Personal Development Planner and diary for postgraduateresearch students generic skills training

OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY

Contents

IntroductionSelection of elements for inclusion 3Completing your diary 4How much time should be allocated to training? 4Additional elements which may be included 4MPhil, Four year PhD, Professional doctorates, Part-time students 4

The UK grad programme 5Key skills for research students - taken from the Brookes Code of Practice 6-7

Training proposal - year 1 8Record of training - year 1 9Training proposal - year 2 10Record of training - year 2 11Training proposal - year 3 12Record of training - year 3 13Additional information recorded by the student 14

Appendix 1- where do I find additional information 15-16

This planner wais prepared by the University Research Training Co-ordinator, Dr David E. Evans (deevans@brookes.ac.uk). He welcomes comments on its content, layout and use.

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Introduction

This planner and diary is provided for you and your supervisors to plan and record a programme of study additional to your research, which will better equip you for your research and enhance your employment prospects after leaving Brookes. The planner is intended to help you complete your studies at Brookes effectively and to gain skills that will equip you for employment either in research or elsewhere.

The planner and diary should be used in conjunction with the Oxford Brookes University 'Code of Practice for Research Student Training' which you will have received in the enrolment pack issued by the Graduate Office at enrolment.

You should complete your diary with the help of your supervisor(s). To do this, you will need to review your current skills andas well as the skills and competencies you need or want to gain. A programme should then be planned for each year of study, which includes all the required elements.and then plan a programme over each year. To help you, tables are provided which list the areas in which training is available and the kinds of competencies and skills you may wish to develop. As every research student is different, these should be selected to be right for you. If you have any questions your supervisor cannot answer, please contact the Research Training Co-ordinator Dr David E Evans, (deevans@brookes.ac.uk) or seek advice from staff in the Careers Centre.

The additional study you undertake will be a combination of a central block of compulsory training required by your School/Department and by the University and an agreed programme of additional work. The diary will therefore contain three elements:

1) training required by your School and the University2) training requested or required by your supervisory team3) training requested by you and approved by your supervisory team.

It is your responsibility to complete the diary. The work selected must be approved at the end of the first month of study by your Director of Studies and by the School Postgraduate Research Tutor. Copies of relevant sections of the diary recording your progress should be submitted with your first year report and second year report and are part of the University’s progression monitoring. At the end of your period of study at Brookes, you will retain the diary.

Selection of elements for inclusion in the skills diary. At the start of your research, you and your supervisors should spend some time assessing skills which are either essential, recommended or desirable for you. Some elements are already prescribed for you - for instance in the compulsory induction course; others may be needed (e.g. the Oxford Centre for Staff Development teaching course) and others are opportunities for you to develop either subject specific or generic skills. You may wish to attend courses or parts of courses on offer either within the University or externally outside it.

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Completing your diary. A form is included which you and your supervisor(s) should complete at the start of your first year. It will be initialled upon approval. Record what you actually did on the next form at the end of year one. This should be submitted with your first year report. You then repeat this for subsequent years - one form recording what you intend to do and a second one recording what you did. The schedule for reporting is as follows:

First month of study: decide on first year programme and get form agreed.

End of first year : submit report on first year with first year report. Decide on second year programme and get form agreed.

End of second year : submit report on second year with transfer report. Decide on third year programme and get form agreed.

End of third year : submit report on third year; completed diary returned approved for your records.

How much time should be allocated to training?

The Research Councils recommend the equivalent of two working weeks per year generic skills training for full-time students. This may be as a block of whole days on a training course, or be accumulated as 70 h training spread through the year. In some instances it may be most appropriate for training to be spread unevenly between years. On-line or self-taught material can be included.

Additional elements which may be recorded in the skills diary

Attendance at conferences, where developing or obtaining skills or competencies can be indicated (e.g. making presentations; gaining careers insights; developing broader perspectives of field);

Presentations (internal and external);. Attendance at School/Department research seminars and group Mmeetings; Any generic or subject-specific skill training acquired external to Brookes (for

instance attendance on a field course; work in another institution; short-term employment which develops relevant skills; teaching on short courses; illustration, writing courses etc).

MPhil, Four Year PhD, Professional Doctorates, Part- time students

The forms in this diary may be copied and edited to allow for time periods and modes of study other than three years. Part- time students should allocate the number of hours per year pro-rata to their period of study and requirements and regulations applicable. The skills are however, applicable to all research students and should provide the basis for 'professional development' regardless of length or mode of study.

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The UK Grad programme

The UK Research councils fund a graduate student training programme and encourage all research students they fund to participate in it. Details can be found at http://www.grad.ac.uk and participation in it counts directly to the training recorded in this diary. Non research council funded students may use the UK Grad web resources and can attend residential Grad events on payment of a fee (usually around £500).

The UK Grad programme offers:Web resources and advice • INDENTIFYING YOUR STRENGTHS AND OVERCOMING PROBLEMS - EVALUATING YOUR SKILLS - SET PERSONAL OBJECTIVES --- USING NETWORKING --- ATTENDING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES - STAYING HEALTHY • MANAGING YOUR RESEARCH - YOUR ROLE AS A DOCTORAL STUDENT - MANAGING YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SUPERVISOR - ROLE OF YOUR SUPERVISOR - SUPPORT MECHANISMS - YOUR RESEARCH COMMUNITY - SUPPORT AND FUNDING - TIME MANAGEMENT FOR PhD STUDENTS - WRITING UP --- HOW TO START WRITING YOUR DOCTORAL THESIS --- EFFECTIVE ORGANISATION AND PRACTICAL HINTS FOR THESIS WRITING --- TIPS FOR GOOD WRITING AND CHECKING DRAFTS --- COMMON CONCERNS ABOUT WRITING UP - MAXIMISING YOUR IMPACT - TEACHING AND DEMONSTRATING • PLANNING YOUR CAREER - PERSONAL FACTORS AFFECTING CAREER CHOICE - WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? - BUILDING A CAREER PLAN --- CONTINUING IN RESEARCH IN ACADEMIA --- CONTINUING IN RESEARCH OUTSIDE ACADEMIA --- WORKING IN A FIELD RELATED TO RESEARCH IN ACADEMIA --- WORKING IN A FIELD RELATED TO RESEARCH OUTSIDE ACADEMIA --- SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT - INVESTIGATING CAREER OPTIONS - HOW YOUR CAREERS SERVICE CAN HELP - GETTING HELP FROM EXPERTS - EFFECTIVE NETWORKING - STRATEGIES FOR FINDING YOUR JOB • MARKETING YOURSELF TO EMPLOYERS - BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CVs & APPLICATIONS --- EXAMPLES OF CVs (ARTS AND SCIENCE) - PRESENTING YOUR PhD IN CVs AND APPLICATIONS - SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWING - ASSESSMENT CENTRES AND OTHER RECRUITMENT METHODS - LAUNCHING AN ACADEMIC CAREER • USEFUL RESOURCES - GUIDE TO THE PhD - SKILLS ASSESSMENT - MOTIVATIONS - WRITING UP - CAREERS WEBSITES - BOOKS

Courses

Five and four day courses provide a rounded programme of both personal and career development, while 3 day courses courses focus on career planning: awareness of your options and your skills, and help in being successful in applications and interviews.

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Key skills for research students - taken form the Brookes Code of Practice

These tables should be used at the start of each year as the basis ofdiscussion with your supervisor to assess the skills you already have and to plan your programme of professional development.

RESEARCH SKILLS AND TECHNIQUESStudents should 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

RESEARCH ENVIRONMENTStudents should 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.

RESEARCH MANAGEMENTStudents should 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.

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Key skills for research students - taken form the Brookes Code of Practice (contd)

PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESSStudents should 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.

COMMUNICATION SKILLSStudents should 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.

NETWORKING AND TEAMWORKINGStudents should 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.

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School and Supervisor InductionThis form is to be completed by you and signed by your supervisor within two weeks of enrolment.

Facilities and resources which may be provided

Aware of location and access

If not available indicate here

Office space and deskComputer and printingOn line accessPhotocopyingLaboratory/specialist facilitiesStationery and suppliesKeys to officeIdentity card/swipe cardOtherKey staff Met/

introducedDate to be met

Not applicable

Director of StudiesSecond Supervisor(s)Postgraduate Research TutorDeputy Postgraduate Research TutorPostgraduate AdministratorDean of SchoolSchool Finance OfficerSchool Safety OfficerSchool IT OfficerSchool Ethics OfficerGeneral Completed Date to be

carried outAlready familiar

Introduced to research training programme and diaryIntroduced to research seminar seriesDiscussed the frequency of supervisory meetings Introduction to library and information resourcesIntroduction to computer services and University computing resourcesIntroduction to general facilities e.g. Student Union, Sports Facilities etc.

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Agreed by: Student Date

Supervisor Date

Year 1- training proposed Name ………………………..To be agreed with Supervisory Team and Postgraduate Research Tutor in Semesterterm 1.

Skill (note not all will be relevant or desirable for all students)

Outline appropriate action Include reference to attendance at School or Department research methods or other training courses as well as self-directed or other learning.

Hours (total 70)

Director of Sstudies Initials

2 Basic research skills:Literature searching and reference keepingResearch methodsData analysis and evaluationProject/ experimental design 3. Research environmentNational and international context of researchEthics, IPR, Data protection, academic integrityHealth and safety Funding and evaluation of researchAcademic and commercial exploitation of research4. Research managementProject planning, management and milestonesObtaining, recording and storing dataBibliographic, library and web resources5 Personal effectivenessContinuous professional development and use of a training diary/ logIdentification of training needs6 Communication skills:English language support International students)Word processing Academic writing: papers, theses, monographs, reportsPoster and oral presentationsUse of visual aidsTeaching skills Language learning7. Networking and teamworkingTeam workResearch seminar and group meetings - contribution, giving and receiving feedbackCollaboration- internal and external

Agreed by School: Date:9

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Name…………………………

First year record of training completed (to be submitted with first year report).

Skill/ training element Hours Date completed Student signature

Courses taken:

Induction course -University

Induction course - School

Research methods or other compulsory School courses

Research seminar attendance

Other courses/ conferences attended

Self directed or other learning

Approved by School: Date:

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Name………………………….

Year two training proposal

Brief outline of activities (approx 70h) to be undertaken in year 2:

To be submitted with first year report.

Content and hours allocated Supervisor(s) initials

Course(s)

Self-directed learning

Conferences

Other

Supervisor signature: Date:School approval: Date:

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Name…………………………

Second year record of training completed (to be submitted with second year report).

Skill/ training element Hours Date completed Student signature

Courses taken:

Research seminar attendance

Other courses/ conferences attended

Self directed or other learning

Approved by School: Date:

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Name………………………….

Year three training proposal

Brief outline of activities (approx 70h) to be undertaken in year 3:

To be submitted with second year report.

Content and hours allocated Supervisor’s initials

Course(s)

Self-directed learning

Conferences

Other

Supervisor signature: Date:School approval: Date:

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Name…………………………

Third year record of training completed (to be submitted at end of third year).

Skill/training element Hours Date completed Student signature

Courses taken:

Research seminar attendance

Other courses/ conferences attended

Self directed or other learning

Approved by School: Date:

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Additional information recorded by student:

Use this space to record any additional training activities undertaken or to add detail to the information above.

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Appendix 1 - Where do I find training and information?

1) Your Sschool Postgraduate Research Tutor will inform you about compulsory and other training courses and seminars being run in your Sschool. You must attend ALL the compulsory elements of these courses and should attend as many other sessions run by your Sschool as possible. Make sure you also attend research seminars, lectures etc. Some Schools will require you to attend these and may ask for written work based on what you learn in them.

2) The web: You can obtain up to date information on training courses being run in the University on the Brookes web site. The Graduate Office provides pages that will link you to these quickly – visit: http://www.brookes.ac.uk/research/Graduate/Graduate.html or

https://www2.brookes.ac.uk/research/training/home.html.

3) The tables below give a general list of the types of courses and their providers.

Topic CourseWindows Windows (Computer services)3hWord processing Word (Computer services)

Introduction 3h; Intermediate 3hReports 3h; Mail merge and macros 3hGraphics 3h

Spreadsheets Excel (Computer services)Introduction 3h ; carts 3h; Large work sheets 3hTemplates 3h; Macros 3h; Pivot tables 3h

Databases Access (Computer services) Introduction (2x 3h)Intermediate (2 x 3h) Advanced (3h)

Internet and email (Computer services)Using the internet (2.5h); Netscape mail intro (2.5h)Netscape mail intermed (2.5h)

Teaching and demonstrating OCSLD Associate Teachers Course. Various sessions- 4x 3h to a full year's programme as required. Compulsory to do minimum course if doing more than 50h teaching.

Presentations oral/visual PowerPoint (Computer services) Introduction 3h; Intermediate 3h; Oral presentations (Graduate office); 2h PhotoShop 3h (Computer services)

Statistics SPSS for Windows 3h (Computer services)M08423 Time series; M08425 Design of experimentsM08426 Multivariate methods; M08427 Sampling and surveys; M08429 Linear regression; M08443 Medical statistics; M08640 Simulation and modeling

Web writing Web writing Introduction to Web CT (Media workshop)

Library skills LibraryIntroduction to the library (1h)(inter-library loans, other Oxford libraries)Information skills- getting started (2h)Information skills- further research (2h)Citing information (2h)Use of Web of Science (2h)

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Courses for research students organised by the Research Training Co-ordinator:

Topic DurationInduction and networking 5hWelcome and networkingQualitative Methods

3h 1h

Thesis writing 1hViva preparation 1hResearch funding 2h Intellectual property rights 1hData protection 1hResearch ethics 1hResearch integrity 1hRegistering for a research degree 1hStudent/supervisor relationships 1hTime and project management 1hOverview of research degrees at Brookes

1h

Help sessions Semester 2 -Termly 1hCareer planning 1hOral presentation skills 1hAcademic Integrity 1hComplaints and appeals 1hCompletion rates: targets and remedies

1h

Writing for publication 1hCareer planning and evaluation* 1 dayJob search skills, applications, interviews*

1 day

*Available to final year research students only.

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Graduate Office Enrolment

Enrolment by member Graduate Office Staff and confirmation that the Enrolment Pack has been issued. (Enrolment Pack also contains induction material - contents listed below).

Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Confirmation by student that the Enrolment Pack has been received:

Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Enrolment pack – contents:

Research Degree Regulations Regulations for PhD by Published Work (if applicable)Code of Practice for Postgraduate ResearchCode of Practice for Research Student TrainingResearch Degree Forms reference setCode of Practice for Ethical Standards for Research involving Human Participants

Oxford Brookes University Student Directory and CharterWelcome letter from Chair of Research Degrees CommitteeIntroduction letter from Head of Graduate OfficeList of Postgraduate Research TutorsList of Research Degrees Committee and Sub-Committee meeting datesList of University-wide research student training eventsInformation on University IT trainingInformation on Associate Teachers’ CourseResearch Students’ Guide to Learning ResourcesLetter from the Chair of the Research Students’ Committee and email discussion listNotice about emailList of useful Brookes webpagesInformation on contents of Graduate Office webpagesCopy of Research Forum (when available)

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