Targeted online professional development courses for researchers, available through Study Direct, to do at your own pace.

As a result of the Doctoral School's commitment to the professional development of Sussex doctoral researchers, a new Study Direct site has been launched. 'DR2 E-Learning for Researchers' presents fourteen online study modules (with more on the way) that focus on essential research skills at doctoral level and beyond.

The modules are interactive, with visual and audio content presenting solid advice, examples and exercises based on the real-life experiences of professional researchers at all levels in a range of disciplines.

E-learning Research Skills for Doctoral Researchers

Modules are accessed via Study Direct, using your ITS username and password to log in.  All Doctoral Researchers currently registered at Sussex have been automatically enrolled, and DR2 Online will appear in your list of Study Direct courses.  If you do not already have access to DR2 online, please contact dr2@sussex.ac.uk to request access.

Research Methods in Literature Review (study time: 1h 50m)
Research Methods in the Arts and Humanities (study time: 2h 20m)
Research Methods in the Sciences (study time: 2h 50m)
Research Methods in the Social Sciences (study time: 2h 50m)
Intellectual Property in the Research Context (study time: 1h 35m)
Getting Published in the Arts (study time: 1h 50m)
Getting Published in the Sciences (study time: 1h 40m)
Ethics 1: Good Research Practice  (study time: 1h 35m)
Ethics 2: Working with Human Subjects (study time: 2h 20m)
Project Management in the Research Context  (study time: 1h 55m)
Career Planning in the Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (study time: 1h 35m)
Career Planning in the Sciences (study time: 1h 35m)
Managing your relationship with your Research Supervisor or Principal Investigator (study time: 1h 45m)
Selecting a Conference, Presenting & Networking  (study time: 1h 25m)

Research Methods in Literature Review (study time: 1h 50m)

You have probably conducted a literature review in your previous academic work but now need to ensure that the review that you undertake meets the requirement of a systematic approach required by all postgraduate researchers. This course will take you step by step through the process of your literature review, using a systematic and comprehensive approach.

At the end of this module you will have an understanding of the importance of:

• a review question to guide your literature review
• a systematic searching strategy to guide the collection of literature for your review
• a critical evaluation of literature that you include in your review
• a bringing together of the literature in a representative manner when you write up your review.

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Research Methods in the Arts and Humanities (study time: 2h 20m)

This course aims to develop your awareness of the practical and conceptual skills that support effective independent scholarly research in the arts and humanities. The goal is to help you understand the issues involved in making an informed choice about the research methodology and approach most suitable for your own specific project.

At the end of this module you will be able to:

• understand the meaning of research and research methodology in the humanities
• undersatnd the dynamic relationships between your chosen research topic, the questions you ask and the methods you use
• recognise different research methodologies, and select those relevant or appropriate for your research topic and questions
• understand the place of different research methodologies in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary contexts.

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Research Methods in the Sciences (study time: 2h 50m)

Scientific research includes a wide range of approaches and methods. This course gives you an overview of the field from the early stages of framing your research question, through the research, to writing up your findings and on to deciding on your next steps.

This course will:

• Introduce you to key concepts in scientific research
• explain principles and issues affecting scientific research
• help you locate specialist resources for specific topics

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Research Methods in the Social Sciences (study time: 2h 50m)

Social science research helps us to understand, shape and critique the increasingly complex world in which we live. There is a wide range of approaches and methods available in the area, and social scientists need to choose the most appropriate. This requires them to have a clear understanding of the nature of social science research and of the issues involved in it.

This course aims to:

• introduce you to key concepts for social science research
• explain key principles and issues affecting social science research
• identify a range of strategies for data collection
• help you locate additional specialsit resources for specific topics.

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Intellectual Property in the Research Context (study time: 1h 35m)

An awareness of Intellectual Property and its related issues is now essential for anyone working within the research context.  This course is a short introduction to the topic and aims to give you a knowledge of the key areas that affect you as a researcher. 

This module will:

• introduce the key areas of Intellectual Property (IP)
• show how IP is relevant to you
• show why you need to take responsibility for your own IP, for your own benefit, that of the University, and for your employment.

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Getting Published in the Arts (study time: 1h 50m)

Why publish? To extend knowledge? To engage in academic debate? Or because you feel under intense pressure to do so in order to get on in your career?  This module will give guidance and support to arts and humanities students who are keen to put their research into the public realm.

A group of early career researchers, and a group of editors give us their thoughts on how to achieve publication.

This module will:

• provide an understanding of the publishing process
• instill confidence in dealing with publishers or journals
• assist with the process of preparing papers for publication
• develop critical skills of reading and academic writing

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Getting Published in the Sciences (study time: 1h 40m)

This module is aimed at encouraging science researchers to publish, and will advise on how this may best be accomplished. The course should take you about 100 minutes and may be completed in several visits.

This module will provide:

• an overview of the publishing process
• training and tips on how to produce a paper
• critical skills in proof-reading and editing
• a supportive and pro-active attitude to academic publishing

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Ethics 1: Good Research Practice (study time: 1h 35m)

This module covers standard practice and recent changes in universities' ethics relating to research that investigates people and their data.  The research methods reviewed here in the context of ethics include qualitative and quantitative work, observations and experiments, surveys and interviews, analysis of texts and images.

This module will help you to:

• understand and use the frameworks and basic tools in research ethics debates
• explain and justify your decisions about research ethics
• learn about resources for extending and updating your knowledge of ethics.

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Ethics 2: Working with Human Subjects (study time: 2h 20m)

This course is about the ethics of involving human participants directly, or indirectly, in research projects.

This module will help you to:

• define a human participant
• define informed consent
• identify the main considerations when involving human participants directly or indirectly in research
• provide case studies to help you understand the issues involved
• provide links to additional information and resources

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Project Management in the Research Context (study time: 1h 55m)

This module introduces you to some of the key concepts of conventional project management, showing you how they can be used in the academic research context, through the four key phases of the project life cycle.  This module will empower you to take ownership of your research project, introducing traditional project management methodologies and illustrating how these techniques can be used in the research context.

This module will enable you to:

• differentiate between a 'project' and 'on-going activities'
• understand relationships between project components (resources, duration and scope)
• develop a project plan
• understand the concept of a 'critical path' and how changes in schedules and resources affect the duration of the project
• identify the key stakeholders for your project and understand their influence and potential impact on the project
• identify and manage project risk, including the risks related to the uncertainty of research outcomes
• have an awareness of the key project management tools.

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Career Planning in the Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (study time: 1h 35m)

This module aims to encourage you to explore the skills and motivations for a career in academia or beyond.  Even if you already have a career path planned, the course has a number of exercises for you to work through, including marketing yourself to prospective employers in applications and in interviews, to help you achieve your aims.  This module is divided into a number of sections that will help you plan a career in the sectors of academia, public sector, not-for-profit, commercial and self-employment.

The main themes are:

• skills development
• career routes within and outside academia
• applying for jobs
• being successful at interviews and assessment centres
• planning ahead beyond your research.

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Career Planning in the Sciences (study time: 1h 35m)

This module encourages scientists to actively use career management techniques. Use of these techniques can be valuable whether planning a career in academia or exploring a variety of alternative career options. As you work through the course you will build up a picture of your skills, personal preferences and style, which can help you in your career choice. Even if you have a definite career plan in mind this course can help determine your suitability for it and may identify areas that you can work on to increase your chances of success.

This module will help you:

• be aware of key factors in career decision-making
• understand the skills you have and the career options open to you
• begin developing your own career plan
• appreciate how to engage with both academic and non-academic employers successfully.

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Managing your relationship with your Research Supervisor or Principal Investigator (study time: 1h 45m)

This course aims to provide:

• an overview of potential issues relating to your supervisor
• training and tips on how to manage your supervisor
• an opportunity to develop critical skills in relationship building
• encouragement to develop and maintain a proactive attitude to managing your supervisor.

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Selecting a Conference, Presenting & Networking (study time: 1h 25m)

This module covers topics such as selecting an appropriate conference to attend, preparing your talk or poster, giving your presentation, and making the most of the contacts you make whilst you are there.

At the end of this module you will be able to:

• understand why it is important to attend conferences
• select a conference that is appropriate for you
• get the most out of your conference attendance
• make the most of your presentation (if you are making one)
• answer tricky questions and ask probing ones
• establish and maintain useful professional (and social) contacts
• reflect on your experience and be better equipped, organised and prepared for your next conference.

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