Halfway Down the Stairs: Research Approaches

Research skills training session



Overview

Consider the nature of different perspectives (epistemology and ontology) that are often knowingly and unknowingly held by individuals.  

During this session we will consider alternate viewpoints and why they are important to pay attention to during a research study. The session also considers the process of coming to know something afresh through the lens of a scientist, social scientist, humanities student and art-based researcher. The scrutiny of your own understanding of classic poetry and fiction will provide a springboard to consider these perspectives.

This session is aimed at external postgraduates (those not studying at Oxford University) who are applying for, or are currently enrolled on, a PhD programme.

This session is part of our Graduate School programme of research skills training. To stay informed of future courses and training events, sign up to receive email updates.

Programme details

Tutors

Sarah Frodsham is Co-Director of the Graduate School and Chair of Ethics at Oxford Lifelong Learning, Department for Continuing Education.

Alistair Beecher is Co-Director of the Graduate School and a history tutor at Oxford Lifelong Learning, Department for Continuing Education.

About our series of research skills training sessions

In 2024 we launched a trial series of research skills sessions open to postgraduate researchers external to the University and, due to the sucess of these, the sessions have run again each year since.

Each session is independent of each other and can be applied for separately, although a fee reduction is available for anyone applying for all five sessions. 

All sessions can be attended either in Oxford or online.

Learn more about the other individual sessions on offer as part of this series:

Digital Certification

Upon successful completion of this session, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford.

After the session, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Fee for this training session £75.00

Funding

There are no sources of funding (scholarships, bursaries, etc) available however, if you register for all 6 sessions as part of this research skills training programme, a discount of 20% is available. To obtain this discount please apply for the discounted package.

Payment

Successful applicants will be emailed an invoice for the training session fees. 

If you register for all 6 sessions a discount of 20% is available. To obtain this discount please apply for the discounted package.

Learn more about the other individual sessions on offer as part of this series:

Course aims

  • Consider how philosophical views relating to ontology and epistemology are demonstrated through the self, different disciplines and through poetry. 
  • Come to appreciate how social cultural and historical experiences can inform and shape researchers’ approaches. 
  • Apply ontological and epistemological perspectives to personal and contrasting contexts and situations. 

Application

This session is aimed at external postgraduates (those not studying at Oxford University) who are applying for, or are currently enrolled on, a PhD programme.

Applicants must submit a current CV which will allow the course tutors to assess your suitability for this training session.

How to apply

To apply for this session, please select the green 'apply' button at the top of this page.

Application deadline

Applications will close at 8am UK time on Wednesday 22 July 2026.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support