Training Requirements
In addition to developing expertise in your subject specialism, the ESRC requires that funded students receive well-rounded research skills training that extends beyond the specific research methods that are central to your specialist doctoral project.
We use a specially developed Development Needs Analysis, which will help you identify the training you need in conversation with your supervisors. Both the 1+3.5 and +3.5 Studentship Case application forms will ask you to outline your existing and proposed research skills training, and students successfully recruited to CASE Studentships will also have their training backgrounds and development needs assessed.
Research Skills Training falls under four headings:
1. Conceptual – includes research design, interdisciplinary research, research methods (qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods), open science principles, among other things.
2. General Research Skills – includes, among other things, project management, EDI principles, literature review and language skills.
3. Specialist – includes knowledge of and expertise in applying relevant qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research methods
4. Research in Practice – includes, among other things, entrepreneurship and leadership, communicating to non-academic audiences, and developing networks.
If you are successful in your application for a 1+3.5 studentship, LISS DTP will work with you to ensure that you receive adequate core research skills training as stipulated by the ESRC. You can find detailed information on what the ESRC expects here.
If you are successful in your application for a +3.5 studentship, and have already undertaken a Masters degree, but do not have core level training to ESRC standards, LISS DTP will work with you to arrange any necessary training. Most of this training will happen during the first year of doctoral study (or second year if you are part-time). You will have access to a range of Masters level programmes run at our three institutions and to LISS DTP’s own doctoral level training programme to cover your additional training needs.
Deciding whether to apply for a 1+3.5 or +3.5 studentship
If you have not already taken a Masters by the time you start your PhD, you will almost certainly have to apply for a 1+3.5 studentship and undertake a Masters as part of this.
If you have taken a Masters that you and your proposed supervisors do not think supports the doctoral research you propose to undertake, you may also apply for a 1+3.5 studentship.
We assess each case on its own merits and on the basis of the information provided in the application. If, after having consulted the information provided here and the ESRC guidelines, you have questions about this, you are welcome to contact the LISS DTP Deputy Director for Training and Cohort Development, Prof Lasse Thomassen.
