PhD by Publication Support Programme: Next Steps

To engage with our supervisors, you must be able to write a research proposal or demonstrate the ability to produce a scholarly paper worthy of publication. Our supervisors need to be confident in your capacity for independent research.

We understand that not all Master’s programmes equip students with research methods, and not everyone graduates with the ability to write a research proposal. Additionally, some graduates may not have written for a long time and might feel they need extra support. Therefore, we offer several options to assist you.

 If you are academically confident and capable of publishing already, your supervisor will serve as a mentor to guide your ideas and share their knowledge.

With this route, you have the choice of either a scholastic paper or research paper.

a) Scholastic Paper

A scholastic paper can cover anything from a literature review to a theoretical debate.

Process and Cost:

1. Book a consultation to discuss your requirements.
2. Submit a sample of your writing at M level (VSC students will not need to do this).
3. Await feedback on whether you are ready for this level of independence.
4. Find an appropriate supervisor.
5. Supervision begins.

b) Research Paper

1. Book a research consultation to discuss the proposal and your research interests. Some modifications may be needed.
2. Download the ghosted research proposal with guidance on structure and expectations.
3. Submit the research proposal.
4. Align with a supervisor.
5. Send the research proposal to your prospective supervisor.
6. Gain ethics approval with guidance on completing paperwork and creating a robust ethics form.
7. Await ethics approval.
8. Six supervision sessions begin.

This Route is for Those Who Require Additional Support.

Please book a consultation to discuss your requirements.

With this route, you have the choice of either a scholastic paper or research paper.

a) Scholastic Paper

You can opt in and out of the following stages depending on your level of confidence.

Stage 1: Preparatory Course (8 sessions)

• Five classes on writing to a publishable standard, focusing on critical analysis and developing a strong author’s voice. You will also learn search strategies and document storage.
• Three classes on the literature review process, thinking of literature as data.
• Access to our Canvas VLE to watch on playback and follow announcements.

Stage 2: External supervisor allocated.

• Six supervision sessions.
• Paper completed within a six to eight-month time frame.

Stage 3: Peer Review

Peer review from either your supervisor or an independent academic. (You may feel confident to submit to peer review without any feedback.)

b) Research Paper

You can opt in and out of the following stages depending on your level of confidence.

Stage 1: Qualitative Research Methods (5 sessions)

In this course, you will gain an overview of qualitative research methodology. You will leave with an understanding of the foundational principles of qualitative research, enabling you to engage in a small-scale qualitative research inquiry confidently. The course includes guided reading and tasks to help you write your research proposal confidently. If you are a beginner researcher with no previous experience in research methods, we suggest you begin here.

Statistics for Quantitative Researchers (8 sessions)

This course equips those wishing to undertake quantitative research methods with the statistical understanding needed.

Quantitative Research (8 weeks)

This course familiarises you with a range of quantitative research designs, with an emphasis on those suited to small-scale designs.

Stage 2: Support with Writing a Research Proposal

We will not submit your research proposal to our supervisors unless you show the level of competency required to conduct the research. If you need additional support, please factor that in.

Stage 3:

1. Book a research consultation to discuss the proposal and your research interests. Some modifications may be needed.
2. Download the ghosted research proposal with guidance on structure and expectations.
3. Submit the research proposal.
4. Align with a supervisor.
5. Send the research proposal to your prospective supervisor.
6. Gain ethics approval with guidance on completing paperwork and creating a robust ethics form.
7. Await ethics approval.
8. Six supervision sessions begin.

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