Core Research Skills

Research Skills

Assess your research skills

Core research skills This activity is aimed at helping you to reflect on your competency levels regarding the six core research skills below. . Area / subject expertise  Data collection and analysis  Generating research output  Managing a research project  Understanding and influencing the research environment  Reputation and external esteem

Each skill will be presented with four possible levels of competency:  Foundation  Intermediate  Advanced  Expert

Choose your own level of competency for each core skill, copy the text that corresponds to that level and paste it into the table at the end of this document. NB. If you do not see the save or print buttons on the toolbar in this window, right click on the empty part of the toolbar and choose the “standard” toolbar. You will then be able to save or print the document.

From The Research Observatory. Last edited 27/01/2008 © University of the West of England, Bristol Core research skill 1: area / subject expertise

How well do you know your area of expertise? Have you already been working in this field for several years or are you completely new to it? Do you have some knowledge of the area from your reading or undergraduate studies? What level of skill do you possess in relation to your knowledge of your subject area? You are able to show broad-based awareness of the subject domain and can Foundation demonstrate knowledge about key themes, topics and major research questions in the domain. You show growing expertise in a specialist domain. You maintain a broad-based knowledge of the field. Intermediate You are cognizant of national and international research activities and you keep abreast of relevant publications. You have an established track record of academic achievement in a clearly defined specialist area. Advanced You think creatively and contribute to development of theory and the generation of new research ideas. You demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the domain and show significant contributions to theory and practice. Expert You demonstrate innovation in research methods, approaches and theories and are able to create and direct research strategy at a corporate or national level.

Core research skill 2: data collection and analysis

Are you competent at collecting data? Do you fully understand how you will analyse that data? Have you been able to determine the best method to use for your particular research having regard to the advantages and disadvantages of each of the possible methods? What level of skill do you possess in relation to data collection and analysis? You must have the ability to: Use a set of key data collection and analysis techniques or methods relevant to the Foundation domain of research. Use the methods or techniques to generate valid data and results with guidance. Recognise the strengths and limitations of each key method or technique. You must have the ability to: Assess the advantages or disadvantages of an array of methods or techniques for data collection and analysis. Intermediate Select appropriate methods for application to a given research issue. Design experiments, trials, surveys or longitudinal studies. Specify valid sample characteristics for selected statistical techniques. You must have: A comprehensive knowledge of domain-relevant methods and techniques, their applicability and validity in varied contexts, and have the ability to: Advanced Combine methods or techniques to provide an effective battery of tools for a given investigation. Use the methods flexibly and tailor them to specific research investigations. You must have the ability to: Maintain a thorough grasp of data collection and analysis methods or techniques within a domain. Expert Evaluate methods or techniques used and to guide others in selection and use of data collection and analysis methods and techniques. Develop new and innovative data collection and analysis techniques.

From The Research Observatory. Last edited 27/01/2008 © University of the West of England, Bristol Core research skill 3: generating research output

Are you cognizant of the importance of generating research output in an academic research environment? Have you presented papers at academic conferences or produced a poster of your research to present at a conference? Have you ever compiled a publication strategy? You contribute competently to deliverables of high quality, for example: professional Foundation articles, final reports, presentations, poster sessions or conferences. You publish at an acceptable rate for your discipline, typically two papers per year in peer-reviewed academic journals. Intermediate You present papers at academic conferences. You are responsible for significant project deliverables (final reports etc) and have compiled a planned publication strategy. You publish at a competitive rate for your discipline, typically three papers per year in Advanced high-impact peer-reviewed academic journals, with a high proportion first-authored. You edit books or book chapters and direct and guide research output of others. You publish review articles or critique of significant texts in the relevant domain. Expert You develop research publication strategies at institutional level.

Core research skill 4: managing a research project

Can you meet deadlines set by your supervisor or department? Are you capable of setting your own deadlines for particular aspects of your research? Can you communicate well with your team members or even assign tasks to them, giving clear instruction as to how the task should be carried out? You manage specified 'work packages' with supervision and meet deadlines set. You Foundation meet required quality standards. You plan and organise one individual major project (or two or three small projects) through all stages of the projects life-cycle (from start up to exploitation of findings). Intermediate You assign tasks and give clear guidance on carrying them out and can communicate with team members. You monitor and guide their performance. You set up, direct and manage portfolios of collaborative projects through all stages of Advanced the project life-cycle. You can develop effective communication and learning systems on projects. You can establish corporate project management skills and guidelines. You guide and support others in project management. Expert You enhance project management methods and establish and promote best practice in project management. You promote cross-project learning.

From The Research Observatory. Last edited 27/01/2008 © University of the West of England, Bristol Core research skill 5: understanding and influencing the research environment

Do you have an awareness of your research domain? Can you identify the leading authorities in your field? Do you participate actively in peer review processes? Foundation You show a broad-based awareness of the research domain. You can identify national or international centres of research excellence in your domain and can list the relevant leading academic journals and their requirements. Intermediate You can identify leading world experts or authorities in the domain and can name the key current research issues and questions. You participate actively in peer review processes and review scientific proposals and publications. Advanced You supervise and assess postgraduate students, projects or programmes and contribute to research strategy formulation. You scope and direct significant corporate research programmes. You formulate research and scientific strategy and scope, direct and lead major Expert research programmes on a national and international level. You lead national or international debate on research policy and planning.

Core research skill 6: reputation and external esteem

Are you aware of the importance of building a research reputation? Have you already started to build a research reputation through conference presentations or publishing research in well revered journals? Foundation You have an awareness of the importance of research reputation and external esteem. You have an emerging national impact or reputation through conference presentations, Intermediate invitations to collaborate in joint research, published output in refereed journals. You have engaged in national or international research activity, e.g. as reviewer in peer Advanced review processes, appointment as European Union expert evaluator, or participant in committee activity for professional bodies. You have a national or international reputation; too many invitations to accept! You have authored landmark publications. Expert You have membership of international advisory groups to public and private sectors and engagement in strategic planning groups at national or international level.

From The Research Observatory. Last edited 27/01/2008 © University of the West of England, Bristol Your core skills results

Fill in this table with your levels for each core skill.

CORE SKILL LEVEL OF SKILL 1. Area / subject expertise 2. Data collection and analysis 3. Generating research output 4. Managing a research project 5. Understanding and influencing the research environment 6. Reputation and external esteem