Librarianship (Taught)

The Department of Information Studies is able to supervise students researching into any aspect of modern librarianship or information science. The topic for research is chosen by the applicant, who should submit a proposal outlining the aims and methodology of the research. Intending applicants are invited to make informal enquiries about the suitability and viability of the topics before a formal application is submitted, and staff of the Department will advise candidates on the development of acceptable proposals if necessary. In the case of the Doctoral degree (PhD), a clear indication of the amount of original work to be undertaken will be required.

Research students undertake a programme of research and present a thesis on a chosen topic. The aim is to provide candidates with training in research methodology, by requiring them to undertake work which displays knowledge of the field and an ability to exercise critical judgement. Full time students are also required to register for the Research Training Programme. This is a course of six modules designed to provide training and research methods which is taken during the student's first year of study. The conduct of the research is the student's responsibility, but each candidate is assigned a Director of Studies with whom the candidate is expected to consult on a regular basis.

The university has a proud tradition of research excellence, as demonstrated in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2014) assessment. It placed the university in the top 50 institutions for research power and intensity. It submitted 77% of eligible staff and 95% of the university's research was of an internationally recognised standard.