PG Certificate in Advanced Research Skills

Program Overview

Key Information

PGCert in Advanced Research Skills

The PGCert in Advanced Research Skills consists of two modules: Research Project Management and Technology-Enhanced Research. These modules are an integral part of our PhD programme, but can also be taken as self-standing modules by anyone wishing to acquire comprehensive training in academic and transferable research methods, either to supplement their PhD studies elsewhere or to upscale their skills in their professional environment.

Start Date

• September

Location

• On Campus

Course Code

• PGOF0008

Entry Requirements

• Applicants are normally expected to hold a good postgraduate qualification and/or have a background in conducting research.
• International applicants should also see Doctoral School English language requirements.

Course Overview

The PGCert in Advanced Research Skills consists of two modules:

• Research Project Management
• Technology-Enhanced Research

These modules are designed to provide comprehensive training in academic and transferable research methods, either to supplement PhD studies elsewhere or to upscale skills in a professional environment.

Structure

Research Project Management - 30 credits

This module covers essential research skills that all SOAS PhD students need to develop regardless of their disciplines. Students will collectively and individually explore ten key topics on designing and managing a successful research project, laying a strong foundation for their theses and research careers.

Topics Covered

• PhD requirements, expectations, and support
• Research ethics, integrity, and governance
• Defining the scope of research and formulating research questions
• Advanced literature searches and reviews
• Copyright, referencing, and reference management
• Working with feedback
• Time management and self-care
• Preparing for fieldwork: visas, safety, and security
• Data management planning
• Open scholarship and public engagement

Workload

• 6 hours of online activities and 2 hours of classroom sessions per week
• For students not based at SOAS, classroom hours will be replaced by independent study.

Method of Assessment

• Participation in all interactive exercises on Moodle (20%)
• Research Project Canvas (up to 5,000 words, 80%)

Technology-Enhanced Research - 30 credits

This module aims to help all SOAS PhD students develop the necessary knowledge and skills for conducting high-quality research in the digital age. Students will work collectively and individually through ten key topics on engaging with digital tools and sources, laying a strong foundation for their theses and research careers.

Topics Covered

• Being a researcher in the age of big data, algorithms, and artificial intelligence
• Evaluating digitally sourced information
• Choosing suitable tools for data collection
• Choosing suitable tools for data visualisation
• Scraping data from the web
• Ethnographic research in a digital world
• Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis (CAQDAS)
• Evaluating digital methods used in publications
• Building and managing an online research presence
• Good cybersecurity practices for researchers

Workload

• 6 hours of online activities and 2 hours of classroom sessions per week
• For students not based at SOAS, classroom hours will be replaced by independent study.

Method of Assessment

• Participation in all interactive exercises on Moodle (20%)
• Two written assignments on methodology (up to 1,500 words and 3,000 words, weighted at 30% and 50%, respectively)

Teaching and Learning

This programme can be taken entirely online with additional optional on-campus classes. There will be:

• Online resources and activities
• Weekly class
• One-to-one tutorials

Fees and Funding

• Home (full-time): £3,900 per year
• Overseas (full-time): £3,900 per year
• £1,950 for a single module for all students (home and overseas alike), and those who have successfully completed both modules (£3,900) will be awarded the certificate.

Employment

This programme will provide comprehensive training in academic and transferable research methods, either to supplement your PhD studies elsewhere or to upscale your skills in your professional environment.

Find out about our Careers Service.

Key Staff

• Dr Yenn Lee, Senior Lecturer in Research Methodology

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