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