Module Directory

The module focuses on writing and presenting a research proposal for the thesis, as well as other significant aspects of socialization into the discipline of political science. We aim to help PhD candidates develop a wide range of professional skills, giving them the capacity to complete their PhD and compete for academic jobs.

Doctoral candidates in the Department carry out their research in a wide variety of areas on a diverse set of topics, using a wide range of different approaches from nomothetic-deductive formal modelling, to quantitative and qualitative comparative studies, to normative political philosophy. Healthy exposure to these different perspectives in the scholarly study of politics provides an opportunity to improve general knowledge and background, and even provide new ideas for specialised areas of research. This seminar is not aimed at any sub-field or methodological tradition in particular.

Inevitably, the primary focus here is the academic profession. We will therefore practise a number of specific skills such as drafting research proposals, presenting results, and publication strategies. However, many of the sessions are also highly relevant for the other kinds of professions in which PhD graduates often find employment. Whatever your target, we aim in this seminar to provide a constructively critical atmosphere in which to hone various skills.

The aim of this module is:

• To provide training and support for the research capacity and professional development of all doctoral candidates in the Department of Government.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Summarise a research proposal for the thesis work and had it critically appraised.

2. Develop presentational skills both in regard to research, professional meetings and job-seeking.

3. Accumulate general 'know-how' about the political science profession.

The research proposal will be developed, presented and defended in various formats throughout the module:The research proposal will be developed, presented and defended in various formats throughout the module:

1. In Weeks 16-17, each student must deliver a 10-minute presentation of their proposed doctoral research. The presentation should (1) identify the research question, (2) outline the type and sources of evidence to be used, and (3) begin to consider the implications of different possible findings.


2. In Weeks 20-21, there will be peer review sessions during which the module supervisors and your fellow students will comment on your draft proposals. Guidance on the content of these drafts will be provided in Week 4. 


3. In Week 23, there will be no standard seminar session but instead a poster session – to which all PhD students and faculty will be invited – at which you will present a poster outlining your planned research. 

Supervisors and Boards have the first and the final say about how PhD work is conducted. This seminar merely supplements the Supervisory Boards and does not supplant them. There will inevitably be a certain amount of overlap between the two, since it is more interesting and economical to discuss papers based on on-going research. Generally, supervisors welcome all critical and informal discussion of research, but in the event of a significant contradiction the supervisor's opinion prevails.

Beyond attendance and active participation, we have an overriding aim which is to prepare first-year doctoral candidates for having their research proposals accepted by the Research Students Progress Committee in the summer term. The research proposal will be developed, presented and defended in various formats throughout the seminar:

1. In Weeks 16-17, each student must deliver a 10-minute presentation of their proposed doctoral research. The presentation should (1) identify the research question, (2) outline the type and sources of evidence to be used, and (3) begin to consider the implications of different possible findings.
2. In Weeks 20-21, there will be peer review sessions during which the module supervisors and your fellow students will comment on your draft proposals. Guidance on the content of these drafts will be provided in Week 4.
3. In Week 23, there will be no standard seminar session but instead a poster session – to which all PhD students and faculty will be invited – at which you will present a poster outlining your planned research.