Vol. 2, Issue 1 | April 2014
Researchers Quarterly
Research Centre
Research Centre
The LSC Researchers Quarterly is a publication of the LSC Group of Colleges and aims at publicising the LSC research and promote training through reflective practice.
Editor: Dr Nandish Patel (Research Degrees Programme Leader) Design: Graça Gabriel (Head Librarian)
LSC Research Centre Pocock House Campus 235 Southwark Bridge Road London SE1 6NP LSC is a division of St. Piran’s School (GB) Ltd.
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Colleagues and Research Students, our joint aim is to promote research training though informed pedagogy based on reflective practice. Peer Support Networks (PSN) are very useful for research students because they learn to draw on each others‟ research knowledge, skills and strengths. Early year researchers can draw on the experiences of later year researchers in such PSN. A PSN is a very good example of „enhancement‟ methods to deliver research training; such pedagogic methods are extra to the formal required supervisory contact.
Dr. Lu‟ayy‟s article concerns how a research centre involved in researcher training can use such „enhancement‟ methods, through PSN, to delivery better student experience. He writes that his research students have benefitted, and I have been pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm for the PSN that his research students have communicated to me. Research ethics is something we all want to skim over in our own research because it does not seem to be at the core of our research interest. On the contrary, having attended Professor Scott Fleming‟s seminar on research ethics recently, I for one, have become highly motivated to pay closer attention to ethics of research.
LSC Researchers Quarterly | 2(1) | April 2014
Nandish Patel When research is viewed from the perspective of respondents and their rights it helps us to connect to our ultimate research goal of contributing to the body of knowledge for the benefit of those same respondents. Preparation for supervision requires closer study at the LSC Research Centre. I am certain that colleagues will have their own ideas on how they prepare for their supervision of their students, and even attended supervision training. This will be a major theme for the next issue of the Quarterly. Please submit your piece on this interesting pedagogy and any other aspect of research supervision, including how our research students themselves should prepare for their supervisory meeting.
I am delighted to announce Dr Lu‟ayy‟s Lecture at Harvard University. The title of his Lecture is: “Mandatory Securities Disclosure under Shari„a and Comparative Aspects of Prospectus Liability for Fraudulent and/or Negligent Misstatements”. (editor)
Harvard Law School Dr. Lu’ayy Al-Rimawi
As LSC Research Fellow and Director of Studies, Dr Lu‟ayy freely and generously shares his substantial achievements in the field of Islamic finance with his LSC research students. (Editor) The sixth in the 2013-2014 ILSP Lecture Series, presented by Lu‟ayy Al-Rimawi, ILSP Visiting Fellow, and Director of Studies, Doctoral Programme, London School of Commerce. More details at: http://www.islamicstudies.harvard.edu/event/mandatory-securities-disclosure-undersharia-and-comparative-aspects-of-prospectus-liability-for-fraudulent-andor-negligent-misstatements/
To begin with I must state that I am impressed with the manner in which the LSC values its research students. This was evident in my dealings with Dr Nandish – observing how keen he is to gain first-hand knowledge from the students and their supervisors, always ready to chip in with his valuable experience and incisive comments. So, credit goes to Dr Nandish for supporting initiatives and innovative thinking in our doctoral program.
My Experience in Setting up Peer Support Network at the LSC Dr Lu’ayy Minwer Al-Rimawi Director of Studies, LSC Research Fellow
“I am impressed with the manner in which the LSC values its research students.” Not only do our students need a vibrant academic environment, they equally need intellectually and socially stimulating surroundings which will ensure their progression within maximum engagement. Indeed, this maximum engagement cannot be achieved if our PhD students were treated as compartmentalized units, isolated from each other unable to capitalize on wider synergical vibes that can only be gained through rigorous intellectual brainstorming with like-minded peers.
LSC Researchers Quarterly | 2(1) | April 2014
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Indeed, it is this realization which led me to propose to my students if they would like to set a peer support group with academic and social themes–explaining that the objective for this would be to help them form a cohesive intellectual and social unit. I did stipulate from the beginning that the success of this group would be connected to their own initiative and enthusiasm and that it would be them who would have to engage with each other. I equally stated quite clearly to them that the agreement and enthusiasm of each one of them would be vital to kick start this initiative. So, if the commitment was less that %100 (i.e. even if one student was not convinced or keen on this idea), then the peer support group would not be set up. I also explained to them that setting this peer support group wasn‟t mandatory so they shouldn‟t feel pressured into supporting the idea. Having explained the benefits to them, my students then voted on the idea. To my delight it was %100 commitments, with none vetoing or abstaining. I explained that it would be a great idea if they met for lunch or dinner every 2-3 weeks in each other houses, where they would have a precirculated agenda of academic discussions – mostly relevant to the host‟s work, especially as all my students are at similar research stage. I also explained that they all needed to read and study what is circulated and pencil any questions or clarifications so that they could discuss them during their meeting in a wider multilateral discourse about specific academic topics, issues and themes. Indeed, this peer support group would benefit our PhD students at all levels as well. This is especially as it will break the barriers, enhance and create long-lasting friendships and provide familiarity for our PhD students when they come to LSC. Needless to say, during these informal meetings the students are also expected to discuss their mutual academic problems and suggest solutions to each other, before they would escalate such matters to LSC authorities for formal assistance. Most crucially, such peer support group will also provide ample opportunities for the
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LSC Researchers Quarterly | 2(1) | April 2014
students to be aware of the academic work of each other, thus expanding the intellectual and academic horizons of each member of the peer support group. The feedback which I regularly get from my PhD students is remarkably positive. From a tentative start, the peer support group has now developed solid friendship and respect between my PhD students –a far cry from when they started, being strangers to each other with no conception of their mutual academic and intellectual interests. The peer support group also provides a great social outlet for our students to improve and sharpen their interactive skills. This is especially as they become more confident in their abilities to interact socially and engage in hosting each other with respect, deference and deep appreciation of the fascinating cultures to each student belongs.
“…a very worthwhile experience, with tangible positive results…” All in all, a very worthwhile experience, with tangible positive results on the ground. I highly recommend this notion of colleagueship, intellectual and social solidarity to all our PhD students at LSC. DrLu'ayyMinwer Al-Rimawi, LLM (Cambridge), MSc Econ. (LSE), PhD Law (LSE). Currently a Visiting Fellow, Harvard Law School, ILSP. Formerly, United Kingdom Home Office (London).Former Part-Time Lecturer in Public International Law, LSE. International Director (Middle East), International Cambridge Symposium on Economic Crime, Jesus College (Cambridge University). Regional Director of Research (Middle East), Centre for International Documentation on Organised and Economic Crime (CIDOEC), Jesus College (Cambridge University. He is also Director, Founder and Proprietor, Cambridgeshire Multimillion residential Fund (Cambridgeshire, UK). CoDirector, MA Programme in Islamic Financial & Business Law, BPP University (London, UK). Lead Doctoral Supervisor, Greenwich School of Management, University of Wales (UK). Author, Raising Capital on Arab Equity Markets: Legal and Juridical Aspects of Arab Securities Regulations (Kluwer Law International, 2012)
Self-Forming Peer Support Network Gafur, Abi and Mostain, Cohort 19 Mostain, Abi and Gafur, well done for forming your Peer Support Network (PSN). I know you have additional members who do join you at your meetings and I know your meetings are professional and well conducted. This PSN has invited Dora who is in her third year of the programme to share her knowledge of the phd. Dora has submitted her draft thesis, had her mock Vova Viva and is completing the corrections before the final submission. Below is their own account of the benefits they derive from their PSN. (Editor)
Mostain
Abi
Gafur
„Intellectuals provide vital guidance when they refer us to peers as a source of learning, resulting in supportive peer network from diverse business and management disciplines. The result is remarkable because of the tangible improvement in our knowledge.‟
The structure of each PSN meeting is set a week earlier. Our main focus is argumentation and criticism of each other's RDP. The outcomes of these meetings are undoubtedly beneficial for all of the members of group.
Researchers Gafur, Abi and Mostain were thinking to create a group to share knowledge in their different areas of research interests. We are motivated, inspired and dedicated and formed our PSN in March 2014.
Lack of awareness on how to start RDP, how to start an intellectual argument, how an individual becomes confident by presenting his/her works in front of other researchers, problems and contribution of research and many more issues came out in our discussions.
“The outcomes of these meetings are undoubtedly beneficial for all of the members of group.” Our PSN started with three peers at LSC Research Centre. Another three peers have recently joined us and we have seen a productive intellectual‟s engagement with them. Our PSN group meets every Thursday at 12pm in LSC Research Centre.
A notable success was to come up with a new „Research Title‟ for one of the team members struggling to put her ideas together. This is an open space for intellectuals who are always welcome to join and start criticizing intellectually and contribute new knowledge to the society. Moreover, all credit goes to Professor Nandish Patel who was the first person to inspire and motivate us to start such networking at the London School of Commerce.
“This is an open space for intellectuals who are always welcome to join and start criticizing intellectually and contribute new knowledge to the society.” LSC Researchers Quarterly | 2(1) | April 2014
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Preparing a Research Degree Proposal (RDP) - Ethical Approval and Risk Assessment
“…researchers should treat research participants as though they were their close friends…”
Professor Scott Fleming University Director of Research and Graduate Studies Chair, Research Degrees Committee Cardiff Metropolitan University The Research Degree Proposal (RDP) sets out an intended direction of travel for a programme of research. There are two relatively brief sections of around 200 words each that require some thought to be given to 'ethical approval' and to 'risk assessment' - see Research Degree Proposal Guidance Notes for the Completion of the Form. The section on ethical approval is concerned primarily with an identification of the key themes and issues that will arise or are foreseeable possibilities. Full consideration of them occurs in a separate process and requires the completion of the Application for Ethics Approval form. For the RDP, though, it is sufficient merely to indicate that good practice in research ethics has been formed part of the planning of the research. An important point of departure for this task is voluntary informed consent (VIC) - a cornerstone of research ethics governance. Most projects will address VIC very transparently, but for those that do not, a rationale will be expected (see Fleming, 2013). In dealing with VIC some thought should be given to harm, anonymity, data protection, and so on. There may also be particular concerns about research that is sensitive, and may lead to 'guilty knowledge' or even 'dirty hands', as well as other matters linked to vulnerable populations, the law of the land, and the codes of conduct of subject associations and/or professional bodies. Crucially, though, this part of the RDP requires more than just confirmation of compliance with Cardiff Metropolitan University's principles and procedures for research ethics. As an aside, if you’re looking for somewhere to start on this aspect of the RDP, Roger Homan’s (1991) book, The Ethics of Social Research, remains as relevant now as it was when it was published
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first. It is also engagingly written and conceptually sophisticated. Consideration of risk assessment is linked to research ethics. Simply, it is based on anticipation of the things that might go wrong, how likely those eventualities are, and what can be put in place to limit the damage caused by them. Generally, researchers are very good at recognizing the risks to participants in empirical studies, and the principle of 'McFee's Friends' guides research conduct. That is to say, researchers should treat research participants as though they were their close friends (McFee 2010). In contrast, researchers are generally less skilled at anticipating the risks to themselves, to other persons who are not participants, and in particular to the risks to a project as a whole. For instance, what if access to an expected research context or environment becomes impossible? What are the implications of being unable to recruit sufficient participants? How would the proposed research be affected by the resignation of the main 'gatekeeper' who has granted permission for an organisation to be the focus of the research when it has started? This section of the RDP should make clear the contingency planning should these risks become realities. (Incidentally, including this bracketed sentence, the present paragraph about risk assessment has 213 words - slightly more than the approximate amount expected in the RDP.) The consideration of research ethics and the risks associated with a project are all part of the planning of a well-managed project. These sections of the RDP just enable the applicant to make the careful thinking explicit. References Fleming, S. (2013) Social research in sport (and beyond) – Notes on exceptions to informed consent. Research Ethics 9 (1): 32-43. Homan, R. (1991) The Ethics of Social Research. London: Longman. McFee, G. (2010) Ethics, knowledge and truth in sports research: An epistemology of sport. London: Routledge.
LSC Researchers Quarterly | 2(1) | April 2014
The Role of Legislation in Establishing Financial Structure; Implementation of Islamic Banking System in Pakistan JavedSikander Cardiff Met jssial@yahoo.com 07882088046
Congratulations to Javed, whose paper was accepted for a conference on Islamic finance. Well done, Javaed!! (editor)
ABSTRACT This research paper is all about to develop an understanding of the role of legislation in establishing the financial structure and the resultant banking system in Pakistan in the context of SBP circular 13 of 1984. The researcher will investigate the role of legislation in the institutionalization of the financial structure with in the context of the SBP circular 13 of 1984. The researcher will then evaluate the resultant outcome through a comparative analysis of similarities, flaws and contradictions
of these legislations with the Sharī„ah in accordance with Islamic jurisprudence. The researcher will equally point out the pros and cons of the legislation in establishing the financial structure, with special reference to the SBP circular 13 of 1984, from the perspectives of Sharī„ah enhancing the readers‟ perception in this context and giving an in depth understanding of coherence of the resultant banking system or otherwise.
Adebayo Fasheyitan Congratulations to Adebayo!! Well done!! The LSC Research Centre is happy to support Adebayo as he goes through the selection process by writing a supporting letter. (editor)
Adebayo has been shortlisted for the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) scholarship oral interview at Abuja in Nigeria on 29 April 2014 based on his PhD proposal.
Ethical approval You can apply to collect your research data whenever you are ready. You do not need to have your RDP approved. Complete and submit the ethical approval form.
LSC Researchers Quarterly | 2(1) | April 2014
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Vol. 2, Issue 1 | April 2014
Researchers Quarterly
Research Centre
LSC Research Centre Pocock House Campus 235 Southwark Bridge Road London SE1 6NP