progression points
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PhD EvaluationThe Progression Points
Dr Sonja Tomaskovic
Dr Raju Pathmeswaran
Developed by Dr Victoria Sheppard
What are Progression Points for?
• Evaluate Progress
• Quality Assurance
• Provide Structure and Support
Sisyphus from www.mythweb.com/encyc/zooms/sisyphus.gif
Today’s Session• Academic Criteria
• Timeline for PhD Process at Salford
• What does each progression point involve?
• Tips and student experience
Criteria
Doctoral students expected to demonstrate:
• Relevant research skills
• Understanding & knowledge
• Effective project design and management
• Originality
Research Skills
“a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry;”
Framework for Higher Education Qualification (FHEQ) Descriptors
Understanding and Knowledge“a systematic acquisition and
understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice;”
FHEQ
Project Design and Management
“the general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems;”
FHEQ
Originality• “the creation and interpretation of new
knowledge, through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication.”
FHEQ
Timeline for Salford full time PhD
Year 1
Learning Agreement 3 month
Year 2
Year 3
Interim Assessment 12 – 15 months
Internal Evaluation – 12 months after IA
Annual Report
Annual Report
Annual Report
Self Evaluation Report
Self Evaluation Report
Self Evaluation Report
Write-up and assessment period
Part time modelLearning Agreement 6 months
Interim Assessment 20-26 months
Internal Evaluation 20 months after IA
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
+ 2 Write up and assessment
Annual Report
Annual Report
Annual Report
Annual Report
Annual Report
Self-Evaluation
Self-Evaluation
Self-Evaluation
Self-Evaluation
Self-Evaluation
Forms
All the paperwork relating to PhD progression can be found at:
www.pg.salford.ac.uk/page/general_forms
Image © Luxomedia http://www.flickr.com/photos/videolux/2389320345/
1. Learning Agreement• Agreement between research
student and supervisor
• Collaborative planning of the research project
• Outlines training and resource requirements
2. Annual Reports• Annual progress report: Supervisor• Self-evaluation report: Postgraduate
researcher• Compulsory progress checks• Completed at end of each registered year• Both forms available on PG website. • Should be returned to school support
office before registration
Why have annual reports?To give PGR and Supervisor opportunity to
comment on academic progressSupervisor:• Achievements in last 12 months• Likelihood of submitting in time• Training undertaken• Levels of contact• Satisfactory progress?Recommends continuation of candidature (or
otherwise) to Board of Faculty
PGR:• Learning agreement completed• Training undertaken and planned• Achievements• Progress• Difficulties• Supervisory support• Research environment• Submission of thesis
3. Interim Assessment• 12–15 months (20–26 for p/t)
• Ensuring PGR reached certain threshold of academic performance
• Evaluation of progress of project
• Completion of required training and identification of any future training
Requirements
4,000 word report
Details work done to date, training (in line with learning agreement), identifies plans for remainder of PhD
Oral Exam
Panel of supervisor (or co-supervisor), and 2 members of academic staff from school
Panel Evaluates:• Clarity of research focus • Completion of literature review • Brief review and discussion of the work already
undertaken • Presentation of the data/findings to date • General knowledge of particular field of
learning • Details of original contribution to knowledge
likely to emerge • Statement of intended further work
Image © benprks http://www.flickr.com/photos/rivet/2767279500/
IA OutcomesContinue with PhD
Repeat Interim Assessment (3 months)
OR
Terminate candidature
Transfer to different programme – MPhil, MRes, MSc by Research
Image © SLightlynorth http://www.flickr.com/photos/slightlynorth/677514537/
4. Internal Evaluation
• 12 months after Interim Assessment
• To ensure continuing academic progress
• Check on course to produce a thesis of acceptable quality on time
• Check participation in relevant training
IE requirementsSubstantive piece of workThe format is determined by the School, eg.
could be chapter of thesis or report on interim findings. c. 10,000- 15,000 words. Element of primary research framed within an overview
Oral ExaminationPanel of two research active members of
school but not the supervisor
Panel Evaluates:
• Original research/advanced scholarship • Acquisition/understanding of a substantial body
of knowledge • Creation and interpretation of new knowledge • Ability to make informed judgements on
complex issues • Ability to adjust research in light of unforeseen
problems • Personal responsibility/autonomous initiative
IE OutcomesContinue with PhD
Repeat Internal Evaluation (3 months)
OR Terminate candidatureTransfer to different programme – MPhil, MRes, MSc by Research
Arrangements • The student should be aware to when their
assessment is due.• A reminder should be sent either by the
supervisor or the research support staff.• If no reminder has been sent, then the
student must initiate this process through the supervisor.
• The supervisor will liaise with the research support staff to make the arrangements
Testimonials The presentation gave an overview ofmy report but concentrated on certain aspects of it
The assessors did not pick up on the things I thought they would […] Nobody
picked up on ontological or etymological issues.
We discussed in some detail a semantic definition of one of my central terms. We all realised that this will need some further work.
In the end, it was much more relaxed than I thought it would be. It was more aguidance than an examination.
Advice from researchers• Let the university know well in advance• During the assessment/evaluation don't
panic, they are just trying to find theboundaries of your knowledge at the time, not trip you up
• Prepare well• Make sure you present ideas clearly,
concisely and confidently • TAKE NOTES – some v helpful tips
And a few more…• Make use of the knowledge and
experience of others
• Practise explaining your work to others
• Get used to reflecting on your research, methods, and working practices
Please give us your FEEDBACK about this session:
For any further queries
www.survey.bris.ac.uk/salford/sport2010_11
PLEASE FILL IT IN – it will take only 5 minutes!
www.pg.salford.ac.uk