Research development workshop: why do research?

I’m attending a research development workshop on campus for all staff members who are just beginning their PhD’s. I’ll post my notes here as we progress.

Why engage in research?

• It’s expensive (manpower, finance, cost, equipement)
• Dependent on motivation, commitment, hard work, ability, enthusiasm

• BUT…
• It enhances learning and intellectual development of staff
• Keeps staff abreast of current developments
• Allows interactions with peers from other institutions
• Through collaborative programmes, it promotes institutional interactions, generating a source of funding
• Promotes interaction with parastatal organisations e.g. NRF
• Contributes to RDP of the country
• Contributes to the development of a strong PG school
• Transforms the approach to learning → allows you to engage in parallel thinking

Mechanics of the process

1. Honours, or Basic Science degree → enthusiast with focus on higher education
2. Masters → to get a Masters without going through to PhD is a “tragedy”
3. PhD

Selecting a topic

• Self choice by virtue of preference
• Have a general idea of fields of interest e.g. curriculum development
• No particular preference, explore what’s available
• Theoretical or experimental / practical

Critical factors for success

• Self motivation (since one is not driven by examination) → weekends and evenings
• Choice of supervisor
  • Expert in the area
  • Must give guidance
  • Must inspire the student
  • There must be a relationship that goes beyond the research topic
  • Must be able to agree to regular meetings that have set objectives
• Work consistently

Benefits of conducting research

• Develops you as an academic
• Allows you to engage with your peers more confidently
• Allows you to rationalise research programmes
• Promotes inter-departmental / institutional interaction
• Harness internal and external funding for research, as well as for attending conferences
• Research reward funds