Transcript Slide 1

Services the Dean of Graduate
Studies Presents at UNE
Omdosheaa 5th Conference:
Conflict Resolution in Universities
4 December 2006
Professor Kay Harman
Dean of Graduate Studies
University of New England, Australia
Email: [email protected]
Presentation will discuss
 The DoGS role
 Select information shared with
newly enrolled HDR students
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Important first steps
Functions of Research Services
Relations with supervisor/s
‘Must know, must have’
The first year of candidature
What examiners are looking for
Publishing during candidature
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The DoGs’ Role
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Responsible for all activities involving higher
degree research (HDR) training at masters
honours & doctoral levels especially:
HDR policy development, training courses,
recruitment, suspensions & extensions,
scholarships, supervision register, thesis
examination & completions, progress reports,
chair HDR & scholarship committees, &
guidance to research students and
supervisors when required
Summary of role: partly guiding & supporting,
partly regulatory, advocacy for HDR support
(but not advocacy for grievances)
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Important first steps
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Attend induction programs & training
modules for newly enrolled HDRs
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Find out what Research Services offers &
who is there to help (see handout)
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Get to know your supervisor/s
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Plan stages/milestones of your study up to
submission
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Develop strategies for managing time and
stress
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Important first steps cont…
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Become familiar with University
expectations, regulations & HDR policies
(e.g. new extension & CoC policies
http://www.une.edu.au/rmo/policies/polACAD.html),
progress monitoring, IP & copyright issues
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Get info on scholarships and other sources
of funding available (ask RS, ADRs & HoS)
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Find out when & who to contact if problems
arise (e.g. supervisor, HoS, DoGS, ASO,
counselling services). My office - Research
Services, upper floor Lamble building
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Relations with supervisor/s
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Don’t be shy but don’t hassle
Talk with supervisor/s early about scope
of project to fit timeline, joint
expectations, publishing, IP sharing
(where appropriate) & copyright issues
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Establish regular & suitable meeting
and/or communication times & modes
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Discuss how to address any problems
that might arise during candidature
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Don’t wait for problems to worsen before
acting! Use support mechanisms
available if necessary.
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‘Must know, must have’
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The ‘Gold Book’ - Quality Supervision…
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Information on induction courses (pg portal,
schools & faculties)
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Faculty postgraduate guides/documents
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Rules for the appropriate award, forms for
extensions, suspensions, thesis submission
(www.une.edu.au/research-services/phd/html)
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Other useful websites, eg. the Academic Skills
Office (www.une.edu.au/aso)
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Support available for HDRs (p.69 in Gold Book
as well as IT and library support)
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What the Dixson Library offers (e.g. free interlibrary loans for postgraduates)
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‘Must know, must have’ cont…
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Ethics clearance where appropriate
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Correct procedures for insurance & travel
arrangements when going on fieldwork (need A8
form – school will help here)
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Progress reports (soon fully electronic
submission) – take seriously
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Rules on ownership of intellectual property &
copyright & expectations about ownership
(student owns copyright if turning a thesis into
publication but need to be aware of
confidentiality restrictions on publishing)
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Proper scientific writing & citation practices –
see the Postgraduate Support, UNE Referencing
Guide on the web & ASO Fact Sheets
(www.une.edu.au/tlc/aso/referencing_style_guide.htm)
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The First Year Normally involves
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Choosing a ‘do-able’ topic & refining this
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Liaising closely with supervisors
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Planning the study, preparing a detailed
research proposal (typically basis for Ch1)
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Getting to know & review literature (start
writing this up asap)
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Presenting a seminar based on the proposal
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Applying for ethics approval (if relevant)
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Settling into a regular work routine
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Finding out what examiners are looking for
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Confirmation of Candidature (new – see
www.une.edu.au/rmo/policies/polACAD.html)
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What examiners are looking for
UNE Information for PhD examiners:
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Does the candidate show sufficient
familiarity with, and understanding of, the
relevant literature?
Does the thesis provide a sufficiently
comprehensive investigation of the topic?
Are the methods and techniques adopted
appropriate to the subject matter & are
they applied suitably?
Are the results set out clearly & logically &
accompanied by adequate exposition &
interpretation?
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What examiners are looking for cont…
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Are conclusions & implications developed
appropriately & linked clearly with the
nature & content of the research
framework & findings?
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Is the literary quality & general
presentation of the thesis of a suitably
high standard?
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Does the thesis as a whole constitute a
substantive original contribution to
knowledge in the subject area with which it
deals?
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University of Melbourne…
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Publishing during candidature
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Output is important, not just research activity
Good idea to plan for publication while still a
student (supervisor may suggest joint
publication)
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Make contact with noted scholars in your field
(you and/or supervisor) seeking critical
feedback on written or other material
produced
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Attend & present at conferences, workshops,
seminars & network effectively
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Target highly regarded, high impact journals &
publishers in your field & note their publishing
requirements
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Publishing during candidature cont…
Why publish? Reasons include:
1.
A must for an academic career – Australian
academics are required to spend 40% of their
work time on research and scholarship
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Researchers’ professional responsibility is to
disseminate knowledge and expertise
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Get known & recognised in a broader network of
scholars (including research students)
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Contribute to the UNE research quantum,
especially according to DEST criteria
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Career advancement & promotion
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Peer review by experts tests the real quality of our
research
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Finally and importantly …
Best of wishes for a hassle-free,
productive and stimulating
postgraduate journey!
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