Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B PREPARING FOR CONFIRMATION OF CANDIDATURE March, 2013

Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B

PREPARING FOR CONFIRMATION OF CANDIDATURE

March, 2013


Outline Confirmation of candidature process:

Why you need to undergo a confirmation of candidature

Structure of the confirmation and composition of the panel

Preparing the written report

Preparing the oral presentation

Panel discussions

Possible outcomes


Why undergo a confirmation of candidature? There is an expectation by the

University that the School and Faculty monitors the progress of candidature. Masters by Research: by 6 months of

full-time study, or 18 months of part-time study

PhD: by 12 months of full-time study, or 18 months of part-time study

Confirmations will be scheduled at approximately 9 months so that the process can be completed within the deadline


Why undergo a confirmation of candidature? You are required to submit a plan for the

structure of your research program to:

Demonstrate you have the ability to complete the

award

Show that progress is reasonable and that the PhD

can be completed on time

Research Integrity training must be completed prior to the confirmation


Structure of the Confirmation

There are three components to confirmation:

1. A written document summarising your

research plan

2. Oral presentation

3. Discussion with the confirmation panel


Preparing the Written Report Length

5,000 – 7,000 words for Masters 6,000 – 10,000 words for PhD

Formatting requirements Main text should be size 12 font, Times New Roman Use 1.5 line spacing Printed singled-sided Minimum 2cm margins

Due 2 weeks before the oral presentation, 4 hard copies and an electronic copy (pdf) should be submitted to Amanda Williams-Constantinou ([email protected])


Structure of the Written Report

The written report should include the following sections:1) Title page (include student’s name, thesis title, degree,

part-time/full-time status, names of all supervisors)2) Table of contents3) List of abbreviations4) Critical review of the literature (3000-5000 words)5) Research Plan (≤3000 words)6) Progress and timelines (1000 words)7) References8) Appendices (optional)

Note: the word limits listed above are for PhD confirmations


Written Report - Critical Review of Literature

The critical review of the literature is usually an abbreviated version of the literature review you will have already written in the first 6-9 months of candidature.

Here the candidate must establish the context for their research and a rationale for the overall aims of the thesis, drawing on international literature.

The candidate is expected to demonstrate an ability to effectively critique the existing literature and identify major gaps in knowledge to justify the thesis aims.

If abbreviation of your existing literature review is necessary, the emphasis in this section should be on critiquing the existing literature relevant to your thesis aims, rather than setting the scene.


Written Report – Research Plan Aims of thesis

Overview of planned studies (1/2 page)

Significance Include significance to the research field and to society/industry, and a statement

on the originality of the work

Detailed description of each study Rationale

Critique of specific literature to justify the study aims and approach

Aims

MethodologyShould be as detailed as possible. Model this section on the Methods section of a journal article for your discipline. Ensure you include details regarding recruitment, procedures, measures and data collection tools, data analysis plan and sample size justifications (including power calculations).

Planned publications, including target journals and impact factors


Written Report – Progress and Timelines

Progress and timelines

Outcomes/achievements to dateE.g. ethics approval, conference presentations, article submissions, skills obtained.

Skills to be attainedDescribe how you will obtain the skills needed to complete the thesis

Timeline Start from the date your candidature commenced and include changes to or interruptions to your candidature (e.g. changes from full-time to part-time) and work to be completed before submission. Be as detailed as possible.

ResourcesProvide details of how your studies will be funded. Document any plans to access essential resources not available to you at Deakin University


Written Report – Important Considerations The required format of the document differs slightly from those of

submitted in previous years

Try to provide as much detail about your studies as possible. The balance between the literature review section and the Research Plan and Progress and Timelines sections should be approximately equal

Try to include justifications for methodological decisions (e.g. why

particular measures have been chosen) – don’t forget to reference existing measures.

Try to make it easy to identify the links between the rationale, research questions and methodology for each of your studies – ensure that your methods address your aims.


Preparing for the Confirmation Presentation ~15-20 minute presentation, followed by questions from

the audience

Example structure 1 slide per minute (i.e. ~ 20 slides maximum) Background – review of evidence/rationale (~6 slides) Aims/hypotheses (1 – 2 slides) and significance Methods (4-6 slides) Progress to date (including any findings if available) (4-6 slides) Timelines/future studies (1 – 2 slides) List any conference presentations, papers, etc. (1 slide)

Attend other confirmation presentations to see examples


Preparing for the Confirmation Presentation You need to demonstrate you possess skills to

complete a PhD By reporting on completed research and completing a

draft of thesis structure/outline

List all conference presentations and papers

By answering questions from the audience about your

PhD


Confirmation Panel meeting Panel composition:

Associate Head of School – Research (or nominee) HDR Coordinator (or nominee) External examiner (not involved with the project)

The panel reviews the written report, attends the oral presentation and participates in the panel discussion

Supervisors attend as observers Supervisors should not respond to questions/issues raised

by the panel on behalf of the student. Only the student can respond to these.


Confirmation Panel Meeting After the oral presentation, the candidate and panel members meet to

discuss any issues arising. This meeting will take 30-45 minutes.

The external examiner is invited first to comment and ask questions of the student , then the HDR coordinator and A-HOS (Research) may also ask questions.

Supervisors are observers only, however they are asked to record/note issues raised which are to be drafted into a written report which is provided to the Faculty and kept on record.

The written report will contain an overview of the advice, comments and recommendations of the review panel.

The student is then asked to leave the room while the panel finalises a recommendation on confirmation.


Possible Outcomes

1. Candidature is confirmed

2. Candidate’s enrolment is maintained and extended for a maximum period of 3 months (FTE enrolment) at which time a re-review will occur

3. Candidature has not been completed satisfactorily


What Happens Then?

If recommendation 1 or 2, a written confirmation report is passed on to the student and Faculty (the Faculty is also given a copy of the confirmation document you submitted).

If recommendation 2, the candidate is given clear guidelines by Supervisors detailing requirements to be completed and the format of the second review. The candidate is usually required to revise their written report and may need to meet with panel members again. The candidate is not required to do another presentation. The main focus is on the resolution of issues identified in initial confirmation attempt.

If recommendation 3, the panel will discuss the options available with the student (e.g. transfer to Masters by Research).

Documents

Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B PREPARING FOR CONFIRMATION OF CANDIDATURE March, 2013