Within each of the above areas, the skills postgraduate researchers are
expected to develop are identified. These are detailed below (see statements A1
to G4). Accompanying each statement are more specific indicators of what this
really means in practice. It is useful to assess your own competence in each skill
area at different stages of the doctoral journey, and to plan consciously to
progress and develop. Taking control of your own development is in itself a key
skill in research and career management. You might find it useful to score
yourself from time to time on a 1-5 scale against each of the competence
statements, i.e.,
(adapted with thanks from the work by the Universities of Cardiff, Manchester
and Leeds).
(A) Research Skills and Techniques - to be able to demonstrate:
1.the ability to recognise and validate problems
5.the ability to critically analyse and evaluate one's findings and those
of others
You need to be able to:
• how research is funded within your own discipline and the mechanisms by
which funding might be sought to continue your current research.
• how large and small-scale research proposals within your discipline are
evaluated.
• able to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of your own approach, and
willing to complement it by an engagement with other approaches.
• fully aware of all of the means of exploiting intellectual property and have
considered the scope of knowledge transfer and entrepreneurial activity in
relation to your research.
• be aware of the impact that your own behaviours and actions have when
building a healthy working relationship with your supervisor(s).
• understand your own behaviour and your own impact on others when
working in and contiributing to the success of formal and informal teams.
• be able to work in teams (both inside and outside of academia) on
complex projects.
• be able to reflect on the quality of such team work and to solve problems
as they arise.
• be aware of all the stakeholders in your work, and consider and act upon
the best ways of interacting with them.
3. listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others