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| miscellaneous:research [2019-03-08 03:09] – created david | miscellaneous:research [2020-07-31 04:04] (current) – david | ||
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| There are really four different choices for research degrees: | There are really four different choices for research degrees: | ||
| - | * Honours - If you haven' | + | |
| - | * Masters - If you don't have either first-class Honours, or a Masters that involved a significant amount of research (at least 20%) already, then you're best off looking at a research Masters (you can always upgrade to a PhD later if everything' | + | * Masters - If you don't have either first-class Honours, or a Masters that involved a significant amount of research (at least 20%) already, then you're best off looking at a research Masters (you can always upgrade to a PhD later if everything' |
| - | * PhD - If you have a significant background in research, then you might consider a PhD. In a PhD, you not only investigate the state-of-the-art in a particular research area, you extend it. By the end of the degree you will be *the* world expert in your area, having significantly improved human knowledge. | + | * PhD - If you have a significant background in research, then you might consider a PhD. In a PhD, you not only investigate the state-of-the-art in a particular research area, you extend it. By the end of the degree you will be *the* world expert in your area, having significantly improved human knowledge. |
| - | * PhDI - With similar entry requirements to a PhD, a PhDI typically has more of an industrial focus. One of your supervisors will be a professional working in the industry, and you'll carry out project-based research on an innovation within your field of expertise. | + | * PhDI - With similar entry requirements to a PhD, a PhDI typically has more of an industrial focus. One of your supervisors will be a professional working in the industry, and you'll carry out project-based research on an innovation within your field of expertise. |
| To choose which is for you, you have to consider your research experience, level of interest, and commitment (e.g. a PhD is at least three years of work). | To choose which is for you, you have to consider your research experience, level of interest, and commitment (e.g. a PhD is at least three years of work). | ||
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| A research proposal should include the following details: | A research proposal should include the following details: | ||
| - | * Proposed title of the study - you should give the study a name that clearly summarises the aims of the project | + | |
| - | * Summary of the proposed study - A short (no more than half a page) description of the project and its expected outcomes. Why is this project important, how will you complete it, and what will the results give us? | + | * Summary of the proposed study - A short (no more than half a page) description of the project and its expected outcomes. Why is this project important, how will you complete it, and what will the results give us? |
| - | * Purpose of the proposed study - A more detailed description of why this study is important | + | * Purpose of the proposed study - A more detailed description of why this study is important |
| - | * Relevant background literature - What have other people done in related areas? You should show you have at least a rudimentary understanding of the current state of the field | + | * Relevant background literature - What have other people done in related areas? You should show you have at least a rudimentary understanding of the current state of the field |
| - | * Research questions or hypotheses - What is the problem you're planning to solve? Do you have any guess to their answers? | + | * Research questions or hypotheses - What is the problem you're planning to solve? Do you have any guess to their answers? |
| - | * Research methodology - How will you go about answering your research questions or proving/ | + | * Research methodology - How will you go about answering your research questions or proving/ |
| - | * Significance of the research - Why is the problem you're discussing worthy of study? | + | * Significance of the research - Why is the problem you're discussing worthy of study? |
| - | * Ethical considerations - If you'll be working with humans or animals, there will definitely be ethical considerations. Otherwise, there may be ethical issues you need to consider. If there are, you need to specify what these are and that you've put at least some thought into them. | + | * Ethical considerations - If you'll be working with humans or animals, there will definitely be ethical considerations. Otherwise, there may be ethical issues you need to consider. If there are, you need to specify what these are and that you've put at least some thought into them. |
| - | * Timetable for the research - How long will it take to complete this research? Can you break it up into a number of steps and give each an estimated deadline? | + | * Timetable for the research - How long will it take to complete this research? Can you break it up into a number of steps and give each an estimated deadline? |
| - | * Anticipated problems and limitations - Are there any restrictions that limit your study, or any risks that your study mightn' | + | * Anticipated problems and limitations - Are there any restrictions that limit your study, or any risks that your study mightn' |
| - | * Resources required for the research - What do you require to complete this research? Can you get those resources? | + | * Resources required for the research - What do you require to complete this research? Can you get those resources? |
| - | * Bibliography - You should refer to relevant literature throughout your proposal and cite it inline using the standards for your discipline | + | * Bibliography - You should refer to relevant literature throughout your proposal and cite it inline using the standards for your discipline |
| Remember that your research proposal isn't set in stone; it will continue to develop as you begin your research, under the guidance of your supervisors. However, it's important to have some sort of plan in place before you begin, so a draft research proposal is vital. | Remember that your research proposal isn't set in stone; it will continue to develop as you begin your research, under the guidance of your supervisors. However, it's important to have some sort of plan in place before you begin, so a draft research proposal is vital. | ||
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| ===== Summary ===== | ===== Summary ===== | ||
| - | * Decide which research degree is right for you (making sure you meet the entry requirements) | + | |
| - | * Choose the research area in which you wish to conduct your study | + | * Choose the research area in which you wish to conduct your study |
| - | * Write a draft research proposal for the problem you wish to investigate | + | * Write a draft research proposal for the problem you wish to investigate |
| - | * Look for funding opportunities | + | * Look for funding opportunities |
| - | * Ensure your research area aligns with your potential supervisor' | + | * Ensure your research area aligns with your potential supervisor' |
| - | * Contact your potential supervisor, giving details of all the previous steps | + | * Contact your potential supervisor, giving details of all the previous steps |
| - | * After agreement with your supervisor, apply for entrance to the degree | + | * After agreement with your supervisor, apply for entrance to the degree |
| If you wish to have me as your supervisor, make sure your research proposal aligns with my [[research: | If you wish to have me as your supervisor, make sure your research proposal aligns with my [[research: | ||
david