Research Courses

As with taught courses, it is usually necessary to hold a degree in the same subject as that for which the research is planned. The nature of this type of study is completely different, however, from that taken through a taught course. First of all it lasts for longer. The most popular qualification is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), which usually takes three years. There is the shorter version called a Master of Philosophy (MPhil), but minimum amount of time, which this takes, is usually two years. Both of these qualifications require the student to carry out a piece of innovative research in a particular area of study. It is essential that the work has never been done before. The person who supervises a research degree will be aware of the range of options available and will be able to advise on what is and is not possible.

The start of a research degree involves a very extensive survey of all previous work undertaken in that area. At the same time, if the student is planning to carry out any practical experimentation, the necessary equipment will need to be obtained.

The preliminary part of the study can take up to six months, but it is important to note that the process of keeping up to date with other work going on in the subject must continue throughout the entire period of the research.

The next stage of a research course usually involves collecting information in some way. This might be through experimentation, in the case of arts, social sciences or humanities degree. The important thing is that something new must be found.

This second part of the procedure takes about two years in the case of a PhD. The research is written up in the form of a thesis during the final six months of the three-year period. Typically, this will contain an introduction, methodology, results and discussion. As in the case with taught degrees, the research must then be examined orally. Occasionally, if the examiners are not completely happy with the work they may ask the candidate to rewrite parts of the thesis. Hopefully, a good supervisor will make sure this does not happen!

Qualities Needed

Broadly speaking, these two different types of study require similar qualities from the people who undertake them. Both demand an inquisitive mind that will maintain the kind of motivation required to keep wanting to learn and discover new information.

They also both demand a high level of intellectual ability in order to cope with the pressures of having to understand what are likely to be complex arguments, facts or theories. Both require a high degree of organizational ability and time management, as so many different things need to be attended to.

However, a period of study by research demands additional qualities. For example, it is not at all uncommon for research to work out entirely different from what was hoped or planned. Expected results may not materialize, experiments may not work, and so on. At times such as these it is essential to stay calm and to keep on trying. In other words, you need to be very patient. Because research requires something new to be found or achieved, it is also important to enjoy solving problems and to have a lot of confidence in your own creative ability.