Services the Dean of Graduate Services the Dean of Graduate Studies Presents at UNEStudies Presents at UNE

Omdosheaa 5th Conference:Omdosheaa 5th Conference:Conflict Resolution in Universities Conflict Resolution in Universities

4 December 20064 December 2006

Professor Kay HarmanDean of Graduate StudiesUniversity of New England, AustraliaEmail: dogs@une.edu.au

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Presentation will discussPresentation will discuss

The DoGS role Select information shared with

newly enrolled HDR students• 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’ RoleThe DoGs’ Role

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 Important first steps

Attend induction programs & training modules for newly enrolled HDRs

Find out what Research Services offers & who is there to help (see handout)

Get to know your supervisor/s

Plan stages/milestones of your study up to submission

Develop strategies for managing time and stress

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Important first steps Important first steps cont…cont…

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

Get info on scholarships and other sources of funding available (ask RS, ADRs & HoS)

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 Relations with supervisor/s

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

Establish regular & suitable meeting and/or communication times & modes

Discuss how to address any problems that might arise during candidature

Don’t wait for problems to worsen before acting! Use support mechanisms available if necessary.

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‘‘Must know, must have’Must know, must have’

The ‘Gold Book’ - Quality Supervision…

Information on induction courses (pg portal, schools & faculties)

Faculty postgraduate guides/documents

Rules for the appropriate award, forms for extensions, suspensions, thesis submission (www.une.edu.au/research-services/phd/html)

Other useful websites, eg. the Academic Skills Office (www.une.edu.au/aso)

Support available for HDRs (p.69 in Gold Book as well as IT and library support)

What the Dixson Library offers (e.g. free inter-library loans for postgraduates)

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‘‘Must know, must have’ Must know, must have’ cont…cont…

Ethics clearance where appropriate

Correct procedures for insurance & travel arrangements when going on fieldwork (need A8 form – school will help here)

Progress reports (soon fully electronic submission) – take seriously

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)

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 involvesThe First Year Normally involves

Choosing a ‘do-able’ topic & refining this Liaising closely with supervisors Planning the study, preparing a detailed

research proposal (typically basis for Ch1) Getting to know & review literature (start

writing this up asap) Presenting a seminar based on the proposal Applying for ethics approval (if relevant) Settling into a regular work routine Finding out what examiners are looking for Confirmation of Candidature (new – see

www.une.edu.au/rmo/policies/polACAD.html)

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What examiners are looking forWhat examiners are looking for

UNE Information for PhD examiners:

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 What examiners are looking for cont…cont…

Are conclusions & implications developed appropriately & linked clearly with the nature & content of the research framework & findings?

Is the literary quality & general presentation of the thesis of a suitably high standard?

Does the thesis as a whole constitute a substantive original contribution to knowledge in the subject area with which it deals?

University of Melbourne…

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Publishing during candidaturePublishing during candidature

Output is important, not just research activity Good idea to plan for publication while still a

student (supervisor may suggest joint publication)

Make contact with noted scholars in your field (you and/or supervisor) seeking critical feedback on written or other material produced

Attend & present at conferences, workshops, seminars & network effectively

Target highly regarded, high impact journals & publishers in your field & note their publishing requirements

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Publishing during candidature Publishing during candidature cont…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

2. Researchers’ professional responsibility is to disseminate knowledge and expertise

3. Get known & recognised in a broader network of scholars (including research students)

4. Contribute to the UNE research quantum, especially according to DEST criteria

5. Career advancement & promotion

6. Peer review by experts tests the real quality of our research

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Finally and importantly …Finally and importantly …

Best of wishes for a hassle-free, productive and stimulating

postgraduate journey!