Postgraduate

Research Experience
Survey - PRES 2015 The University of
Sheffield
Response ID

Completion date

72344-72338-5472172

19 Mar 2015, 19:38 (GMT)

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I have read and understand the data

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described in the data protection statement

To what extent do you agree with the following statements

about supervision?

2.1

My supervisor/s have the skills and subject knowledge to

support my research
1 / 15

2.1.a
2.2

Definitely agree
I have regular contact with my supervisor/s, appropriate for my
needs

2.2.a
2.3

Definitely agree
My supervisor/s provide feedback that helps me direct my
research activities

2.3.a
2.4

Definitely agree
My supervisor/s help me to identify my training and
development needs as a researcher

2.4.a

Definitely agree

If you have any

additional comments
about supervision,
please write them in
here:

The Supervision is great.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following

statements about resources?

4.1

I have a suitable working space

4.1.a
4.2

4.2.a
4.3

4.3.a

Definitely agree
There is adequate provision of computing resources and
facilities
Definitely agree
There is adequate provision of library facilities (including
physical and online resources)
Mostly agree

2 / 15

4.4

I have access to the specialist resources necessary for my

research

4.4.a

Definitely agree

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following

statements about the research culture? (Note: Where we have
used the term 'department' please answer with respect to
your centre, school, institute or other unit where you are
primarily based or attached for your research).

6.1

My department provides a good seminar programme

6.1.a
6.2

Definitely agree
I have frequent opportunities to discuss my research with
other research students

6.2.a
6.3

Definitely agree
The research ambience in my department or faculty stimulates
my work

6.3.a
6.4

Definitely agree
I have opportunities to become involved in the wider research
community, beyond my department

6.4.a

Definitely agree

If you have any

additional comments
about the research
culture, please write
them in here:

The research culture in my department is

great and encouraging.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following

statements about induction, progression arrangements and
assessment?
3 / 15

8.1

8.1.a
8.2

8.2.a
8.3
8.3.a
8.4

8.4.a

I received an appropriate induction to my research degree

programme
Definitely agree
I understand the requirements and deadlines for formal
monitoring of my progress
Definitely agree
I understand the required standard for my thesis
Definitely agree
The final assessment procedures for my degree are clear to
me
Definitely agree

10

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following

statements about responsibilities?

10.1

My institution values and responds to feedback from research

degree students

10.1.a
10.2
10.2.a
10.3

10.3.a
10.4

10.4.a

Definitely agree
I understand my responsibilities as a research degree student
Definitely agree
I am aware of my supervisors' responsibilities towards me as
a research degree student
Definitely agree
Other than my supervisor/s, I know who to approach if I am
concerned about any aspect of my degree programme
Definitely agree

4 / 15

12

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following

statements about research skills development?

12.1

My skills in applying appropriate research methodologies,

tools and techniques have developed during my programme

12.1.a
12.2

Definitely agree
My skills in critically analysing and evaluating findings and
results have developed during my programme

12.2.a
12.3

Definitely agree
My confidence to be creative or innovative has developed
during my programme

12.3.a
12.4

Definitely agree
My understanding of 'research integrity' (e.g. rigour, ethics,
transparency, attributing the contribution of others) has
developed during my programme

12.4.a

13

Definitely agree

If you have any

additional comments
about research skills
development please
write them in here:

My skills have definitely improved since I

started my research programme.

14

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following

statements about professional development?

14.1

My ability to manage projects has developed during my

programme

14.1.a
14.2

Definitely agree
My ability to communicate information effectively to diverse
audiences has developed during my programme
5 / 15

14.2.a
14.3

Definitely agree
I have developed contacts or professional networks during
my programme

14.3.a
14.4

Definitely agree
I have increasingly managed my own professional
development during my programme

14.4.a

Definitely agree

15

If you have any

additional comments
about professional
development, please
write them in here:

16

Please indicate which

of the following
opportunities you
have experienced
during your research
degree programme
(select all that
apply):

17

Please indicate
whether you have
taught (or
demonstrated) at
your institution
during your research
degree programme.

I have been involved in some teaching events

as well as presentations and I realised I have
really improved.

Agreeing a personal training or

development plan
Receiving training to develop my research
skills
Receiving training to develop my
transferable skills
Communicating your research to a nonacademic audience

Yes

6 / 15

17.a

If yes, to what
extent do you agree
that you have been
given appropriate
support and
guidance for your
teaching?

Definitely agree

17.b

Did you receive

formal training for
your teaching?

Yes

18

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following

statements about your experience?

18.1

Overall, I am satisfied with the experience of my research

degree programme

18.1.a
18.2

Definitely agree
I am confident that I will complete my research degree
programme within my institution's expected timescale

18.2.a

19

Definitely agree

If you have any

additional comments
about your
experience of your
research degree
programme, please
write them in here.
For example, what
would further
improve your
experience?

My research experience has been great. I

have been involved in various training
programmes so as to continue to improve on
my skills (presentation, communication and
research. I really cherish the experience so
far and hope to become an improved version
of my pre-PhD state.

7 / 15

20

I am studying for this

qualification at the
University of
Sheffield because:
(please select all that
apply)

Graduates from Sheffield have good

career and employment prospects
Because of the overall reputation of the
University
Because of the Universitys reputation in
my chosen subject area
Because of the reputation of the
department
Because of the reputation of particular
member(s) of academic staff
I have studied at the University before
I was attracted by the research topic
offered

21

In your view have

you had an effective
training needs
analysis that has
clearly helped you
identify your specific
training needs?

Yes

22

In your view have

you had
opportunities to
teach?

Yes

23

Have you had

opportunities to be
involved in the life of
your academic
department?

Yes

8 / 15

24

Do you feel your

academic
department treats
you as a professional
colleague, like
academic members
of staff, respecting
you for your own
expertise?

Yes

25

Do you think you

have/ had
opportunities to
showcase your
research to the
academic community
inside your academic
department?

Yes

26

26.a

Do you think you

have/ had
opportunities to
showcase your
research to the
academic community
outside your
academic
department?

Yes

If you have/had
opportunities, what
means have you
used to showcase
your research?

I would engage in any University-organized

events on Research presentation
competitions like the 'Three Minutes Thesis'
Competition. There are other similar
competitions I would be happy to partake in.

9 / 15

27

27.a

Do you think that

you have/ had
opportunities to
showcase you
research to the
general public?

Yes

If you have had

opportunities, in
what ways have you
showcased your
work?

I would engage in any National events on

Research presentation competitions. I am
not aware of any one at the moment but will
keen on finding such opportunities. I will also
try to attend as well as submit international
conference papers for presentations in the
course of my work.

28

I am actively writing
up at this time

29

Overall in my
project... (please
select all options
which apply):

30

Does the funder of

your research expect
you to undertake an
internship or
placement?

No

I believe that I am on track and making

progress
I know where to go for help with thesis
writing
I feel that I will submit my thesis and finish
on time
I am aware of my deadline and am
planning towards it
I know how a good thesis should be
structured
I am confident in my writing skills

Not applicable

10 / 15

31

As a research student do you find it easy to find the

information that you need on:

31.1

The University's Webpages

31.1.a

Yes

31.2

Your Faculty's Webpages

31.2.a

Yes

31.3

Your Academic Department's Webpages

31.3.a

Yes

32

Which of these
webpages do you
use the most?

Academic Department webpages

33

Do you feel that

sufficient mental
health support is
available to you
when/ if required?

Not applicable

11 / 15

34

Would you be happy

for the University of
Sheffield to contact
you again to invite
you to take part in
discussions, with
other postgraduate
research students,
on your views about
different aspects of
postgraduate
research at
Sheffield? If you
would, please give
your preferred
contact details
below.

Diala Uchenna
uhdiala1@sheffield.ac.uk

35

If you would like the

opportunity to take
part in prize draws
throughout the
survey to win
Amazon Vouchers as
a thank you for
completing this
survey. Please
provide your
University email
address below:

uhdiala1@sheffield.ac.uk

36

I am registered as
doing a:

PhD

12 / 15

36.b

(Doctoral students
only) Is your doctoral
training programme
provided through a
Doctoral Training
Centre, a Doctoral
Training Partnership
or a Centre for
Doctoral Training?

No

37

The main motivation

for me pursuing a
research degree
programme was:

Improving my career prospects for an

academic/research career

38

What type of career

do you have in mind
for when you
complete your
research degree?

Academic career in higher education (either

research and teaching, or teaching only)

39

I am:

31-35 years old

40

I am:

Male

41

Do you consider
yourself to have a
disability?

No

42

Please select which

of the following most
closely matches your
primary discipline:

Electrical and Electronic Engineering,

Metallurgy and Materials

13 / 15

43

Which Department
do you belong to?

Automatic Control and Systems Engineering

44

I am currently
registered as
studying:

Full-time

45

What year of your

research degree
programme are you
in?

Year 1

46

I currently:

Am planning or doing my research

47

I am:

Primarily a face-to-face learner (for example:

based at my institution)

48

48.a

When you started

your programme, did
you consider yourself
to be fluent in
English?

Yes

To what extent do
you agree or
disagree that you
have received
appropriate support
for your English
language needs.

Not applicable

14 / 15

49

For fees purposes, is

your normal place of
residence registered
as:

Non-EU

50

Where is your normal

place of residence?

Nigeria

51

I am:

Black or Black British: African

52

Are you currently in

paid employment?

No

53

53.a

I am (select all that

apply):

Other

If you selected
Other, please
specify:

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

54

In the year before

starting my research
degree programme I:

Worked in the same organisation that I

currently work in

55

Username

UHDiala1@sheffield.ac.uk

15 / 15