Research Degrees at LYIT
LYIT offers Research Masters and Doctoral Degrees in a partnership between the Schools of Business, Engineering, Science and Tourism and the Development Office.
LYIT currently has 20 registered Research Degree students in the disciplines of:
- Business
- Computing
- Science
Funding of Research Degree programmes is through:
- External research grant/bursary
- LYIT Seed Funding
- Industry funding
- Self funding.
Businesses and individuals with research ideas are encouraged to come forward with proposals for discussion with the Development Office. E-mail John Andy Bonar, Head of Development here.
LYIT Seed Funded Research Masters Programme
This programme involves the provision of advanced research training for highly skilled graduates leading to the award of a Masters Degree by Research. A central component of the Research Degree programme at LYIT involves the completion of LYIT's customised Level 9 Certificate in Research Practice. These projects are primarily undertaken in collaboration with industry partners. A Research Masters Degree is typically of two years (full-time) or three years (part-time) duration.
Research Degree Programmes at LYIT, 2018/2019
| Research Project |
Description of Research Project |
Application Deadline |
Relevant Head of School |
Lead Project Supervisor |
| School of Business |
| From posting to purchase - the Impact of Social Media Networks on intentions to purchase and WOM behavious in the Tourism & Hospitality Industry |
Literature has highlighted the fundamental impact of social media on both industry and practice (Ngai et al., 2015). Despite their pervasiveness, social media technologies remain in their infancy, highly unpredictable, (Leitch and Merlot, 2018) and new to academia (Ngai et al., 2015). An extensive call for research has emerged in the area of social media in the tourism and hospitality industry (see for example, Ge and Gretzel, 2018; Harrigan et al., 2017; Hudson et al., 2015; Kandampully et al., 2015). This research will test a framework investigating the impact of social media networks on consumer’s intention to purchase and WOM behaviours in the tourism and hospitality industry. In doing so, this research will provide critical insight into capitalizing upon social media as a means of marketing to customers. Given the significant impact of social media on the tourism and hospitality industry (Hur et al., 2017) and the central role of social media in the creation of the customer experience in tourism and hospitality (Sigala, 2016), this research is essential.
Please click here for more information. |
24 August 2018 |
Michael Margey |
Dr Sarah Diffley |
| RESTART: The perceptions & experiences of second time entrepreneurs |
This research presents a rare opportunity to provide an understanding on the perceptions and experiences of second chance entrepreneurs. The dynamic capability approach to entrepreneurship will form a back drop to the study. It will focus on second chance entrepreneurs in Ireland, but there is the potential to extend to other countries in Europe. The study will confirm why entrepreneurs decide to form a new business after succumbing to business failure and identify the main challenges in setting up a business second time around. The study will also propose recommendations at government/policy level to be made on how the support structure for second chance entrepreneurs can be optimised.
Main Research Questions:
1. Why do entrepreneurs decide to form a new business after succumbing to business failure?
2. What are the main challenges in setting up a business second time around.
3. What can be done at government/policy level to make it easier to restart.
Please click here for more information. |
24 August 2018 |
Michael Margey |
Dr Padraig Gallagher |
| Examining the influence of Operational Intellectual Capital on Operational Performance and Innovation Capabilities: An Irish perspective |
The aim of this research, is to explore the implications of operational intellectual capital (OIC) for operations and puts forward the following research question and objectives:
How can organizations leverage their OIC, in order to increase their operational performance and innovation capabilities?
The research objectives:
1. To develop a framework for conceptualising the operational intellectual capital dimensions (human capital, structural capital and social capital), operational performance and innovation capabilities.
2. To evaluate the impact of OIC dimensions on the operational performance and innovation capabilities;
3. To propose best practice principles for enhancing OIC and mechanisms to improve the operational performance and innovation capabilities.
Please click here for more information. |
24 August 2018 |
Michael Margey |
Dr George Onofrei |
| Designing Support Systems for Creative Industry Entrepreneurs |
The aim of this research is to develop, using mixed methods, best practice principles for the design of support structures for entrepreneurs from the Creative Industries.
The six main research questions are:
1. What strategies are in place for the development of start-up companies in the Creative Industries in Ireland?
2. What are the common characteristics and needs of entrepreneurs from the Creative Industries?
3. What are the experiences of entrepreneurs of business support and/or incubation?
4. What are the gaps in business supports and what unmet needs exist among entrepreneurs in the Creative Industries?
5. How can these experiences help support agencies to develop best practice?
6. How can best practices for supporting entrepreneurs be enhanced in order to achieve higher success rates?
Please click here for more information. |
24 August 2018 |
Michael Margey |
Dr Tena Patten |
| School of Science |
| Using Secure Fragile Watermarks to Detect Tampering in Digital Images |
The objective of this project is to research, select and evaluate suitable and compatible stego and fragile watermarking methods to be used to create a framework to detect tampering in a range of medical images. The robustness and usability of the framework will also be assessed. |
17 August 2018 |
Dr Gertie Taggart |
Dr Mark Leeney/Ms Karen Bailey |
| Application of wearable sensors to detect tremor in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease |
A means to characterise the abnormal movements in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is to use wearable technology systems. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a wearable multi-sensor kinematic system capable of detecting the tell-tale signs of PD when performing tailored exercise routines. |
17 August 2018 |
Dr. Gertie TaggartDr Gertie TaggartDr. Gertie Taggart |
Dr. James Connolly |
Application Process
To apply for a Research Masters or a PhD programme please download the following application form: Admission to Research Masters Degree Register
Applications should be completed and submitted to the relevant Head of School. In the instance of the School of Business please submit applications to SchoolofBusiness.Admin@lyit.ie.
Please return the completed application form to the relevant Head of School:
| School |
Head of School |
E-mail Address |
Telephone Number |
| Business |
Michael Margey |
michael.margey@lyit.ie |
074 918 6201 |
| Engineering |
Denis McFadden |
denis.mcfadden@lyit.ie |
074 918 6402 |
| Science |
Dr Gertie Taggart |
gertie.taggart@lyit.ie |
074 918 6301 |
| Tourism |
Dr Seán Duffy |
sean.duffy@lyit.ie |
074 918 6602 |
Academic Partnership PhD Opportunities
LYIT is currently a partner on the Interreg Centre for Personalised Medicine (CPM) research project. The CPM project was established in April 2017 following an award of €8.6 million from the EU’s INTERREG VA Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (www.SEUPB.eu). This project brings together a total of 14 partners (including LYIT) from academia, health services and industry to create the environment needed for personalised medicine: a research-based medical approach to guide clinical decisions to ensure a patient receives the right treatment at the right time.
| Project Title |
Detail on Project |
Application Deadline |
Relevant Contact |
| Redesigning Care Pathways for Diabetes |
Click here for more detail |
28 August 2018 |
Dr. Michael McCann |
| Cadmium and other Heavy Metals - Detection and Mitigation in Horticultural Produce, Soils and other Crops |
Click here for more detail |
28 August 2018 |
Dr. Denis McCrudden |