CEMARE

Research Degrees

Introduction

The Centre for the Economics and Management of Aquatic Resources (CEMARE) welcomes enquiries from candidates wishing to pursue higher degrees by research. Candidates register for the degree of:

• MPhil
• MPhil with expectation of transfering to PhD, or
• PhD directly

The degree on which the candidate initially registers depends on their qualifications and experience.

The main task of a research student is to undertake independent research of a chosen topic, working closely with a supervisor who guides and advises throughout the period of research. At the end of the period of study the results of the research are embodied in a thesis which is examined by a viva voce examination, when a candidate is required to defend her or his thesis.

Research Interests and Contacts in the Department of Economics
Why Undertake a Higher Degree by Research?
Choosing Your Research Topic
Your Research Proposal
Research Proposal Checklist
PhD Requirements and Time Periods
MPhil Requirements and Time Periods
Entry Requirements and How to Register for a Higher Degree by Research
How to Register for a Higher Degree by Research
Applicants: Mode of Study

Research Interests and Contacts in the Department of Economics

We can offer supervision for both PhD and MPhil, particularly in the following areas:

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Why Undertake a Higher Degree by Research?

• to enhance your career prospects (even if your research is not directly related to your job, employers will frequently look favourably on someone who has taken up this challenge);
• to gain intellectual stimulation;
• to develop further your analytical skills;
• to pursue an area of interest in greater depth.

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Choosing Your Research Topic

CEMARE does not define the topic of the intended research. You should make a proposal indicating the area of research in which you are interested, and consideration is then given to whether or not CEMARE is able to offer supervision in that specific area.

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Your Research Proposal

Before CEMARE accepts a postgraduate research student an assessment is made of the acceptability of the proposed research topic. For this assessment to be made you need to draw up a detailed research proposal which should be submitted with your application.

The research proposal allows us to determine the viability of the research topic. It also allows us to make a judgement concerning the specific competence within the Department to supervise postgraduate research in a particular area.

Guidance on what you might include in the research proposal is contained in the Research Proposal Checklist below.

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Research Proposal Checklist

1. The research problem to be studied
   
   
   1. what is the nature of the problem?
   2. why is it problematic?
   3. what is its significance?
   4. to whom is it significant, and why?
   5. why is it appropriate to study this topic at this time?
   6. what academic research has been undertaken in this area so far?
   7. which authors and models have been most influential in this area, and why?
   8. how will the intended research build upon this academic work?
      
      
2. Definition of research aims
   
   
   1. what are the general and specific aims of the intended research?
   2. how will these aims contribute to understanding?
      
      
3. Research methodology
   
   
   1. what methodologies have you considered?
   2. what authors have influenced your consideration of methodologies, and in what ways?
   3. what would be the most useful methodology to adopt for this investigation and what kinds of data will it yield?
   4. what kinds of hypotheses will you establish?
   5. how would you expect to test these hypotheses?
      
      
4. Access to academic literature and access to data
   
   
   1. what access do you have to substantial academic literature?
   2. what access do you have to data relevant to your study?

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PhD Requirements and Time Periods

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded following the successful completion of an approved programme of supervised research. The time allowed for this varies depending on the route taken and enrolement status:

via MPhil

• full-time minimum period of 30 months and maximum of 48 months;
• part-time minimum of 42 months and maximum of 60 months.

PhD direct (usually for candidates already holding an approved masters degree)

• full-time minimum period is 24 months and maximum 48 months;
• part-time the minimum period is 36 months and maximum of 60 months.

For the award of PhD evidence is required of:

1. knowledge and understanding of the background literature and of research methods appropriate to the discipline;
2. independent critical judgement;
3. a significant contribution to the appropriate field of knowledge;
4. originality;
5. the submission of a written thesis, being a written document and/or other approved media, embodying the results of the research programme and the conclusions arising therefrom;
6. successful defence of the thesis in an oral examination.

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MPhil Requirements and Time Periods

1. For the degree of MPhil evidence is required of:
2. knowledge and understanding of the background literature and of research methods appropriate to the discipline;
3. independent critical judgement;
4. a contribution to the appropriate field of study;
5. The submission of a written thesis embodying the results of the research programmw and the conclusions arising therefrom;
6. successful defence of the thesis in an oral examination.

The Master of Philosophy degree (MPhil) is awarded following the successful completion of an approved programme of supervised research, which full-time is for a minimum period of 18 months and 36 months maximum or part-time, minimum of 30 months or maximum of 48 months.

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Entry Requirements and How to Register for a Higher Degree by Research

You will be eligible for entry if:

1. you hold a good first degree from an internationally recognised University;
2. you can demonstrate that the subjects studied for your first degree provide a sufficient basis for postgraduate research in the area of the topic chosen (this probably means your first degree was in a social science subject but each case will be judged on its own merits)
3. OR in exceptional circumstances, you have a recognised professional qualification.

Potential students who do not have previous resource economics training may be required to undertake part or all of the MSc programme before being admitted to the MPhil/PhD programme.

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How to Register for a Higher Degree by Research

1. You informally contact one of the staff in the table above that seems most relevant to your proposed research and discuss your ideas with him or her
2. You complete a preliminary research proposal. This outlines your proposed research topic, the methods you wish to employ, a brief review of existing literature
3. We decide whether we can accept your proposal and are able to provide supervision
4. You complete an application form for admittance to the University as a Postgraduate Research Student
5. At the same time as enrolling as a student of the University, you make an initial registration for a higher degree by research. (Word or PDF format)
6. The research programme is submitted to the Research Degrees Committee of the University
7. Formal registration is granted

Research Training

In the first year of study students are required to undertake a programme of research training. This normally includes attending courses in research methodology, statistical and econometric methods, and basic economic theory.

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Applicants: Mode of Study

CEMARE is able to offer part-time applicants a period of full-time intensive study and supervision during the first semester of each academic year. Thus research training (where applicable) and supervision for the year is concentrated into a 14 week block.

For more information

If you would like to discuss specific aspects of undertaking a higher degree by research, your research proposal or your application please contact:

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