Learning Needs Analysis

<aside> 🧭 Identify learning and development needs and leverage the results to enable greater performance. Clear, systematic and ongoing identification of how learning needs relate to performance gaps is key in ensuring effective learning and development during a PhD. Successful researchers think carefully and strategically about their skills, objectives and the areas in which they need to develop. This template will help you do that.

First, map where you want to be in one, six and twelve months time. Then, thinking in terms of emotional/wellbeing skills and practical/writing skills, list your current competences and which skills you need to develop in order to help you achieve these goals.

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What I want to achieve in:

One month

Six months

Twelve months

What will help my progress...

Emotional & Wellbeing Skills

Positive traits

What I need to know

Practical & Writing Skills

Positive traits

What I need to know

Next steps

To achieve my goals and address skills shortfalls, I need to:

Chapter Cribsheet

<aside> 💡 Each of the callouts below explains the purpose of the major sections of a typical thesis. Easily see how the different elements of your thesis fit together and make sure you are discussing everything you need to, in the right way and at the right time.

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<aside> 0️⃣ Abstract

Describes what happened during the research

Key Questions to Address
Top Tips </aside>

<aside> 1️⃣ Introduction Chapter

What is your original contribution? Why should the examiner care about your research?

Key Questions to Address
Typical Structure
Top Tips
Markers of Success
Introduction Chapter 101 </aside>

<aside> 2️⃣ Literature Review

What is the case for the research?

Key Question to Address
Purpose of a Literature Review
Key Steps
Writing Up Your Literature Review
Literature Review 101 </aside>

<aside> 3️⃣ Theory Framework

The scaffolding upon which your thesis is built. Think of the theoretical framework like a toolbox that you build from a whole range of available tools.

Key Questions to Address
Things to Include
How to Choose Theories
How to Combine Theories
Theory Framework 101 </aside>

<aside> 4️⃣ Methodology Who what why when and how?

Key Questions To Address
The Job Of A Methods Chapter
Methods Chapter 101 </aside>

<aside> 5️⃣ Empirical Chapter(s)

Discuss and present your findings in a factual way.

Key Questions To Address
Key Considerations
Things to Include </aside>

<aside> 6️⃣ Discussion Chapter

Discuss and relate your findings to the literature review and theory framework. Do so in such a way that a layperson can understand your argument.

Key Questions to Address
Key Considerations
Things to Include
Discussion Chapter 101 </aside>

<aside> 7️⃣ Conclusion

Summarise what you did, what you found and what the implications are.

Key Questions to Address
Key Considerations
Conclusion Chapter 101 </aside>

<aside> 8️⃣ References

All references cited in the text must appear in the reference list.

Key Questions to Address </aside>