Resources for research students

  • Useful information, documents and links for research students.

  • Please download our useful document, Hints and tips for creating an academic poster.

    Professor Susan Brooks, Director of Researcher Development, also runs a training session on 'Creating an academic poster' which runs once a year in the run up to the Graduate College Research Student Exhibition. You can find further details on our Graduate College Annual Research Student Exhibition page.

    For staff and research students (in this context, students registered for an MPhil/PhD, PhD,EdD, DCaM, or other professional doctorates), an application for research ethics review should be made on the UREC E2U form.

    UREC will only consider applications after they have been signed off by the Faculty Research Ethics Officer. Once this has been done a complete copy of the application (completed E2U form plus supporting documents) should be sent, unstapled and printed either all double-sided or all single-sided to the UREC Administrator, Louise Wood in the Research and Business Development Office by the deadline date.

    Further details can be found on Research ethics review.

    File encryption is increasingly considered as a robust means of protecting sensitive and/or confidential documents whether or not they are to be shared. The below documents provide guidance on installing and using two University approved encryption tools for use on Windows and MacOs computers: 7-zip and Keka. Linux users can use the File Roller application (with p7zip-full installed) or try one of the 7-zip ports available on the 7-zip website.

    The maximum file size for encryption is 16 Exabytes (EB), almost limitless for most purposes. There should be no geographical restrictions on downloading the software.

    Further details can be found on A user guide to file encryption.

    Potential participants must be given sufficient information to allow them to decide whether or not they want to take part in a research study.

    Where research involves face to face interviews, focus groups, direct observation or similar methods of data collection, participants should be given an information sheet (or leaflet) and asked to sign a consent form.

    Where participants are asked to complete and return a questionnaire, the questionnaire should be accompanied by a participant information sheet but no consent form is needed as consent is implied by returning the questionnaire. Please note: This method of consent for questionnaires/surveys will change in May 2018 following the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

    The information sheet, covering letter or leaflet should be printed on Brookes headed paper (where appropriate) with full contact details.

    Further details can be found on Guidelines for informed consent.

    Full details of all Library services for researchers can be found on their Research webpage.

    You can also download the comprehensive guide to Library services for researchers.

    Referencing

    An essential element of your research activities will relate to successfully managing references to the sources, both primary and secondary, that you already have or will need to consult. Developing a systematic approach to this will save you time and heartache when you are writing up.

    • EndNote: reference management software for assisting with studying, research and creating bibliographies
    • Citation guides: including British Standard and Harvard

    EndNote, a type of reference management service, is an invaluable aid for researchers. It enables you to store and organise all your references, import references from electronic resources and create in-text citations and formatted bibliographies in your written work. For information about EndNote, including training details, see Endnote.

    Using other libraries

    You will be able to use, for reference purposes, the University of Oxford’s Bodleian and dependent libraries. For more information, see Access to other libraries.

    The SCONUL Access scheme gives borrowing facilities to research students in many UK higher education libraries. For further details, see SCONUL Access.

    Open Access publishing

    The Library supports open access publishing by making research outputs, research data, open educational resources (OER) publicly available via the Research Archive and Digital Asset Repository (RADAR), the University’s Institutional Repository.

    You can add your research publications using the CRIS (Current Research Information System). For more information, contact openaccess@brookes.ac.uk

    Details of the University's guidance on proofreading can be viewed and downloaded from:

    When you submit your thesis for examination, you will need to complete the Candidate's Submission Form which must also be signed by your Director of Studies.

    When you submit the final paper and electronic versions of your thesis, you will need to complete the Candidate's Declaration Form. This form gives details of options for dealing with copyright material in your thesis.

    If you need to obtain permission for the use of third party copyright material in your thesis, you may use the following letter template (Word).

    Intellectual property is a key concern to researchers as the production of intellectual content is what defines their role as researchers. Oxford Brookes has an 'Intellectual property policy and regulations' document that can be accessed from the Policies and codes of practice webpage.

    There are many resources created by external institutions to help you develop your research profile:

    • Vitae: a non-profit programme supporting the professional development of researchers
    • UKRI: UK Research and Innovation: support researchers and develop capability in research through a number of mechanisms
    • Office for Students: work with providers and employers to address skills gaps, and make graduates more employable