Starting Out in Your Candidature

Starting Out

On commencement, HDR candidates should meet with:

The Research Programs Convenor Dr Margaret Kiley, to obtain information about enrolment, induction workshops, seminars and the role of supervisors and other staff, as well as to join the mailing list for graduate candidates.
The Acting Director of CEDAM Dr Gerlese akerlind, who is the Prescribed Authority for all CEDAM programs.Gerlese makes all final decisions related to Candidature and can also advise on budget matters.
The Student Administrator Lyn Stevens, for assistance with all student administration matters, including enrolment, resources, and CEDAM operations.

See the timelines of significant milestones for full-time PhD candidates [1] and MPhill candidates [2].

Forming a Panel – within 3 months

All students are required to have a panel of supervisors and/or advisers. There are critical factors involved in forming a panel of supervisors for each candidate. Different panel members can offer different perspectives and offer complementary expertise and support. Panels are of great value where students' interests are interdisciplinary or cross disciplinary; and provide a structure for cross department and cross university industry projects.

A panel consists of a Panel Chair (who is also a supervisor), with one or two other supervisors, and advisers. Supervisors vary from advisors in that their responsibilities include:

Providing additional expertise from within the University or outside
Providing wider contacts within the University or outside
Providing advice on the Research Proposal and Mid-Term Review presentations
At the request of the student, advising on matters relating to the program, including advice on any difficulties in the relationship between candidate and supervisors/advisers

Advisers might be willing to read draft chapters of the thesis, but this is not a formal responsibility.

Topic Selection – within 3–6 months

It is very important to decide upon a topic as soon as possible after the commencement of your course. Your application will have identified a broad area of research, but you will probably need to refine this into a specific topic in the first few months of your course. A number of strategies can be helpful in doing this:

Discussion with academic staff and fellow research students
Review the literature, including theses already submitted in the related areas
Attending research seminars

There is considerable room for modifying and refining your topic as your research proceeds, but it is important that your first year of research has a well-defined focus so that you can structure your research appropriately. In consultation with your supervisory panel and others you should also ensure that your topic is realistic and achievable. Issues to consider include:

Is there some existing material on the topic that will give you something to respond to? (It can be exciting working in a brand new area, but it can make it hard to give your thesis a focus if there is no existing material to engage with.)
Will the topic require prolonged historical/archival/documentary research? Is this realistic given your time constraints?
Will the topic require some expertise in another disciplinary area (eg. philosophy, psychology, history)? Is this realistic?
Does the topic raise legal or ethical issues that may be difficult to resolve?
Is the topic feasible given the level of funding that you expect to receive?
Will the topic involve working relations with other institutions or organisations? Is this practical?
Will you be able to cover the topic within the normal period of candidature?

You might find pages 9-14 in the following book helpful. Bolker, J. (1998) Writing your dissertation in fifteen minutes a day: A guide to starting revising and finishing your doctoral thesis. Henry Holt & Co. New York.

Ethics

Guidelines and information about responsible research practice in the ANU can be found at http://www.anu.edu.au/ro/index.php [3].

Thesis Proposal Review – at 9-12 months

HDR candidates are required to present their Thesis Proposal Review to their supervisory panel. This review process includes a detailed thesis proposal and annual plan for the next year. The seminar is presented in both written form (suggested minimum of 10 pages) and orally. The structure and length may be negotiated with the panel but generally asks the questions as outlined in the Thesis Proposal Guidelines [4]. The TPR forms [5] can also be accessed here.

Annual Plans & Annual Reports

Commencing students submit a detailed annual supervision and candidature plan within three months of the relevant census date (31 March/31 August). The Annual Plan should include details of proposed supervisor / candidate contact, project research funding, any required coursework, and specific milestones for research progress. This plan is matched with progress in the following Annual Report. The Plan is then endorsed by the supervisory panel and the candidate, and included in the student file.

In addition to the Annual Plan students are required to report annually on work completed towards their degree. A timeline of milestones for these reports and plans is found in the ANU Code of Practice - Supervision in Higher Degrees by Research [6].

Mid-Term Seminar – at 18–24 months

CEDAM expects all candidates to present a mid-term review of their Thesis Proposal which is attended by members of the supervisory panel. The candidate is required to present this seminar on their research to date. The determination of 'mid-term' is left to the discretion of the candidate and supervisory panel, but would normally be in the 18 – 24 month mark (for full-time students), after data has been collected and analysed. Once a general time and date have been decided on the Research Programs Convenor will schedule the seminar with the panel. As with the Thesis Proposal Review candidates often find it helpful to attend someone else's seminar prior to presenting their own, or to have a ‘practice run' of their presentation. See MTS guidelines [7]. The MTS forms [5] can also be accessed here.

Oral Presentation on material for a PhD - 3 months prior to submission of thesis

The material comprising the bulk of the work for the thesis will be the subject of an oral presentation by the candidate approximately three months prior to the intended date of submission. The presentation will be advertised within the University, and will be evaluated by the members of the candidate's supervisory panel. The panel should, where appropriate, be supplemented by other members of ANU academic staff at the discretion of the committee chair. At the conclusion of the oral presentation, the panel will provide a written report on whether the candidate has demonstrated

independent command of the material
the ability to communicate clearly and concisely the analysis of the material and findings
the ability to respond appropriately to constructive comment and criticism.

More information [8]

Submission of Thesis

The submission and examination of the thesis will be independent of the oral presentation and current arrangements and procedures relating to the submission and examination of the thesis can remain in place. The report of the panel from the oral presentation will not be provided to the examiners of thesis.

Supervisors will continue to be asked to sign a declaration that the student has reached a point in the candidature where it is appropriate to submit the thesis. In cases where there are dissenting recommendations from examiners the Head of Department and Dean may refer to the report from the oral presentation to assist them in their deliberations about the outcome of the examination. A sample of the examiner's report [9] is included here.

Australian Graduate Supplement

A supplement to the PhD Testamur will be introduced in 2009 across Australia, as a response to the Bologna recommendations. The oral presentation will be added to ANU students' supplement.

Finalising Your Dissertation

Completing candidates are asked to provide a copy of your final bound dissertation to each member of your supervisory panel, as well as a copy for the CEDAM library.