Research Group Handbook

Research Group Handbook

Why Your Research Group Needs a Handbook

Collaboration thrives on shared standards and expectations. A Research Group Handbook is a vital resource for any productive research group of any discipline. It sets the foundation for clarity, efficiency, and a positive group culture.

Key Benefits of a Handbook

Implementing a Research Group Handbook provides immediate and long-term value to your team. Here are just a few of the many benefits:

• It acts as a central, up-to-date repository for all essential information, dramatically reducing ambiguity and mistakes across the team.
• It helps quickly bring new members – from students to postdocs – up to speed. The handbook serves as a self-guided reference, giving them everything they need to know right from the start.
• It can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. The handbook outlines expectations for work ethic, communication styles, meeting protocols, and more.
• By documenting pre-approved procedures and answering frequently asked questions, the handbook handles repetitive administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on your research.
• By formally documenting your values such as collaboration and work-life balance, the handbook helps you actively cultivate a supportive and professional group environment.

Create your Handbook

This template is designed to guide you through the process of developing your own Research Group Handbook.

It was developed by UCD Graduate Studies, with invaluable input on structure and content, including a suggested table of contents and annotated bibliography, from (opens in a new window)Associate Professor Stefan Müller of the UCD School of Politics and International Relations.

Consider this your starting point. You have the flexibility to add, remove, modify, customise elements of the template to perfectly align the Handbook with your group’s specific requirements.