Introduction to PhD Code of Practice

Jo Ferrie Interim Director Graduate Training

September 2013

Overview

• Identify and highlight the main features of the governing code of practice for PhD research

Key Documents

• University Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Degrees

• http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/postgraduateresearch/pgrcodeofpractice/

Purpose and Structure of Guidelines

• Provide guidance and practical advice for students and supervisors

Main themes covered

Section 1: Introduction

Section 2: Admissions

Section 3: Registration

Section 4: Student Records Management

Section 5: Supervision

Section 6: Training and Development

Section 7: Research Progress

Section 8: Submission and Final Examination

Section 9: Publications Arising from Research

Section 10: Feedback and Review of Experience

Section 11: Roles and Responsibilities at a Glance

Section 12: Sources of Further Information

The Management of Study

• From the outset of study• Subject level responsibilities:

- 2 supervisors- provision of necessary facilities- department/subject level PGR convenor - management of annual progress reviews

• Supervisor responsibilities- close contact in year 1 and clear framework for meetings- well defined research topic- continuous supervision- clear work programme

Supervisors should:

• Guide on the nature and parameters of the research topic

• Define the topic appropriate to the given timetable and resources available

• Clarify the standard of work required for the given degree attempted

• Clarify, if appropriate, additional skills required e.g. language etc.

• Mutually agree timetable for supervision meetings• Advise on the construction of a personal development

plan• Ensure student familiarity with University regulations

and, under disciplinary headings, what constitutes unreasonable behaviour

Graduate students should:

• Discuss with their supervisors the type of guidance and comment they find helpful

• Keep on the agreed schedule of meetings and other deadlines

• Take the initiative in raising problems or difficulties

• Secure ethical approval for research involving human participants, human data or material

• Devise a personal development plan

Continuing Supervision and Research

• Once research is underway supervisors and students have continuing responsibilities through regular contact to maintain research momentum.

• Again, this can be divided into

1. Supervisor responsibilities

2. Student responsibilities

Supervisor Responsibilities

• Maintain regular and frequent contact with the student (monthly)

• Arrange student participation in relevant research activities within the home department and in the broader (relevant) research community

• Request written work on a regular basis and to return it with constructive comment

• To advise on alternative supervision if required due to extended leave of absence etc

• To advise on publishing of student output

Student Responsibilities

• Maintain regular contact with the supervisory team• Maintain the progress of the work in agreement with

the plan established with the supervisory team• To carry out research skills and other subject specific

training as required by supervisors• Back up regularly and securely all computer held

work• Maintain and update their PDP• Be familiar with all relevant University regulations and

policies• Agree all periods of leave with supervisors

Reasons to Contact Grad School for Social Sciences

• Issues that need College-level approval– Change of supervisor or appointment of additional

supervisor– Change of research topic– Request for research furth of Glasgow– Requests for suspension of study and extension

of writing up periods beyond a year (nb max 2 years of writing up in total)

– Requests for reductions in the required period of study

– Request to appoint examiners

Monitoring of Student Progress

• Record should be kept by both supervisors and students relating to work completed, formal meetings etc

• Subject area practice may involve presentations and research proposals

• Subject area sub-committees to monitor progress and to try to identify and help rectify unsatisfactory progress. Possible outcomes.

• Faculty annual monitoring of student progress (May-June) and 6 monthly for ESRC/council

Resolving Difficulties & Student Representation

• Cannot always be resolved by the two parties

• Department/subject level PGR convenor• School PGR Director• Head of Subject Area• Dean of Graduate School • Establishment of subject level staff-student

liaison committees

Thesis Submission Process

• Priority issue for the University to ensure timely submission both for the student and for awarding bodies

• FT target is 70% submitting within 4 years and 85% in 5 years

• A PhD word limit should be in the order of 70-100,000 words

• Oral exam process – one internal and one external plus convenor

• Recommendations post viva

Reading & Understanding the Code of Practice

• http://lbss.moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2019

• Graduate School/ Scholarships & General Information/

Reading & Understanding the Code of Practice

Reading & Understanding the Code of Practice

Reading & Understanding the Code of Practice

Scottish Graduate School http://www.socsciscotland.ac.uk/