Programme aims
Due to the individualised nature of Postgraduate Research Degree’s, project aims and outcomes are usually determined during the research proposal stage, and adapted as necessary throughout the research period. Students will be supported through discussions with their supervisory teams and during Supervisory Panels, using the published milestones as a framework for their research journey.
The aim of this Integrated PhD Programme is to provide students with the requisite competencies and skills, and support in terms of developing an extended subject specific research proposal, to succeed in doctoral studies. The course is oriented towards supporting students through combining taught material with a stepped approach to PhD level research in terms of subject skills knowledge.
Throughout the course of the 4-year doctoral training period, students will enhance their problem solving and analytical; communication and teaching; and leadership and management skills – all of which are highly valued across the academic and private sectors, in a variety of careers that PhD candidates might decide to pursue. It will also provide students with the opportunity to establish a network of peers, collaborators, and colleagues to support their onward careers, within and across university departments.
This programme offers the opportunity for students to broaden and deepen their scholarly activity and knowledge in support of their chosen field of research and their career. This programme empowers researchers to engage in their personal and professional development with dedicated support from university staff. This programme advances the capabilities and experiences that will enhance career development, articulating and provide evidence of the transferability of expertise to innovative research projects.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of a broad range of quantitative and qualitative empirical research methods.
A2: Acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of current developments in scholarly practice, competencies and personal effectiveness needed to be a highly skilled researcher.
A3: Acquire knowledge and understanding of research skills and practices pertaining to the candidate's chosen field.
A4: Acquire knowledge of the composition and editing skills necessary to succeed in writing in a suitable academic register in the candidate's chosen field, and to understand why those principles are germane to the discipline.
A5: Acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of ethical, health and safety, and legal issues pertaining to research.
A6: Acquire knowledge of the requisite use of English Language to present academic ideas in a succinct manner.
Learning methods
This course will make use of a range of learning methods and settings. This will include (but not be limited to): lectures and research seminars, group workshops and discussions, self-directed study, engagement with online learning tools and a virtual learning environment, individual supervision, and practical sessions, including lab time (where appropriate and relevant).
The lecturer-led pedagogy—i.e., the lecture and seminar programme in particular—will enable students to acquire, reflect on, and test a range of advanced subject-specific knowledge and content, including the latest academic reflection on quant- and qualitative methods, as well as the use of data gathering, analytics, and machine-learning.
This programme of learning and teaching is fully accessible and inclusive for all students who are looking to study at this level, with a particular emphasis on online accessibility. Materials will be presented in advance where appropriate and will adhere to the University of Essex policy of accessible documentation for the classroom. For a course that attracts international students there will be careful sequencing of information to present a guided approach to the acquisition of new knowledge and practices. The course is informed by the research expertise of our academic faculty and reflects the excellence of our research environment and the high priority we place on research-led teaching practice.
Assessment methods
- English Language for Postgraduate Research Studies – will be group work and discussions, written and online tests, and oral presentations. [A6, A4]
- Academic Skills for Postgraduate Research Studies – will be individual and group exercises, and written coursework [A4, A2, A3, A5, A6]
- Research Skills (discipline-specific) – the assessment methods will align with the specific module requirements [A3, A5, A4, A2, A6]
- Research Proposal - will be a detailed written submission [A1 through to A6]
- Studying and Researching in the UK – will be based on seminars and group discussions [A5, A6, A2, A1]
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Students on the course will be able to select and apply as appropriate a range of quantitative and qualitative empirical research methods to complete their PhD and make a contribution to the delivery of new knowledge. Student will show evidence of enhanced ability to deploy theoretical, practice-based and experimental modes of research.
B2: Students will be able to assemble and integrate research data and evidence from a variety of sources, and will be able to critically evaluate the suitability of a range of contemporary research methodologies in their chosen field. Graduates will be able to analyse and interpret qualitiative, quantitative, statistical or empirical data, including those of the student's own investigation.
B3: Students will be able to plan and design a doctoral level research investigation that demonstrates a phased approach to completing the study project. Students will be able to report, interpret and discuss original research findings in the context of a wider field of scholarly activity.
B4: Students will be able to understand and apply ethical principles, legal requirements and good research governance.
B5: Students will be able to identify and understand a suitable academic register for written communication in the candidate's chosen field and to have insight into the correct presentation of written materials.
B6: Students will be able to understand and deploy the requisite scholarly level of English Language to present academic ideas in a succinct manner.
Learning methods
This course will make use of a range of learning methods and settings. This will include (but not be limited to): lectures and research seminars, group workshops and discussions, self-directed study, engagement with online learning tools and a virtual learning environment, individual supervision, and practical sessions, including lab time (where appropriate and relevant).
By the end of the course, students will be equipped to develop, contextualise, and reflect on their own doctoral-level research method and practice, and make informed methodological selections as well as successfully navigate relevant research governance and management conditions and criteria.
Assessment methods
- English Language for Postgraduate Research Studies – will be group work and discussions, written and online tests, and oral presentations. [B6, B5]
- Academic Skills for Postgraduate Research Studies – will be individual and group exercises, and written coursework [B5, B1, B2]
- Research Skills (discipline-specific) – the assessment methods will align with the specific module requirements [B1, B2, B4, B3]
- Research Proposal - will be a detailed written submission [B1 through to B6]
- Studying and Researching in the UK – will be based on seminars and group discussions [B6, B5, B2, B1]
C: Practical skills
C1: Students will be able to deploy research skills, including the ability to display and analyse qualitative, quantitative and empirical data, using appropriate methodologies and software.
C2: Students will be able to utilise transferable research skills that include the use of scientific databases, archives, primary sources and secondary theoretiecal texts, referencing packages, and modelling packages. Students will also be able to deploy data collection skills, including the recruitment, instruction and debriefing of participants.
C3: Students will be able to deploy preliminary investigative procedures, enabling them to demonstrate the creation of new knowledge, evidence proof of concept, conduct pilot studies, and, where necessary, construct and validate new instruments.
C4: Students will be able to deploy writing skills, including use of academic conventions for publication, and presentation of a research proposal.
C5: Students will be able to deploy a suitable academic register for written communication in the candidate's chosen field, and to edit and refine their work through iterative version development.
C6: Students will be able to use the requisite scholarly level of English Language to articulate and present academic ideas in a succinct manner.
Learning methods
This course will make use of a range of learning methods and settings. This will include (but not be limited to): lectures and research seminars, group workshops and discussions, self-directed study, engagement with online learning tools and a virtual learning environment, individual supervision, and practical sessions, including lab time (where appropriate and relevant).
Alongside the development of subject-specific skills and capabilities related to the course content, the learning methods of the course—in particular, interactive forms like the research seminars, workshops, discussions, and lab-based practical sessions—will also equip students with a range of softer, professional skillsets, including negotiation, debate, collaboration, and co-production.
Assessment methods
- English Language for Postgraduate Research Studies – will be group work and discussions, written and online tests, and oral presentations. [C6, C4, C5]
- Academic Skills for Postgraduate Research Studies – will be individual and group exercises, and written coursework [C5, C4, C1]
- Research Skills (discipline-specific) – the assessment methods will align with the specific module requirements [C1, C2, C3]
- Research Proposal - will be a detailed written submission [C1 through to C6]
- Studying and Researching in the UK – will be based on seminars and group discussions [C4, C5, C6, C2]
D: Key skills
D1: Students will be able to
i. deploy a suitable academic register for written communication in the candidate's chosen field, and to edit and refine their work through iterative version development
ii. use the requisite scholarly level of the English Language to articulate and present academic ideas in a succinct manner.
iii. communicate information, ideas, and arguments effectively using a range of media, including written and poster communications.
D2: Students will be able to:
i) deploy research skills, including the ability to display and analyse qualitative, quantitative, and empirical data, using appropriate software.
ii) utilise transferrable research skills that include the use of scientific databases, referencing, and modelling packages.
iii) use IT resources for research and presentation, including databases, library catalogues, internet resources, word processing and presentation packages.
D3: Students undertaking quantitative and statistical data skills training will improve their numeracy skills, describe and analyse univariate and multivariate quantitative data using appropriate methods.
D4: Students will be able to:
i) deploy preliminary investigative procedures, enabling them to demonstrate the creation of new knowledge, evidence proof of concept, conduct pilot studies, and, where necessary, construct and validate new instruments.
ii) apply theoretical knowledge, research design and practical techniques to investigate and solve empirical problems.
D5: Students will set out propositions and arguments for discussion, be able to defend their ideas and research in a scholarly and academic framework, develop negotiation and coproduction skills in the service of teamwork, and the competencies required for participating in research teams or groups.
D6: Students will be able to:
i) plan and design a doctoral-level research investigation that demonstrates a phased approach to completing the study project.
ii) report, interpret, and discuss original research findings in the context of a wider field of scholarly activity.
iii) produce work that is properly presented against strict deadlines, reflect on their own performance and make constructive use of feedback, work independently, and plan work effectively.
Learning methods
This course will make use of a range of learning methods and settings. This will include (but not be limited to): lectures and research seminars, group workshops and discussions, self-directed study, engagement with online learning tools and a virtual learning environment, individual supervision, and practical sessions, including lab time (where appropriate and relevant).
In these settings students will be encouraged and supported to develop key skills specific to their scholarly field(s) and professional development, including written and oral scholarly communication, relevant IT expertise, numeracy and data management, problem-solving and investigative method, and effective collaborative and team-working practice.
Assessment methods
- English Language for Postgraduate Research Studies – will be group work and discussions, written and online tests, and oral presentations. [D1, D5, D6]
- Academic Skills for Postgraduate Research Studies – will be individual and group exercises, and written coursework [D1, D5, D6]
- Research Skills (discipline-specific) – the assessment methods will align with the specific module requirements [D2, D3, D4, D6]
- Research Proposal - will be a detailed written submission [D1 through to D6]
- Studying and Researching in the UK – will be based on seminars and group discussions [D5, D6, D1]