the CPD will be linked to the annual monitoring process (see 16.)

16. Monitoring
Departmental Research Monitoring Committees are responsible, interalia, for overseeing the following processes: identifying the research and transferable skills training needs, including advanced training needs, of individual students; ensuring that ethical and health and safety issues arising from the student's research are identified; monitoring the research and transferable skills training, including advanced training, and Continuing Professional Development process. Departmental Monitoring Committees make reports and recommendations on progress to the Faculty Monitoring Committees. For further information about monitoring, see the Departmental handbooks and the Code of Practice for Research Postgraduates.

The following web links may be useful:

Faculty Monitoring forms:

http://www.aber.ac.uk/academicoffice/faculties/facmonformenglishapril12.rtf

Notes of Guidance: http://www.aber.ac.uk/academicoffice/faculties/ResearchMonitoringFormsnotesofguidancerevJan10.doc