Institute of International Relations

Guidelines for individual research plans of doctoral students preparing doctoral dissertations at the INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS at the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University

1. Pursuant to Art. 13. section 2 of the Regulations of the Doctoral School of Social Sciences at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, the doctoral student's obligation is to prepare - in cooperation with the doctoral dissertation supervisor - an individual research plan. This plan should be prepared at the end of the first year of education in doctoral school, but so that it can be approved by the Scientific Council of the Institute of International Relations no later than September of the academic year in which the doctoral student began the education.

2. The individual research plan should include the above-mentioned activities related to the preparation of a doctoral dissertation and the presentation of research results.

Activities related to scientific research for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation

Schedule of activities

Activities related to scientific research for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation are intended to shape and reflect a high level of research culture of the doctoral student. They are intended to shape and reflect: 1) theoretical and methodological awareness and the correctness of the scientific language within the research identity of the "international relations" discipline, 2) the diversity of forms of presenting research results and the need for their internationalization; 3) awareness of the need and ability to prepare applications for financial resources for research; 4) awareness of constant improvement of research competences.

These activities include:

1. Preparation of an initial concept - reflecting the identity of the discipline "international relations" - of a doctoral dissertation containing: a) the topic of the doctoral dissertation; b) defining the research problem addressed in the dissertation; c) defining the cognitive purpose of the dissertation; d) formulating research questions; e) formulating research hypotheses that will be verified or falsified; f) determining the methodology of the planned research, taking into account, among others, schools of theoretical thinking, research methods, research techniques; g) preliminary analysis of previous research and the place of those proposed in the existing knowledge; h) structure of the dissertation divided into chapters and subchapters and a preliminary description of the planned content of the chapters.

2. Stages of implementation of detailed research tasks, conducted query, reflecting the proposed structure of the dissertation.

3. Submitting a doctoral dissertation and initiating a doctoral thesis.

4. Preparing and submitting an application for a research grant related to the topic discussed in the doctoral dissertation. The application may be submitted to domestic or foreign institutions.

5. Recommended participation in summer schools, theoretical and methodological workshops or other forms of improving research competences.

At the end of the first year of education in doctoral school, so that the concept of planned research - being part of the individual research plan - can be approved by the Scientific Council of the Institute of International Relations no later than September of the academic year in which the doctoral student began the education. 

Preliminary determination of the completion of the source search and review of scientific literature as well as the deadlines for finalizing the chapters of the dissertation.

No later than in the 8th semester of education in doctoral school.

The 4th-5th semester of the education in doctoral school seems to be optimal.

Throughout the entire period of education at the doctoral school.

Działania związane z prezentacją wyników badań

Harmonogram działań

1. Preparation for printing and publishing at least one publication.

2. Preparation for printing and publishing at least two publications, including those in foreign languages.

3. Participation in scientific conferences with a paper presented, including international conferences with a paper presented in a foreign language.

For mid-term evaluation of a doctoral student.

After mid-term evaluation, and before initiating the doctoral program and defending the dissertation.

At least once in each year of education in doctoral school.