Structure

From 2012-13, new entrants and continuing students are expected to follow a set of modules and seminars which form an integral part of the Sociology PhD Programme. The programme combines in-depth social scientific methodological training with transferable and generic skills tailored to the needs of Sociology graduates. It consists of the following core components:

• Year 1
• Years 2, 3 and 4
• Confirmation of Continuation on the PhD Register
• Continuation on the PhD Register

Year 1

1. Social Research Methods – Module leader: Dr David Landy, Thursdays 14:00-16:00 in Michaelmas Term (one-term only).
2. PhD Skills Suite – Module leader: Dr Anne Holohan (MT) and Dr Daniel Faas (HT), Thursdays 10:00-12:00 in Michaelmas Term and Thursdays 14:00-16:00 in Hilary Term. An outline of the topics covered in this skills suite can be found further below. Venue: Room 5012, Arts Building throughout Hilary Term
3. Sociology Research Seminar Series – Convenor: Dr David Landy, Wednesdays 11:00-12:00 (fortnightly). Venue: Conference Room, 6th floor at 3 College Green except Wednesday 17th October 2012 and 6th March 2013 in Room 2026 Arts Building.
4. PhD Workshop – Convenor: Dr Peter Mühlau (MT) and Dr Anne Holohan (HT), Wednesdays 11:00-12:00 (fortnightly, alternate weeks with the Sociology Research Seminar Series). These workshops are convened by a staff member but student-led, and discuss theoretical and methodological readings and also feature 3rd and 4th year student presentations.  Venue: Conference Room, 6th floor at 3 College Green except Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Room 2026 Arts Building.

The Social Research Methods module, co-taught with the MPhil in Race, Ethnicity and Conflict, covers the following topics:

• Research methodologies
• Research design
• Fieldwork and ethnography
• Interviews and questionnaires
• Documentary and visual analysis
• Sampling and data collection in quantitative research
• Analysing and reporting numerical data
• Research ethics

The PhD Skills Suite is delivered by Sociology staff and key external speakers in the form of master classes. It is specifically designed to aid Sociology students in their chosen career and covers the following topics:

Michaelmas Term (Weeks 2-12)

• Preparing and structuring a PhD project (Dr Daniel Faas, 4th October 11:00-12:00 only)
• Writing literature reviews (Dr Ronit Lentin, 11th October)
• Time management (Laura Fitzsimons, SkillWorks Ltd, 18th October)
• Making effective funding applications (Dr Peter Mühlau, 25th October)
• Ethics in social scientific research (Dr Carol Newman, 1st November 10:00-11:00 only)
• Presenting your research (Laura Fitzsimons, SkillWorks Ltd, 22nd November)
• Networking skills (Dr Daniel Faas, 29th November)
• Back to the Social: from postmodernism to symbolic interactionism (Dr Barbara Bradby, 6th December)
• Reading Sociology (Dr David Landy, 13th December)

Hilary Term (Weeks 2-12)

• Case studies (Dr Piet Verschuren, Radboud University Nijmegen, 24th January)
• Qualitative panel study (Dr Elaine Moriarty, 31st January)
• Critical writing at doctoral level (Dr. Tamara O’Connor, 7th February)
• Editing and proofreading (Sarah Marriott, Plain English Ireland, 14th February)
• Research project management (Dr Camilla Devitt, 21st February)
• Discourse and thematic analysis (Prof Deborah Youdell, University of Birmingham, 7th March)
• Publishing your research (Dr Daniel Faas, 14th March)
• Academic writing (Dr Andrew Finlay, 21st March) 10:00-12:00 School Conference Room
• Strategic career management (Dr Antje Röder, 28th March)
• Getting the most out of supervisions (Dr Ronit Lentin, 4th April)

Research project management (Dr Camilla Devitt, 21st February)

Discourse and thematic analysis (Prof Deborah Youdell, University of Birmingham, 7th March)

Publishing your research (Dr Daniel Faas, 14th March)

Academic writing (Dr Andrew Finlay, 21st March) 10:00-12:00 School Conference Room

Strategic career management (Dr Antje Röder, 28th March)

Getting the most out of supervisions (Dr Ronit Lentin, 4th April)

Years 2, 3 and 4

1. One methodological/theoretical workshop in the candidate’s area of interest or one module from the Innovation Academy in either the second or third year of the PhD.
2. Presentation of PhD in-progress within the PhD Workshop in either the third or fourth year of the PhD. Second years can volunteer.

Confirmation of Continuation on the PhD Register

The confirmation of continuation on the PhD register process shall normally be arranged within the first year of registration extended by a further year for PhD students on the part-time register. The process forms an essential part of the student’s learning experience. Students who wish to continue on the PhD register need to have completed (1) the social research methods module and (2) the PhD Skills Suite. They should have regularly attended (3) the Sociology research seminar series and (4) PhD workshop. 

In addition, students need to submit a first-year report (6,000-8,000 words). The format of the report may vary according to the nature of the research but as a general guide it is suggested to include (1) an introductory section stating your research aims, critically reviewing existing literature to inform the formulation and specification of your research question(s); (2) a theoretical and/or conceptual section which includes a discussion of how theoretical or conceptual aspects informed your project; (3) a section on methodology which discusses the design, access and sampling, data collection tools, data analysis technique(s) as well as ethical issues; (4) a timetable; and (5) a bibliography. Five copies should be submitted to the Sociology Department Office before the end of May. Students with compelling reasons may petition via their supervisor, who will consult with the Departmental Graduate Director and Head of Department, to have their confirmation review postponed to September, one year from their entry to the programme.

The student shall be invited to attend a PhD first-year confirmation interview. The PhD confirmation panel for each student is appointed by the Departmental Graduate Director (as nominee of the School’s Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate) and shall consist of at least two Department members drawn only from staff eligible to supervise, as follows: the Departmental Graduate Director and a second member of the Department with acknowledged expertise in the subject area of the student’s research (or in a cognate field). The Departmental Graduate Director makes the final decision about membership of the PhD confirmation panel in consultation with the supervisor and will endeavour to take into account the student’s opinion. The Supervisor shall not be a member of the PhD confirmation panel, but it is expected that the Supervisor (and Co-Supervisor) would be present at the interview. The supervisor’s attendance at the interview ensures that he or she is aware of the panel’s critique of the student’s work. Written feedback shall be provided to the student by the Departmental Graduate Director within one week following the interview. The recommendation of the panel shall be one of the following: (a) continuation on the PhD, (b) continuation on the PhD register after some minor changes have been made to the report, (c) continuation on the PhD not recommended at this time: a new report to be written and confirmation interview to be held again as soon as possible thereafter, (d) a recommendation to change to the general Masters register and submit a Masters (MLitt) thesis, or (e) not to continue as a postgraduate research student. A student may appeal the result of a PhD confirmation interview. This appeal will be brought in the first instance, to the appropriate sub-committee of the School Executive Committee. A further appeal may be directed to the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Continuation on the PhD Register

Students in their second or higher years will return a Progress Report Form to the Departmental Graduate Director twice a year. These reports summarise the progress and research-related activities in the last 6 or 12 months (whichever is relevant), evaluate the actual progress with the projected progress, outline the proposed programme for the next 6 to 12 months, and outline any difficulties experienced. Students should discuss the progress report with their supervisors. Reports need to be signed by both the supervisor and the student. At the end of each semester the department will conduct a twice-yearly general review of the progress of each research student. Any advice and recommendations of the supervisor, Departmental Graduate Director, and/or other staff will be communicated directly to each student concerned. The content of the progress reports will have a particular bearing upon the Department’s attitude to any request for an extension of the deadline for submission of the thesis and continuation beyond year 4.

Note that this Departmental Progress Review is different from and in addition to the Progress Review of Graduate Studies Office.

At the end of their second year, each student shall be invited to attend a PhD second-year review interview. The review panel for each student is appointed by the Departmental Graduate Director (as nominee of the School’s Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate) and shall consist of Department members drawn only from staff eligible to supervise, as follows: the Departmental Graduate Director and a second and third member of the Department with acknowledged expertise in the subject area of the student’s research (or in a cognate field), and the student’s supervisor.  One week before the interview, each student will submit a 1,000 word summary of their PhD research to date and pose questions they would like to discuss.  There is no formal outcome to this review – its purpose is to provide the student an opportunity to discuss with, and get feedback on their project from, a panel of staff members.