Postgraduate Certificate in Research

The PG Certificate in Research programme provides a robust framework in which to gain the skills and knowledge required to become an effective researcher.With 75% of the programme in terms 1 and 2 delivered online in live virtual sessions, the physical, in-school classes at the beginning of term 2 will enable you still to develop important peer support networks and participate in practical workshops, while juggling part-time work or other commitments. 

You will be introduced to a range of theories, methods and practices from diverse disciplinary traditions, as well as to emergent and highly creative approaches to research. The programme offers space for the cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural dialogues to develop which may shape holistic and collaborative research activities and interventions, as well as to those that may be more conventionally specialised.

This programme is ideal for those working in higher education who wish to gain a deeper understanding of academic research methods and opportunities, as well for as those with experience in other employment who wish to advance their expertise in their field through research.

On successful completion of the programme, opportunities to disseminate your research are provided, such as symposia/exhibition platforms and support offered in developing submissions for conferences and publication.

In terms 1 and 2, on Friday mornings, you will learn core research skills and approaches, as well as the essential ethical considerations of research, which are directly applied to creating a rigorous research proposal, submitted at the end of term 2. The proposal will clearly define and justify a personal research project, articulating your research questions, aim/s, objectives, selected methods of investigation, and the expected outcomes, as well as the values, positionality, conceptual frameworks, contextual reviews, and/or practical experimentation that have informed these.

In term 3, you will implement your research proposal to develop a substantial body of personal research that will be summarized in, or accompanied by (in the case of practice research) a research report. This independent research will be supported by 1-1 tutorials with a designated supervisor and by work-in-progress plenary sessions where you can share work in progress amongst peers.

The programme will offer an exciting professional development opportunity to existing academics or those wishing to enter academia, enhancing their research skills and profiles and enabling them to define and extend their values, identities and experience as fashion/ design/ styling/ business professionals. In addition, it supports graduates or others wishing to progress on to PhD study.

Course aims:

• To equip students with the skills and knowledge required to conduct rigorous, competent and creative research.
• To support students in developing and completing an innovative personal, independent research project at postgraduate level.

Course objectives:

• Provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to plan and complete a rigorous research project at postgraduate level.
• Promote a critical awareness of key theories, debates and practices that inform academic research.
• Deliver a comprehensive review of ethical considerations that must be addressed and procedures that must be followed when conducting research.
• Introduce students to creative, emergent, as well as more established research methods.
• Provide a supportive framework in which students may develop their skills, knowledge, professional currency, research values and identities.
• Offer a supportive framework in which students can work independently, in developing a robust, innovative, personal research project.
• Disseminate research outcomes effectively and imaginatively.

• Conceptual frameworks for research
• Positionality and values
• Research methods
• Creative approaches to research
• Research ethics, values and positionality
• Research planning, development and completion