Recording Your Development
Vitae have produced an online CPD tool which allows researchers to assess the current phase in their researcher development. The tool allows researchers to map their current position according to the Researcher Development Framework and to set objectives for their research which allow them to map their research career and advance in academia gaining the knowledge, behaviours and attitudes necessary to conduct first-class research. The online tool can be found on the Vitae site and there is also a section on the site dedicated to 'Using the Researcher Development Framework as a researcher'.
Using the Online CPD Tool with eProg
The online CPD tool is a working document that can be downloaded as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and used to catalogue any research methods and researcher development activities that you undertake during your research project. For example, you can record any new knowledge that you have gained from attending research methods courses and any reflections you have on the research process, such as how you plan your research.
Once you have mapped your current phase according to the RDF you need to think about how best to meet your researcher development objectives (in consultation with your supervisors). The online CPD tool can run a regular report which can be saved and dated and then uploaded to eProg under the “My Document Store” section.
The CPD tool is a working document and so you will keep different versions of the tool throughout your research programme – you can use the earlier versions to reflect upon and keep track of your development by returning to different versions of the planner.
Please see the guide on how to use the CPD tool with eProg. There is also an excellent screencast with step by step instructions available on the Vitae website.
Research Diary/Blog
Maintaining a Research Diary or blog is optional and at your discretion, but it should be noted that this is an activity that many researchers find beneficial.
The CPD is supported by a continuous cycle of activity based on
- Identifying goals and objectives
- Defining the action to be taken
- Action taken and recorded
- Reflection on outcome and evaluation of achievement/progress.
Reflecting on every aspect of the PhD experience and your professional development helps you to become more self-aware of your overall development and progress. Through greater awareness of transferable skills and growing self-consciousness of professional development, you are enabled to assess your strengths and observe your successes. You should also be able to recognise and identify weak areas and make steps to manage these, and perhaps overcome them completely. This method of self-appraisal is a valuable attribute for researchers at all levels and you are actively encouraged by the University to undertake the process.