Development Needs Analysis Please Discuss This with Your Supervisor

Development Needs Analysis – please discuss this with your supervisor

The Researcher Development Framework identifies theskills that research students would usually possess or be aiming to acquire during their research degree.The framework is made up of four ‘domains’:

Knowledge and intellectual abilities
Personal effectiveness
Research ethics and governance
Engagement, influence and impact

At the start of your doctoral study, pleasediscuss this with your supervisor in order toidentify which areas you already feel competent in and which ones you need to develop. This should help you jointly agree which developmental activities are appropriate for you over the coming years. We are aware that different students will have different aims and priorities. This document should be seen as a basis for discussion, rather than a set of prescriptions.

You will be asked to review this by your pre-confirmation panel. For each area, think about the extent to which you already feel confident, and the ways in which it may be helpful for you to have further support - as appropriate for your own situation.

Knowledge and Intellectual Abilities /
SELF EVALUATION
Confident / Developing / Need to develop

Defining research problems and identifying areas where investigation might produce new knowledge.

Developing theoretical concepts: formulating hypotheses, questions and innovative research ideas

Knowledge of recent advances within the field, familiarity with recent relevant literature

Understanding of relevant research methodologies and techniques and theirapplication within your research field and more widely

Critically analysing and evaluating both your own findings and those of others

Analysing research data and developing interpretations that are plausible and valid in the context of your study and your field of research

Personal Effectiveness
Confident / Developing / Need to develop

Planning effectively and setting and prioritising goals to develop an effective strategy and timetable

Identifying and accessing appropriate bibliographical resources, archives and other sources of relevant information

Using information technology appropriately for database management, recording and presenting information

Being open to new ideas and concepts in developing your research

Recognizing your limitations; seeking and drawing on support as appropriate

Awareness of career development opportunities and the importance of affiliation to professional and academic bodies

Identifying and developing ways to improve employability: recognising the skills needed by potential employers

Awareness of the range of generic and transferable skills gained through undertaking a PhD, including communication skills and project management

Awareness of university resources to support personal development and career guidance (including writing an effective CVs)

Research Ethics and Governance

A broad understanding of the context, at the national and international level, in which research takes place

Awareness of issues relating to the rights of other researchers, of research subjects, and of others who may be affected by the research

Confident / Developing / Need to develop

Knowledge of the University’s standards and regulations for good research practice including legal matters

Understanding of relevant health and safety issues in relation to your research : an appreciation of your working environment and its health and safety regulations

Knowledge of types and sources of funding available in your field

Knowledge of criteria and procedures for evaluating your research (e.g. confirmation of PhD status and the viva)

Engagement, Influence and Impact

Understanding of the commercial potential of your research results: the ability to promote your ideas and research within the confines of your contractual rights

Communicating your work in writing in a style appropriate toa wide range of audiences, academic and otherwise

Presenting to different audiences using a variety of presentation techniques

Constructively defending research outcomes at seminars and examinations

Communicating your research in a teaching environment

Developing and maintaining cooperative networks and working relationships with supervisors, colleagues and peers, within your institution and the wider research community

Awareness of the potential usefulness ofsocial media as a resource for brainstorming, networking, collaborating, soliciting feedback, and publicising research findings to maximise impact

Please complete and discuss with your supervisor. You will be asked to review this by your pre-confirmation panel.

FASS Modulesand other Lancaster modules available to you

TheLancaster Research Development Programme website lists all modules available to you over the course of your PhD, and provides links to other useful sites:

General courses and resources recommended for everybody:

Designing, Undertaking and Surviving Doctoral Research (FASS 506)
Introduction to the Philosophy of the Social Sciences (FASS 507, distance learning available)

Epigeum Research Skills Master Programme at

MethodsNorthWest at

Additional FASS ourses and resources on specific topics and skills:

Q4 Qualitative Methods in the Social Sciences (FASS 510) or its individual components (FASS 610-616)

FASS: Quantitative Research Methods Introduction (FASS 508) or Quantitative Research Methods 1 (distance) (FASS 509); Quantitative Research Methods 2 (FASS 512);

Discourse Analysis (FASS 517)

Q6Approaches to Qualitative Analysis (FASS 513, second and third year students only); Quantitative Research Methods 2 (FASS 512)

Q7Project Management at Time Management at

Q15,Q16, Q18 Career Planning for PhD Students (bookable at CEEC); Writing and Effective Academic CV (bookable at CEEC); Academic Interviews (bookable at CEEC); Employer Interviews and Assessment Centres Outside Academia (bookable at CEEC); Postgraduate Employability (FASS 622)

Q19 Ethics in Arts & Social Research FASS 522