and Validation
Periodic Review Report
Date
15 June 2005
School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Research Programmes in:
MA, MPhil and PhD in: Applied Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Environmental Social Sciences; Learning Disability; Mental Health; Sociology; Social Policy; Urban Studies; Women’s Studies;
MPhil and PhD in: Migration Studies; Personal Social Services; Social Work
PhD in Community Care
Periodic Review Report – School of Social Policy, Sociology & Social Research
Applied Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Community Care, Environmental Social Sciences, Learning Disability, Mental Health, Migration Studies, Personal Social Services, Social Work, Sociology, Social Policy, Urban Studies, Women’s Studies,
- Introduction
- This report presents the findings of the periodic review of the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR) graduate research programmes (hereafter the programme/s).
MA, MPhil and PhD in:
- Applied Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Environmental Social Sciences
- Learning Disability
- Mental Health
- Sociology
- Social Policy
- Urban Studies
- Women’s Studies
MPhil and PhD in:
- Migration Studies
- Personal Social Services
- Social Work
PhD in Community Care
Criminology was not included as it was recently approved (May 2005)
This review was conducted in accordance with the University of Kent at Canterbury’s Code of Practice for Quality Assurance(Research Students), Annex B and held on 15 June 2005
1.2.Departmental background/profile
The School is one of the largest of its type in the UK and was formed in 2001 by the merger of the Department of Social Public Policy and the Department of Sociology, with the Tizard Centre merging in 2004. The school comprises 2 groups; the SPS and the Tizard Centre together with 3 main research centres. It is also includes or is associated with a further 6 research centres. SSPSSR currently has 48 teaching and 25 research staff. The SPS group were awarded a 5* rating in the 2001 RAE which was raised to 6* under the new HEFCE rules, and the Tizard Centre gained a 4.
1.3.Background/profile of the programmes under review
The majority of the programmes have been in existence for some years prior to the formation of SSPSSR. The Applied Psychology and Migration programmes were approved in 2004, with the Criminology programme being approved in May 2005 with an expected intake in September 2005.
1.4.Strategic initiatives for the direction of the programmes
The department has asked that specifications for the MAs by research be approved as fallback awards under the Credit Framework. However the credit framework applies only to taught programmes, so where the MA programmes are not already existence, the programme specifications will be considered as specifications for new MA Research Programmes. These “fallback” awards are already enshrined in the regulations for specific research degrees.
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- Review Method
- The composition of the review panel (approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research of this University on 15 November 2004) was as follows:
Professor John Mingers, Professor of Operational Research and Systems in Kent Business School, University of Kent (Chair)
Dr Elizabeth Cowie, Reader in Film Studies, Department of Film Studies, School of Drama, Film and Visual Arts, University of Kent
Dr Nick Crossley, Reader in Sociology, Department of Sociology, University of Manchester
The secretary to the panel was Liz Cable, (Administrator, Kent Law School) - The panel received the documentation relevant to the review on 10 June 2005 with subsequent documentation received on 14 June 2005.
- The panel held the following meetings:
- Panel meeting with the Head of SSPSSR (Professor Chris Pickvance); Professor Chris Rootes, the School’s Director of Graduate Studies 2003-2005, Professor Anthony Elliott, Director of Graduate Studies 2005-; Dr Iain Wilkinson, Deputy Director of Graduate Studies, Professor Sarah Vickerstaff, Director of Learning and Teaching (Management Team)
Note that no one was available from the Tizard Centre nor was the panel able to inspect their facilities. It cannot therefore comment on these aspects of Tizard’s provision. - Tour of the School’s postgraduate facilities
- Meeting with the School’s postgraduate research students including those from the Tizard Centre
- Meeting with a selection of approved and non-approved supervisors
- Further meeting with the Management Team (as above)
- Panel meeting
- Feedback meeting with the Management Team
3Summary of Recommendations
3.1The review panel commends the School on the programmes listed above and recommends that they should continue, subject to the following conditions. It also commends the School on its excellent research culture and the high quality of and student satisfaction with academic supervision, and its excellent management/tracking of student progress.
3.1.1That the School carefully consider the need for the existing large number of separate programmes, produce positive justifications for each one, and explain how each programme fits into the School’s stated aims.
3.1.2That the programme specifications are amended to be consistent and follow the University’s code of practice as specified in item 5.1.1
3.2.The review panel also recommends that the department/school/centre consider the following suggestions.
3.2.1That the School consider whether the administrative resources currently allocated to the Programmes are commensurate with the size of the Programmes and the need for effective management and information provision.
3.2.2That the School ensure that all research students have a principal supervisor and at least one other member of staff who will be familiar with the student's work and able to assume supervisory duties in the absence of the principal supervisor as specified in the Faculty’s code of practice.
3.2.3The supervisor(s) should keep a record of the student's progress, including notes of supervision meetings and e-mail discussions.
3.2.4That the school reassess the provision of office/computer space for research students.
3.2.5Ensure that students are clear about the IT and office provision.
3.2.6Provide or assist the students with the running of student research seminars and other activities to provide a more cohesive student research community.
3.2.7Review the research-training programme, especially for part-time students, and ensure that students understand the need for training and how it fits into their research programme.
3.2.8That the School looks carefully at its management of failing students.
3.2.9 That the School‘s Graduate Students’ Handbook be revised and updated to include details of second supervisors/panels, room facilities and supervisory arrangements during a supervisor’s study leave or leave of absence.
- Aims and Objectives of SSPSR’s Research Programmes
4.1The programmes aim to attract high calibre students from home and overseas; to offer focussed and supportive research training; to produce high-quality graduates with the skills necessary for pure and applied research within their chosen areas of employment, including higher education, public bodies and the private sector.
4.2On successful completion of the MA programme, students will have acquired a grounding in research skills. They will have developed knowledge of their subject area and the ability to conduct an independent study and to understand its relationship to a wider field of knowledge. Students will have produced a thesis displaying and applying knowledge of the subject at an advanced level that is organised and presented in an appropriate manner.
4.3On successful completion of the MPhil programme, students will have acquired a grounding in research skills and developed a good grounding in research skills. They will have developed a broad knowledge of their subject area and acquired specialist knowledge in relation to their chosen area of research to a standard sufficient to conduct an original investigation. Students will have carried out a research project using appropriate research methods and produced a thesis displaying and applying a broad knowledge of the subject at an advanced level that is organised and presented in an appropriate manner.
4.4On successful completion of the PhD programme students will have acquired a good grounding in research skills and developed a broad knowledge of their subject area. Students will have acquired specialist knowledge in relation to their chosen area of research to a standard sufficient to make an original contribution to knowledge and carried out an independent research project using appropriate research methods. They will have produced a thesis displaying a broad knowledge of the subject that is of such scholarly merit as would justify its publication either as submitted or in an abridged form.
- Detailed Report of Panel’s Findings
5.1Compliance with the requirements of the Code of Practice for Quality Assurance (Research Students).
5.1.1The Review Panel was satisfied that the School complied with the Code of Practice in general. However, it is noted that the Faculty of Social Science Code of Practice is under review and the School will need to re-assess its practices when this Code is fully approved.
5.1.2There were inconsistencies within the Programme specifications. In particular, Applied Psychology did not conform to the current template; there was inconsistency as to whether the student review was annual, biannual or indeed triannual; specialised Programmes should nominate which specific supervisors were approved for that Programme.
5.2Achievement of the Programme’s Stated Aims.
5.2.1The panel was satisfied that the SSPSSR’s programmes are achieving their stated aims.
5.3Appropriateness of Research Environment and Availability of Learning Resources.
5.3.1SSPSR students enjoy their postgraduate research experience and being part of the School.
5.3.2Students expressed concern about the offices and IT provision. They were unclear as to which space they should use and described the computers as slow.
5.3.3Students were happy with the £200 conference allowance.
5.3.4Students expressed concern about the lack of research student seminars.
5.3.5Some students expressed concern about the research-training programme mainly the inappropriateness of some aspects of the programme and the lack of fit with their research.
5.4Student Progression.
5.4.1The school monitors the progression of registered students well and students are happy with the upgrading process. However the School needs to manage its statistics and record keeping more effectively and to become more proactive in chasing and dealing with failing students once they have entered the extension year.
5.5Student Support and Guidance
5.5.1The Panel found that the responsibilities laid out by the University Code of Practice for Research Students and Supervisors (1995 revision) were being met.
5.6Quality Assurance and Enhancement
5.6.1The Panel found that the School had a strong commitment to both quality assurance and enhancement.
Appendix
Approved Supervisors / Non-Approved SupervisorsAlaszewski, Professor Andy / Baldock, Professor J
Chiesa, Dr Mecca / Beadle-Brown, Dr Julie
Evans, Professor Mary / Boothroyd, Dr Dave
Hale, Professor Chris / Burgess, Dr Adam
Furedi, Professor Frank / Elliott, Professor Anthony
Kirton, Dr Derek / Forrester-Jones, Dr Rachel
Liddiard, Dr Mark / Hatzidimitriadou, Dr Eleni
Mansell, Professor Jim / Hayward, Dr Keith
Pickvance, Professor Chris / Jenkins, Professor Bill
Presdee, Dr Mike / Jervis, John
Ray, Professor Larry / Kirton, Dr Derek
Rootes, Professor Chris / Lee, Dr Eleanor
Song, Dr Miri / Leon, Dr Margarita
Taylor Gooby, Professor Peter / McGill, Peter
Twigg, Professor Julia / Miller, Dr Vince
Vickerstaff, Professor Sarah / Mitton, Dr Lavinia
Young, Professor J / Sanghera, Dr Balihar
Sayers, Professor Janet
Siegal, Dr Nico
Tzanelli, Dr Rodanthi
Wahidin, Dr Azrini
Wilkinson, Dr Iain
Yar, Dr Majid
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