Postgraduate research degree training
For more information contact
Dr Andrew Rawnsley
Graduate Research School
Teesside University
Middlesbrough
Tees Valley
TS1 3BA
Research Governance & Training Manager
01642 738046, E: a.rawnsley@tees.ac.uk
Andrew Rawnsley completed Master's and PhD degrees at the University of St Andrews, and post-doctoral work at K.U. Leuven. He joined Teesside in July 2008. He has lectured and advised students in all aspects of research methodology, and has particular research interests in ethics and epistemology.
We offer research training to all our postgraduate students studying research degrees. This training provides support for important aspects of research practice throughout your degree.
We offer courses and shorter workshops tailored to the structure of our research degrees. These cover typical concerns at different stages. Sessions generally include: information and presentation of material, group tasks linked to your research, plenary discussion, and in many cases the opportunity to meet researchers from different disciplines across the University.
Graduate Research School induction
This is a one-day programme which covers a wide range of important issues for all new research degrees. Topics include an introduction to the University as a place of research, presentations by staff across the University who provide services or advice to researchers, an overview of training and good practice, and the various networking and discussion opportunities available. All research degree students complete research induction as a requirement for progression to the second year (full-time) or third year (part-time) of the degree.
Initial research training
Taken in the first year over two days, this covers the basics of starting a research degree. We lay foundations for further training in specialist areas. As well as covering project management and academic criteria and formalisation, the course encourages you to reflect on your research practice and think carefully about the epistemological and methodological issues involved in the early stages of a research project. This initial training is a requirement for progression to the second year (full-time) or third year (part-time) of the degree.
Library and information services
We cover the essentials of locating source material for the literature review stage of research. This is done specifically with the view of how this process works at Teesside. It also offers the important opportunity to meet the subject specialist in the library who deals with your subject area.
Continuing research training
This is taken during the mid-stage of the research degree covers typical problems encountered as research projects become more focused. This involves topics such as academic writing, presentation, and further theoretical reflection on the process of research. An especially important aspect is encouraging you to be confident in your ability to translate sources and data into robust research material.
Research completion training
Research completion training is taken during the final stages of the degree to address further needs in academic writing and editing. We include intensive work on preparation for submission, proofing of the thesis and viva examinations.
Programmes are throughout the year, for both full and part-time students. Sessions are also offered in evenings and weekends. Materials for training is also online. We organise full-day programmes in research ethics; and shorter workshops in academic writing, presentation, and methodology and epistemology.
Training needs analysis
As a research degree student you are required to determine your training needs with your supervisors and with staff in the Graduate Research School. This enables a suitable level of training to be provided in your discipline, in research methodology, and in broader research and transferable skills. You are asked to reflect on your research skills as part of the application. When you are offered a place, you take this further by completing a more detailed training needs analysis process, in consultation with staff. This forms the reference point for your training provision for the duration of your degree.
| Event Title | Start Date |
|---|---|
| Methodology and epistemology for research
Middlesbrough Tower - M7.01 |
19 March 10 |
| Research ethics in-depth
Middlesbrough Tower - M7.01 |
24 March 10 |
| Initial research training - sessions 1 and 2 (part-time focus) - Cancelled
Middlesbrough Tower - M3.10 |
30 March 10 |
| Initial research training - sessions 3 and 4 (part-time focus) - Cancelled
Middlesbrough Tower - M3.10 |
31 March 10 |
| Initial research training (part-time focus) - Cancelled
Middlesbrough Tower - M3.10 |
31 March 10 |
| Publication practice - citation and ethics - Cancelled
Middlesbrough Tower - M3.06 |
13 April 10 |
| Library research training: introduction to literature searching
Library 3.1 |
14 April 10 |
| Advanced topics in methodology for research 1
Middlesbrough Tower - M7.01 |
16 April 10 |
| Advanced topics in methodology for research 2
Middlesbrough Tower - M7.01 |
23 April 10 |
| Continuing research training
Middlesbrough Tower - M4.01 |
28 April 10 |
| Advanced literature searching: keeping up to date
Library 3.1 |
30 April 10 |
| Completing research training: submission of thesis and viva
Constantine Building - CG.24 |
12 May 10 |
| Enhancing the research culture 2010
Centuria Building |
02 June 10 |