======= Date Modified 17 Feb 2011 19:23:29 =======
======= Date Modified 17 Feb 2011 19:16:24 =======
Hi,

I have a 2:2 BSc and a PGCert in Social Research Methods. I've been trying to complete an MSc in Social Research Methods but sadly my health deteriorated quite badly so I had to pull out and take a PGCert. I would argue this is also the reason I ended up with a 2:2. I simply do not have the money to carry on either and because of funding cuts the qualification is being removed before I'll have a chance to complete it.

I feel I understand research methods well enough to do some research. I have a number of ideas about what I could do research on, and have written a proposal.

I understand how important it is to have a supervisor but I simply will not be able to afford to have one or be accepted onto a research course with my qualifications and the fact that I've basically just failed an MSc.

So my question is, do you think it's possible to do research and write research papers without a supervisor. Is it possible to submit a paper to any journals without them having to be authored by an academic? I know it will need to come under intense scrutiny, so how should I go about doing that before I submit if I'm not a PhD student? I really want to get on with this research, I think it's important research partly because it doesn't seem like anyone has really followed the line of inquiry I wish to take.

With the caveat that regulations differ from institution to institution and region to region, I would think, to be honest, that you would find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to proceed without a supervisor.

It is of course technically possible to write research papers without supervision but without institutional registration behind you, I don't think any journal will accept them for review. The review process can be quite savage at the best of times and nigh on impossible if you are not accredited. Being blunt, I don't think your paper would be considered - but I may be wrong.

Also, from the research point of view, when a person is trying to recruit participants, your institutional details give you some sort of clout and an 'in' into the area - particularly if you are dealing with gatekeepers. People want to know who you are working for, what your agenda is, where will your reserach be published and so on.

If you enjoy the reserach process so much but can't go down the PhD route, perhaps consider private consultancy work, or reserach for a think-tank. However, to be even more gloomy (sorry) I would think they have so many people applying that they take only those people with the best qualifications. Although years ago people gained their experience at the coalface, these days I'm afraid you need the qualifications.

Another option is perhaps target private industry in your field, try and get an interview to pitch your proposal to them and argue that they pay for you to reserach at university. I asked someone once how to 'cold-call' an organisation I would like to work for. "What will I ask them?" to which this wise person replied, "you're not asking them, you tell them what you could add to their organisation". I haven't actually done that yet but I might - but when I have my PhD.

Sorry to be so gloomy

It's quite common in history for people to work as independent researchers. Often, like me, that happens after they complete a PhD. But sometimes they don't have a PhD. And journal papers are accepted from such researchers. But I suspect this would be much rarer in your subject.

The big drawback with not being affiliated, when it comes to writing journal papers, is that you do not have access to academic research resources like electronic journal papers, which are often restricted to university staff and students. To write a good journal paper you need to keep up to date with current research and publications. You can't just write about what you've done. and without access to electronic journals this can be a huge problem.

It applies to independent researchers all over the world, who battle against it to various degrees. My university awarded me an honorary research fellowship, which means I still have access to e-resources. Otherwise I'd be really struggling as I turn my PhD thesis into more journal papers.

======= Date Modified 17 Feb 2011 20:41:04 =======

Thanks for all the advice from both of you. I'm in the fortunate position to be enrolled at a Russell Group University doing a CertHE in languages, which I don't have to finish until 2014. So that solves the problem with gaining access to journals etc and also gives access to software. I think maybe it may be worth trying to do this research and perhaps using it in some way to gain entry onto a PhD. Would that be an option?

Could be - though maybe ethical implications of doing a language course and tipping away at your own research in the background, on uni property, using uni software etc???

Still, it keeps you in the uni loop. It sounds like the challenge will be to get an interview for a PhD place/scholarship but after that you could very likely convince them of your suitability for the research.

Good luck(up)