What PhD students should be able to do: The Joint Skills
Statement
Introduction
The Research Councils, and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for
Higher Education, play an important role in setting standards and
identifying best practice in research training for PhD students. They
have set out a joint statement of the skills that doctoral research
students would be expected to develop during their research training.
The purpose of this statement is to give a common view of the skills
and experience of a typical research student thereby providing universities
with a clear and consistent message aimed at helping them to ensure
that all research training is of the highest standard, across all disciplines.
It is also important for you to know what is expected of you here at
the University of Exeter. The generic skills programme can help you
to enhance your skills set under many of the headings below.
PhD students should fulfil the following,
in their research degrees:
(A) Research Skills and Techniques - to be able to demonstrate:
- the ability to recognise and validate problems
- original, independent and critical thinking, and
the ability to develop theoretical concepts
- a knowledge of recent advances within one's field
and in related areas
- an understanding of relevant research methodologies
and techniques and their appropriate application within one's research
field
- the ability to critically analyse and evaluate
one's findings and those of others
- an ability to summarise, document, report and
reflect on progress
(B) Research Environment - to be able to:
- show a broad understanding of the context, at
the national and international level, in which research takes place
- demonstrate awareness of issues relating to the
rights of other researchers, of research subjects, and of others who
may be affected by the research, e.g. confidentiality, ethical issues,
attribution, copyright, malpractice, ownership of data and the requirements
of the Data Protection Act
- demonstrate appreciation of standards of good
research practice in their institution and/or discipline
- understand relevant health and safety issues and
demonstrate responsible working practices
- understand the processes for funding and evaluation
of research
- justify the principles and experimental techniques
used in one's own research
- understand the process of academic or commercial exploitation of
research results
(C) Research Management - to
be able to:
- apply effective project management through the
setting of research goals, intermediate milestones and prioritisation
of activities
- design and execute systems for the acquisition
and collation of information through the effective use of appropriate
resources and equipment
- identify and access appropriate bibliographical
resources, archives, and other sources of relevant information
- use information technology appropriately for database
management, recording and presenting information
(D) Personal Effectiveness -
to be able to:
- demonstrate a willingness and ability to learn
and acquire knowledge
- be creative, innovative and original in one's
approach to research
- demonstrate flexibility and open-mindedness
- demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to
identify own training needs
- demonstrate self-discipline, motivation, and thoroughness
- recognise boundaries and draw upon/use sources
of support as appropriate
- show initiative, work independently and be self-reliant
(E) Communication Skills - to
be able to:
- write clearly and in a style appropriate to purpose,
e.g. progress reports, published documents, thesis
- construct coherent arguments and articulate ideas
clearly to a range of audiences, formally and informally through a
variety of techniques
- constructively defend research outcomes at seminars
and viva examination
- contribute to promoting the public understanding
of one's research field
- effectively support the learning of others when involved in teaching,
mentoring or demonstrating activities
(F) Networking and Teamworking
- to be able to:
- develop and maintain co-operative networks and
working relationships with supervisors, colleagues and peers, within
the institution and the wider research community
- understand one's behaviours and impact on others
when working in and contributing to the success of formal and informal
teams
- listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others
(G) Career Management - to be
able to:
- appreciate the need for and show commitment to
continued professional development
- take ownership for and manage one's career progression,
set realistic and achievable career goals, and identify and develop
ways to improve employability
- demonstrate an insight into the transferable nature
of research skills to other work environments and the range of career
opportunities within and outside academia
- present one's skills, personal attributes and
experiences through effective CVs, applications and interviews
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