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CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
MILESTONES MADE EASY FACULTY OF HEALTH
14 MARCH 2016
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Overview • The Research Supervisor • The Research Student • Milestones – Stage 2, Confirmation, Final Seminar, Examination • Milestone approval process and outcomes • Annual Progress Reports • Online Forms • Extensions • Making the most out of the milestones
Vincent van Gogh Produced 860 oil paintings and 1300 watercolours, sketches, drawings and prints in 10 years. Painted 37 self-portraits over a 3 year period.
• Gifted artist OR obsessive perfectionist? • Mentally ill OR suffered from Temporal Lobe
Epilepsy? • Relentless pursuit of artistic excellence led to
addiction OR smoked/drank excessively in an effort to “switch off” his brain?
• Painted many self-portraits because he was conceited OR because he was socially isolated with limited access to other subject matter?
• Unable to sell more than 2 paintings in his lifetime OR so insecure about his ability and public response to his work that he was not confident enough to put them up for sale and scrutiny?
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Supervisor roles and responsibilities
• Provide guidance on degree requirements • Ensure appropriate resources are available to conduct research • Regular (at least monthly) meetings with students • Assist with ‘scoping’ project and identifying literature, design & methods • Provide constructive feedback on written work (but won’t write thesis!)
• Complete paperwork for milestones and thesis examination process
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Supervisor role and responsibilities • Monitor student progress
– Identify delays and help resolve difficulties – Refer to support services (e.g. Counselling, Language Advisor)
• Identify opportunities to participate in research culture and professional
development – Seminars, conferences, publications, lecturing/tutoring, etc.
• Ensure compliance with QUT policies and government legislation • Maintain supervisor accreditation in line with QUT requirements • See also Code of Good Practice for Postgraduate Research Studies
and Supervision at QUT
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
‘Take it out’ – Revision and Feedback
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Student role and responsibilities • Comply with PhD Regulations and other policies and guidelines
– Scholarships, ethics, travel, etc. • Establish and maintain productive working relationships with supervisors
– Regular meetings, submission and review of written work
• Manage research to ensure timely completion of milestones and course requirements: – Extensive background literature work – Develop drafts for comment by supervisor – Write milestone and thesis documents – Consider and allow time for feedback and approvals – Learn how to use feedback to improve outcomes
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Student role and responsibilities
• Conduct research independently & within Code of Conduct for Research • Develop ideas and directions - take an active role in research process • Show initiative in identifying problems and seeking solutions • Use available resources and opportunities to progress your research
and develop your knowledge and skills • Participate in research culture of faculty, school and institute/s
– School Research Seminar Series and IHBI Postgraduate Conference
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Avoiding your supervisor?
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Why milestones? • Support students throughout candidature • Assist with setting and meeting goals and objectives • Ongoing quality assurance mechanisms • Identify knowledge gaps and potential difficulties and identify
solutions at an early stage (before the thesis is examined) • Gain constructive feedback and improve quality of research • Celebrate achievements and reflect on progress made so far • Assess what work remains to be done and how it can be achieved
within a reasonable timeframe • Responsible management of resources and funding • Ensure that there is life beyond the PhD!
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
What are the milestones?
Milestone Summary Stage 1 Application for admission
Stage 2 Preliminary research proposal
Confirmation Research proposal and seminar
Annual Progress Report Update on progress, timeline, delays, etc.
and opportunity to address any issues Final Seminar Final review of thesis document and seminar
before external examination Thesis Examination External assessment of your work against
degree requirements
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
PhD Milestones
Faculty Research Services Teams will send detailed information about each
milestone to students and supervisors one month before the due date
Milestone Due Date (F/T) Due Date (P/T) Stage 2
3 months 6 months
Confirmation
12 months 24 months
Final Seminar 3 months before thesis lodgement
3 months before thesis lodgement
Expected Completion Date (Thesis Lodgement)
3 years 6 years
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Masters by Research Milestones
Students who wish to articulate to PhD may undergo Confirmation of Candidature process (discuss with your supervisor in the first instance)
Milestone Due Date (F/T) Due Date (P/T) Stage 2
3-6 months 6-12 months
Final Seminar 3 months before thesis lodgement
3 months before thesis lodgement
Expected Completion Date (Thesis Lodgement)
18 months 3 years
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
PORTIA • View milestone due dates, upload research plan and timeline • Access via QUT Virtual or RSC Wiki > Key links • Login using Role (Student or Supervisor), QUT username & password
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
PORTIA • Funding information on homepage (not to be confused with milestone dates) • Milestone dates can be viewed under ‘Critical Dates’ section
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Health Research Student Zone
HDR Guidelines and Milestones • HDR Program Guidelines • Candidature Milestones
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
How to prepare for milestones
• Check when each milestone is due and schedule time to prepare milestone documents in your overall research plan
• Read guidelines for each milestone – RSC Website and Training Wiki resources – Health Research Student Zone
• Consult with your supervisors about what is expected in your discipline / research area
• Review examples of other students’ milestone reports • Allow sufficient time to receive feedback and revise drafts • Attend other confirmation and final seminars to see how other students
present their research and answer questions from the panel • Rehearse your confirmation and final seminar – ask your supervisors
and other students for feedback
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Milestone Reports
• Confirm student capacity to undertake research • Confirm research questions/design/methods are appropriate and
achievable within the available timeframe • Confirm funding/resources are available to complete project • Identify potential issues, delays and solutions • Timeline - what you have achieved and what remains to be done
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Approval Process • Approvals
– Supervisor/s – School Director of Research/Postgraduate Research Coordinator – Faculty Director (Research Training) – QUT Research Degrees Committee
• Outcomes
– Approved – satisfactory progress – Provisional approval – some changes required – Under review – more structured support provided with progress to
be reassessed at end of review period – Show Cause – unsatisfactory progress; student to make case
outlining reasons why QUT should continue to support candidature
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Unsatisfactory Progress
• Remedial plan: – Leave (to resolve health, finance, personal issues) – Under Review (to resolve research performance issues) – Provide additional support (e.g. Counselling, Language Advisor,
augment supervisory team, workshops) – Transfer to alternative award – Discontinue candidature
• Under Review / Show Cause process: – Under Review for up to 3 months (may be extended) – Show Cause why candidature should continue – Appeals Committee process
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Online forms • Some PhD milestone reports and all Annual Progress Reports are submitted
online via QUT Virtual; other forms are available on the RSC website
• Check your enrolment and supervisor details are correct
• Attach all relevant documents in one Word or PDF file – milestone report, reviewer comments, summary of revisions
• You can monitor approvals process and view comments online
• Online forms may be returned to you for further information
– Open email from [email protected] and click on QUT Virtual link to open online form
• Final outcome/approval will be sent via email
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Annual Progress Reports • Online report to be submitted via QUT Virtual by 31 May • Monitor progress and confirm appropriate support is
available to enable successful and timely completion:
– Supervisory arrangements – Progress made to date – Research plan and activities for the year ahead – Approvals obtained/yet to be obtained (e.g. ethics) – Professional development plan and activities – Identify any difficulties or delays (e.g. low recruitment, equipment
breakdown, personal issues) – Updated timeline
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Extensions
• Highlight any delays or difficulties in Annual Progress Report • Consider scholarship and visa implications • Prepare a realistic timeline outlining tasks to be completed • Scholarship extensions:
– Considered on case-by-case basis (not guaranteed) – Research related delays beyond your control – Provide reason/s and evidence to support your request – School/Faculty must provide support (and usually funding) – 3 month extension initially (maximum 6 months)
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Perfectionism, Procrastination & Motivation
• Milestones help to ensure your research is on track and provide valuable feedback to enhance your thesis, knowledge and skills
• Develop a research plan and timeline
– Know when your milestones are due – Allow sufficient time to revise documents and receive feedback
• Read course guidelines, resources on RSC Wiki and exemplar milestone reports • Academic writing takes practice
– Start writing early and often (every day!) • Keep drafts of your written work and save copies in accordance with data
management policy
CRICOS No. 00213J a university for the world real R
Perfectionism, Procrastination & Motivation
• Commit to submitting written work by agreed due date (even if it is not ‘perfect’) • Learn to share your work with others and seek feedback – supervisors, work-in-
progress seminars, writing circles • Attend other students’ confirmation/final seminars – pay attention to how other
students present their research and answer questions from the panel • Remember milestone reports are works in progress, not your final thesis
• Celebrate your achievements – including successful completion of milestones • Know when you have done enough – thesis is the beginning, not the end of
your research career!
What has Vincent van G got to do with me?
• Setting high standards is important, but it is equally important to keep perfectionism under control – a draft is a draft!
• When feeling stressed or under pressure, seek advice and support BEFORE you become overwhelmed, exhausted or depressed
• Maintain a healthy research/life balance: eat and drink healthily and take time out for regular recreation and rest to avoid burnout
• Remember you are not expected to have all the answers – your supervisors and support staff are there to help you tap into all available resources
• Seek regular feedback on your work and learn to thrive on constructive criticism – sharing your work with others is an important part of the research process and will ultimately enhance your research experience and outcomes.
