<Originally posted in 'Indep. studies (research) Master's via DL?' but should probably be a separate thread> Hi All, Need your advice: Currently I am preparing my application materials for a couple universities offering combined Masters/Doctorate research degrees (via DL with short but regular on-site seminars) and have written my Personal Statement of more than 1000 words. In the statement, I describe how I became interested in the topic of my studies and reveal the unique (interdisciplinary) concept I have been working on for over a year. How protected, if at all, is any information I provide in an academic application documentation? A copyright would be useless because it is an IDEA (a new perspective or business concept) that could be described in different ways without infringing on copyright. It would not merit a patent because it does not involve a new process or method, as such. How can I can best protect my IDEA and still give the Personal Statement enough substance to lead to my acceptance into the Masters/Doctorate program? Many thanks,
Are you worried that someone will take your idea about what to study? First of all, there isn't much out there that hasn't already been done or tried, even in interdisciplinary studies. Second, the statement of purpose doesn't have to be that precise, and they don't expect it to be. (Mine was less than a page). You just have to write enough that will make them interested in taking you as a student. What you can do however, when it comes to writing your dissertation, is to copyright that and to restrict it's publication. Any patents I believe, usually become property of the university.
The following is my opinion based on discussions with others and my own search for a program. 1. Do not mention that you have been working on it for over a year. Many (not all but way over 50%) of the universities require that the work done be new (e.g. done after enrollment). 2. The master’s portion is the work done on what already exists. You should develop your PhD topic after you do your masters work, or at the least during it. 3. Your statement should be general in nature. Discuss the area that you are interested in not the specific topic.
I should have explained: The idea (or new 'slant' on existing ideas) came first. Then I searched out research degree programs that would allow me to customize my studies and, at the same time, give my project some structure, accountability, access to peer review and a credential. By design, research at the doctorate level is intended to add to the knowledge base in the chosen field by conducting primary research. I would expect that a research student would only want to pursue this rigorous endeavor if he/she had unique ideas or interest. I see a fine line between saying enough to capture interest and giving away an idea, albeit a rather simple one, that one day could lead to new processes and industrial standards. I would not want someone to capitalize on the idea before I have had a chance to develop it further. My concerns go beyond the application stage: Does intellectual property presented in papers submitted to the university or within the framework of the program of study become the property of the university? If so, when and on what basis, and how can this be avoided?
--> Important considerations - thanks! I am applying for work-based study programs in the Europe, so I think the university expects that some work has already been done. But I need to confirm this. I have just done an initial assessment of the current research and plotted my direction. --> The program is a Masters/Doctorate combination. --> Good advice. I need to remember this for the application-related telephone interviews as well. However, eventually my ideas will become known (which, of course, is one of the purposes). What intellectual property rights does a student have? If these are forfeited by entering a program of study, I will think twice about enrolling. Any good literature on this issue?
In every university I've attended or worked at, the student has had zero intellectual property rights. When you register you sign away any rights to your IP. Check the web sites of the universities you are contemplating very carefully. Angela
It seems that in most cases the student retains the rights unless the University decides otherwise (!?). The following are examples I've found on university web sites: In the majority of cases, the University will not wish to retain the Intellectual Property Rights and will assign these rights back to the student concerned pursuant to paragraph 6 below. In addition much of the time the University will agree to publication by the student and generally each Head of School will routinely issue the necessary consents. Naturally if the University does decide to retain and exploit certain Intellectual Property Rights then the students(s) concerned will be entitled to a share of any profits... Read more here: http://www.glam.ac.uk/research/policies/studenthandbook/section9.php ...In general, any intellectual property created by a student is first owned by the student as the author of the work. There are, however, a few exceptions to this: some UK Research Councils specify that any intellectual property arising from studentships they fund is vested in the University... Read more here:http://www.lancs.ac.uk/users/studreg/departmental-office/ipr.htm
Ah, yes. The old "you own your IP unless the idea is any good or stands any chance of making money, in which case we own the IP" clause. One of my favourites, that one ;-) Angela
University dissertations are public once you finish your doctorate. They are available in the library for everyone to use or read. Some universities also ask you to publish your work in scientific journals. That is the point of a dissertation, to share and contribute to the public knowledge. Dissertations are not meant to be private secrete industry projects. If you want to keep your idea private, do not use it for a dissertation.
IP in WBL I was not referring to a standard doctoral dissertation. It would be interesting to find out whether what you state also applies to project deliverables from "Work-based Learning" programs leading to Professional Doctorates such as those offered by a few UK universities. These may, indeed, result from "private secrete industry projects," since the study program is based on the student's current employment position and, to a certain extent, in association with student's current employer. Therefore, in my opinion, intellectual property should be of great concern to a student who, being also an employee, may face IP and confidentiality conflicts.
Re: IP in WBL My Master's of Engineering degree was professional and we were required to submit a professional project report. In my case, my employer was concerned about it since the project was a commercial design for a prototype. In my case, the university did not publish the project (in the library) and one copy was kept only for administrative purposes. My supervisor told me to only give portions of the source code and circuit design so it wouldn't be possible to build the thing by looking at the report, this solved the issue of privacy. Report for projects for the most part are not considered "academic" so normally are not published in the library. As for professors stealing student's ideas, I have never head of this since professors are not in the business of making industrial designs or projects. However, there have been many problems of supervisors stealing student's research in order to publish without mentioning the student's name.
I wrote to one of the universities to which I am applying and received the following answer: Dear Russell, At --- University the student owns the intellectual property rights of the work. There is a section on this in the regulations handbook about which all students should be informed. The university reserves the right to display student work in the university library, however you can ask for this to be witheld for a set amount of time by making a request in writing to the programme leader. Dear ----, dear ----, > Currently, I am preparing my application for submission. > One issue, also of concern to me (and my employer), is > that of intellectual property (IP) and > confidentiality. At some universities, by signing up > for a course, a student forfeits his/her intellectual > property rights or shares these with the university. > Given the inherently industrial/professional nature of > work-based learning programs, how is IP handled at > --- University? Are project deliverables > published and become public domain? What about > possible patents resulting from research conducted > within the framework of the program? > > Best regards, > > Russell
Your original question was in regard to the application personal statement. Do not get too hung up on it. It's purpose is to give the school a general idea of your interests, why you feel you would be a good match for them, and it shows the committee you can string a few words together into a coherent set of thoughts. When I was working with job hunters, they felt their resumes had to have every little iota of information in it to "raise the probability" of being hired. The hard part was to convince people the resume's only job was to give enough information to obtain an interview. Also, in (non-scientific) tests we did with job seekers, we would hand out resumes and give each person 20 seconds to read them. Then, we would have them turn over the resume and write what they remembered. It was not much! So, let the statement do what it is indended to do- be one data point in many that helps the committee decide you are the one they should admit. Keep the statement somewhat general. You never know, your dissertation subject could very well change. Russ
