Using the data….a cautionary note and other useful information

BEFRED contains research work submitted at a variety of levels. The degree to which the work can be relied upon is a combination of the experience of the researchers and the resources and time available to them.

HNC / HND

Major Projects that have been completed, as a part of a Higher National Certificate or Diploma, were included in the earlier version of BEFRED (see the History page).  However, since 2006 no more Major Projects have been uploaded.  HNC / D Major Projects are likely to be more practically based than theoretical, and will probably be the first piece of minor research work that somebody undertakes.  The research will have been completed within a short period of time, and should be treated as no more than an indicator of probable outcomes.

Further investigation by the user to establish whether the results can be validated by other pieces of work is strongly advisable.  It is highly unlikely that this work will have been peer reviewed (see below).

Bachelor

This work is completed as part of the requirements of an Honours Degree. It is probably the first research work undertaken by that person and has to be completed within a short period of time. Unless undertaken as part of a larger research project, the research must be treated as no more than an indicator of probable outcomes.

Since 2007 Establishments have been recommended to upload abstracts from dissertations that have achieved 60% or over, unless there are extenuating circumstances.  This guideline has been introduced to raise the standard and quality of the undergraduate research appearing on BEFRED.

Further investigation by the user to establish whether the results can be validated by other pieces of work is advisable.  It is highly unlikely that this work will have been peer reviewed (see below).

Master

Undertaken following the completion of a Bachelor degree, though in many cases after an interval of time. Research undertaken as part of a taught-masters programme will be more limited than where the Masters degree has been awarded solely as a result of research. The highest level of Masters degree is an MPhil awarded as a result of extensive research over a period of at least two years.

Further investigation by the user to establish whether the results can be validated by other pieces of work would confirm the robustness of the research.  It is possible that some of this work will have been peer reviewed, where it has been published in an academic journal (see below).

Doctorate

Awarded after a minimum period of three years of researching the subject. It is possible that some parts of the research will have been peer reviewed, where it has been published in an academic journal (see below).

Post doctoral

Research work carried out by professional researchers who have already completed a Doctorate. This work is normally reviewed by people with a detailed knowledge of the subject prior to it being accepted for publication. This process of reviewing the research is known as peer review (see below).

Independent research

Not necessarily carried out by those with a Doctorate, or other research qualification, but still subject to peer review before being published in professional Journals. However, not all independent research is published in academic Journals, so therefore may not be subject to peer review.

Commercial research

Not necessarily carried out by those with a Doctorate but still subject to peer review before being published in professional Journals. However, not all commercial research is published in academic Journals, so therefore may not be subject to peer review. This research is normally funded by commercial, and other, organisations who might have a vested interest in the results.

Journal Papers

A number of Abstracts from Journals are included on BEFRED. These Abstracts have been uploaded since 2008. The majority of these papers will have been peer reviewed. There may be a hyperlink in the publication link box directly to the Journal or paper.

Early data

From 2006 onwards, the full Abstract, as accompanied the research submission, is published. Prior to that date, due to size restrictions imposed by the early web pages, the script is only a summary of the Abstract.  Please also see the information above under HNC / HND.

Peer reviewed

The term “peer reviewed” refers to the process where research is critiqued (or reviewed) by others who are experts in the field (peers).  Work that is published in academic journals is usually subject to this process.  Work that is produced at Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral level will be peer reviewed only if it is published in an academic journal or other format that carries out this process (for example work that has been presented at certain academic conferences that operate a peer review process).

How to access a complete copy of the research

Institutions have varying policies on the storing and archiving of research.  Some will keep research in their Library for access by the general public, others will not.  Once a piece of research that is of interest has been identified, the user should go to the Contributing Organisations page to see how to gain access to it.

If the work has been published in a Journal, there might be a link from the Abstract page directly to the Journal.