PREPARING FOR CONFIRMATION OF CANDIDATURE 2014
PREPARING FOR CONFIRMATION OF CANDIDATURE 2014 School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B OUTLINE Confirmation of candidature process: Why you need to undergo a confirmation of candidature Structure of the confirmation and composition of the panel Preparing the written report Preparing the oral presentation Panel discussions Possible outcomes Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B WHY UNDERGO CONFIRMATION OF CANDIDATURE? There is an expectation by the University that the School and Faculty monitors the progress of candidature. Masters by Research: by 6 months of full-time study, or 18 months of part-time study PhD: by 12 months of full-time study, or 18 months of part-time study Confirmations scheduled at approximately 1-3 months BEFORE so that the process can be completed ‘on time’. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B WHY UNDERGO CONFIRMATION OF CANDIDATURE? For assurance that the proposed research is sound and represents a substantial original contribution to knowledge Opportunity for feedback to help strengthen the study design or identify potential opportunities To identify any potential difficulties early To encourage early progress in writing To show that progress is reasonable and that the PhD can be completed on time To develop presentation skills Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B STRUCTURE OF THE CONFIRMATION There are three components to confirmation: 1. A written document summarising your research plan 2. Oral presentation 3. Discussion with the confirmation panel In addition: Research Integrity training must be completed prior to the confirmation Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B PREPARING THE WRITTEN REPORT Length Formatting requirements 5,000 – 10,000 words for Masters 10,000 – 15,000 words for PhD Main text should be size 12 font, Times New Roman Use 1.5 line spacing Minimum 2cm margins Due 2 weeks before the oral presentation, 4 hard copies and an electronic copy (pdf) should be submitted to Joan Dooley ([email protected]) Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B STRUCTURE OF THE WRITTEN REPORT 1) Title page (include student’s name, thesis title, degree, part-time/full-time status, names of all supervisors) 2) Table of contents 3) List of abbreviations 4) Critical review of the literature 5) Research Plan 6) Ethics and intellectual property agreements 7) Compliance with Victorian & Commonwealth privacy law (human research only) 8) Progress and timelines 9) References 10) Appendices (optional) Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B WRITTEN REPORT: CRITICAL REVIEW OF LITERATURE – Most students will have completed a literature review in the first six months of candidature – Establishes the context for the research and a rationale for the overall aims of the thesis, drawing on international literature. – The candidate is expected to demonstrate an ability to effectively critique the existing literature and identify major gaps in knowledge to justify the thesis aims. – If abbreviation of the existing literature review is necessary, the emphasis in this section should be on critiquing the existing literature relevant to your thesis aims, rather than setting the scene Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B WRITTEN REPORT: RESEARCH PLAN Provide as much detail about your studies as possible. The panel will be looking to see that the study design(s) address the aims and that the research is sound and feasible. Justify your methodological decisions (eg. why particular measures have been chosen) – don’t forget to reference existing measures. Make it easy to identify the links between the rationale, research questions and methodology for each of your studies – ensure that your methods address your aims. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B WRITTEN REPORT: ETHICS/ INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & PRIVACY Ethics &/or Intellectual Property Statement on status of ethics approvals • Include details on location and storage of data Statement on any intellectual property agreements • Eg. data ownership, any restrictions on publication, etc) Privacy Law If your research involves human participants, include a statement on compliance with Victorian & Commonwealth privacy laws (includes management of identifiable information) Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B WRITTEN REPORT: PROGRESS & TIMELINES Outcomes/achievements to date Eg. ethics approval, conference presentations, article submissions, skills obtained. Skills to be attained Describe how you will obtain the skills needed to complete the thesis Timeline Start from the date your candidature commenced and include changes to or interruptions to your candidature (eg. changes from full-time to part-time) and work to be completed before submission. Be as detailed as possible. Resources Provide details of how your studies will be funded and other resources/facilities required to complete the project. Document any plans to access essential resources not available to you at Deakin University Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B PREPARING FOR THE PRESENTATION ~20 minute presentation, followed by questions from the audience Example structure 1 slide per minute (i.e. ~ 20 slides maximum) Background – review of evidence/rationale for your work (~6 slides) Aims/hypotheses (1 – 2 slides) and significance Methods (4-6 slides) Progress to date (including any findings if available) (4-6 slides) Timelines/future studies (1 – 2 slides) List any conference presentations, papers, etc. (1 slide) Attend other confirmation presentations to see examples Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B PREPARING FOR THE PRESENTATION You need to demonstrate you possess skills to complete a PhD By showing you know the literature and where your research fits By presenting a clear research plan that addresses your aims By completing a draft of thesis structure/outline By answering questions from the audience about your PhD Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B CONFIRMATION PANEL MEETING Panel composition: Associate Head of School – Research (or nominee) HDR Coordinator (or nominee) External examiner (not involved with the project) Supervisors The panel reviews the written report, attends the oral presentation and participates in the panel discussion Role of supervisors Supervisors MUST NOT respond to questions/issues raised by the panel on behalf of the student Supervisors will take notes during the meeting and will submit a report documenting the discussion Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B CONFIRMATION PANEL MEETING After the presentation, the candidate and panel members meet to discuss progress and any issues arising (30-45 mins) The external examiner is invited first to comment and ask questions of the student, then the HDR coordinator and A-HOS (Research) may also ask questions The student is then asked to leave the room while the panel finalises a recommendation Supervisor will submit a report documenting the discussion and any issues raised. This report is counter-signed by the Chair of the panel and provided to the Faculty. The report contains an overview of the advice, comments and recommendations of the Deakin Universityreview CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B panel POSSIBLE OUTCOMES 1. Candidature is confirmed • This can be ‘on the day’ or after changes are made to the document to the satisfaction of the panel 2. Candidate’s enrolment is maintained and extended for a maximum period of 3 months (FTE enrolment) at which time a re-review will occur 3. Candidature has not been completed satisfactorily Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B WHAT HAPPENS THEN? If recommendation 1 or 2, a written confirmation report is passed on to the student and Faculty (the Faculty is also given a copy of the confirmation document you submitted) If recommendation 2, the candidate is given clear guidelines detailing requirements to be completed and the format of the second review. The candidate is usually required to revise their written report and may need to meet with panel members again. The candidate is not required to do another presentation. The main focus is on the resolution of issues identified in initial confirmation attempt If recommendation 3, the panel will discuss the options available with the student (eg. transfer to Masters by Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B IMPORTANT • Students should discuss and prepare for confirmation in consultation with their supervisors • Try to view the confirmation process as an opportunity – Aids planning – clear articulation of PhD plans – Access to an ‘expert’ in your field (i.e., build your network) – Early identification of potential issues & possible solutions – Reassurance regarding study design/plans – Additional and relevant ideas/opportunities/ viewpoints may arise that can be used to strengthen your research/thesis Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B FURTHER INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/research-degreesdoctoral-and-masters/what-is-confirmation Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B
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