Welcome to Postgraduate Induction 2014

Making the transition: the research survival guide Professor Alan Kelly School of Food and Nutritional Sciences

Starting your research degree: a new start oA completely new form of study oOne to one teaching: student-supervisor, but oYou are independent oYou are in control oYou are responsible for your own progress oA class of your own: an exam of your own oAlso broader education; courses and training oThe start of a journey that could end up in many different places

What will you get from postgraduate studies? Two general classes of benefits: A.Specific project-related experience: Become specialised in certain area of your field Learn specific research skills etc. B.Project-independent experience: Learn skills of ‘research’ (and beyond) which you would not do at undergraduate level, to create a skills base which is recognised as suitable or essential for certain career opportunities

Your key partner: your supervisor(s)? Research is generally learned as an apprenticeship, with learning by example, practice, and appropriate feedback 1.What makes a good research supervisor? 2.What makes a good research student? 3.What are your expectations of your research supervisor? 4.What are the responsibilities of a research student?

Defining the relationship between you and your supervisor(s)

Your key partner: your supervisor(s)? Research is generally learned as an apprenticeship, with learning by example, practice, and appropriate feedback Your supervisor may be your: oTeacher oAdvisor oCritic oCollaborator oExaminer oSupporter oMentor oColleague oCounsellor oFriend?

The problem of focus and priorities You Your project Everything else Your Supervisor Your project Everything else

But It’s your thesis oResponsibility ultimately ends with you oIt is your time now and your eventual future oTake ownership and responsibility Students who do not get on with their supervisors frequently have problems! Develop ground-rules; agree structures that work for you both Make the most of their support but do not lean too heavily on it Relationship will go through many phases over the years (initial dependence, weaning, collaboration at the end)

What is research? oResearch adds to the store book of human knowledge oHuman knowledge is not fixed, it is constantly evolving, changing and being added to oKnowledge is not a collection of facts and information….. It is the sum of the results of the efforts of many, many people over hundreds of years For the next few years, YOU will be involved in this process ……and some of you will do it for the rest of your careers “Research is the process of going up alleys to see if they are blind”

The two most important elements of research Investigation/Experimentation plus Communication Investigation/Experimentation means: - Planning research and reading - Doing your research - Analysing the results of the research - Ensuring the reliability of what you find Communication means: -Communicating locally and informally, globally and formally -Research doesn’t exist without communication -Many different audiences, styles and purposes -At the end of the day, you have to write and perhaps defend a thesis -Academic publications a key outcome for your future -Get used to talking about your research (hugely beneficial) and selling it (e.g., at conferences) -Writing skills perhaps the most important skill -Write early and often and learn from feedback -Secret of communication: CONSIDER YOUR AUDIENCE

The importance of a good start oWhat are three things you could do in the first three months to get your research off to the best possible start?

Key starting points oHave you a clearly defined research question(s)? oHave you read some background literature? oHave you an objective that is achievable and clear? oWhy is your research important? oHow can it be tackled? – make a plan, learn about how to manage time, people and tasks oDevelop good practices around information collection and management, notes, data, references, electronic media oExamine every decision you are making as you go about your research – am I doing things the right and the best way? - can I defend my decisions at a later stage?

Find out about UCC’s ethics policies Learn about plagiarism!

What is ahead of you? Hard work Long hours Wonderful highs and awful lows Personal development Managing a project Becoming (the) expert in your field Writing a thesis and lots besides Defending your thesis Becoming a professional researcher Start Graduation

What your supervisor does

What other supports are available? The research student network You are not alone! Structured PhD offers lots of supports Training modules Workshops Social events Postgrad society/SU Lots more besides

Two things to do 1. Get off to a good start 2. Keep on track

1. Getting off to a good start Clarify expectations Define some initial goals and questions (Learning Plan) Identify your skills needs and how to meet Build a network Keep in touch and involved

2. Keeping on track Expect reviews of your progress Demand reviews of your progress Manage your time and research materials Seek advice and don’t hide problems Solve problems when they arise and know your rights

What do you have to do to finish your degree? oSubmit a thesis (Masters and PhD) and do an oral examination (PhD) oKnow from the start what is expected at the end oFind out about publication requirements oRead theses in your area! oTalk to those who have been through the process!

Is there life afterwards? oYes – whole world of possibilities oMaximise benefits of your study for your future career oNetworking, contacts and marketing all very important oForget limitations – broaden your horizons oA postgraduate degree is the start of your career, not the end of it oCareers service here to help and advise

PhD Students -Approved for a minimum of three/four years full-time, depending on the programme -Students must re-register each year and pay fees each year until submission Masters Students - Approved for a minimum of 1-2 years full- time. Students must re-register each year and pay fees each year until submission Registration Requirements

All changes to registration require approval by your Supervisor, Head of Dept/School and College Such changes include Changing from a Masters or PhD track to PhD Changing the length of approval Extensions Leave of absence Changing Supervisor or addition of supervisor Changing thesis topic Changing from part-time to full-time or vice- versa Changes in registration forms are available on the Graduate Studies website Changes in Registration

The End Thank you!