Vol. 2, Issue 1 | April 2014

ResearchersQuarterly

Research

Centre

LSC Researchers Quarterly | 2(1) | April 2014

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.

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.

2

Editor:

Dr Nandish Patel

(Research

Degrees

Programme

Leader)

Design:

Graça Gabriel

(Head Librarian)

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.

LSC Research

Centre

Pocock House

Campus

235 Southwark

Bridge Road

London SE1 6NP

Research

Centre

LSC is a division of St. Piran’s School (GB) Ltd.

Nandish Patel

LSC Researchers Quarterly | 2(1) | April 2014 3

Harvard Law School

Dr. Lu’ayy Al-RimawiI 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)

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-under-

sharia-and-comparative-aspects-of-prospectus-liability-for-fraudulent-andor-negligent-misstatements/

My Experience in Setting up Peer

Support Network at the LSC

Dr Lu’ayy Minwer Al-RimawiDirector of Studies,

LSC Research Fellow

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.

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.

“I am impressed with the

manner in which the LSC

values its research students.”

LSC Researchers Quarterly | 2(1) | April 20144

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 pre-

circulated 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

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.

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). Co-

Director, 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)

“…a very worthwhile

experience, with tangible

positive results…”

LSC Researchers Quarterly | 2(1) | April 2014 5

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)

„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.‟

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mostain Abi Gafur

“The outcomes of these

meetings are undoubtedly

beneficial for all of the

members of group.”

“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 20146

Preparing a Research Degree Proposal (RDP) - Ethical Approval and Risk Assessment

Professor Scott FlemingUniversity Director of Research and Graduate StudiesChair, Research Degrees CommitteeCardiff 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

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.

ReferencesFleming, 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 epistemologyof sport. London: Routledge.

“…researchers should treat

research participants as

though they were their

close friends…”

LSC Researchers Quarterly | 2(1) | April 2014 7

The Role of Legislation in

Establishing Financial Structure;

Implementation of Islamic Banking

System in Pakistan

JavedSikanderCardiff Met

jssial@yahoo.com

07882088046

Congratulations to Javed, whose paper was

accepted for a conference on Islamic finance.

Well done, Javaed!! (editor)

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.

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

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.

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)

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.

Ethical approval

Vol. 2, Issue 1 | April 2014

ResearchersQuarterly

Research

Centre

LSC Research Centre

Pocock House Campus

235 Southwark Bridge Road

London SE1 6NP