Research Training Programme
The Postgraduate Research Training Programme is available to full-time and
part-time research students in the Social Sciences and Humanities at Newcastle
University throughout their time studying for their research degree.
This extensive research training programme provides a unique discipline-specific
and generic training that ensures that all research postgraduates acquire the
research skills and competencies necessary to complete their research theses.
It has been recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Arts and Humanities Research Council as a sound foundation for doctoral studies.
The training goes further than helping with individual students to complete
their specialist study, as the aim at Newcastle University is to equip all research
students with a broad range of research skills
and a
thorough working knowledge
of research project management.
Postgraduate Research Training Programme Handbooks, 2012/13
- 1st Year Handbook (PDF: 939K)
- 2nd and 3rd Year Handbook (PDF: 784K)
- Research Training Modules Handbook (PDF: 784K)
Please note that all students will receive a hard copy handbook at registration or induction.
The Research Training Programme has its own Staff Student Committee and Board of Studies, where all modules are reviewed and student feedback discussed. The documentation (including module report forms and anonymous student feedback) are available to internal users at the above links.
The Training Programme has a permanent home in the purpose-built Faculty Postgraduate Training Suite on the 7th Floor, Daysh Building, which provides state-of-the-art facilities for lectures, workshops and seminars. The Training Suite has its own computer cluster, with all the specialist software required for doctoral research in the Social Sciences and the Humanities.
Along with the aim of training in a range of research skills, the programme places a strong emphasis on networking - encouraging students to develop links with each other and with members of staff other than their own supervisors. Exchanging ideas about research experience is an invaluable method of gaining knowledge, and the training programme provides a unique multi-disciplinary environment that fosters these exchanges.
The teaching is designed to encourage interaction, with the emphasis on student involvement and hands-on experience. The teachers have been selected not only for their expertise but also for their friendly, accessible approaches.
A certificate is awarded to every first year student who has completed, and passed, the full training programme.
Modules
- Managing your PhD
- Introduction to information skills
- The nature of enquiry and explanation in the social sciences
- Qualitative methodology in the social sciences
- Introduction to quantitative methods
- Managing personal development
- Academic writing and self-editing your thesis
- Fieldwork in Developing Countries
- Progressing your PhD
- Research in the wider context
- Risk management in research projects
- Introduction to NVIVO (a software package for qualitative data)
- Research ethics in a wider context
- European Research: possibilities and pitfalls
- Final stages of a PhD
Each year there are two student-led research postgraduate conferences, where postgraduate researchers from across the Faculty present their work to each other in a supportive, multi-disciplinary environment. The first year conference is based on oral presentations, and there is training in planning and delivering oral presentations using PowerPoint, where practice sessions are videoed and discussed in small groups.
The second year conference is based on poster presentations, where again appropriate training is given in a Preparing a Poster workshop. A prize is awarded to the best poster, as judged by the participants in the conference according to criteria at the training session.
Contacts
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Amanda Chambers
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Dr Robin Humphrey
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Dr Laura Leonardo
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