probation assessnent - james bruce
TRANSCRIPT
Methods Conference 20th March 2012
Probation Assessment
Faculty of Science
Why do we conduct a probation
assessment?
• Monitoring progress
• Monitoring the project
• Is the student-supervisor team working?
• Address any issues
Time Table
Evidence
Deadline
Full Time (assuming Oct start)
Part Time
Probation ReportEnd month 9 (June)
End month 18
Mini-VivaEnd month 10 (July)
End month 20
Oral presentationEnd month 10 (July)
End month 20
STM895 Summary
Initial Skills AuditEnd month 3 (December)
End month 6
Development plan; progress file
End month 9 (June)
End month 18
The Probation Report
• What's the purpose?
• How long?
• What does it consist of?
The Research Question
• What?
• Why?
• What contribution will it make?
• What are the likely outcomes
Review the Existing Knowledge
• Literature review
• Sets your research work in context
• Accurate
• Comprehensive
• Demonstrate your understanding
Your Research Strategy
• Why are you taking the strategy?
• What other approaches are possible?
• Show you understand how the strategy fits
• What happens if...?
Work Plan
• What's the likely “road map”?
• Where are the “branch points”?
• Where will you take stock and review the project?
• Are there strategic staging points?
Activity 1
• Thinking ahead to the first year report
Oral Presentation
• The requirement is merely that to deliver an oral
presentation
• There is no assessment
• Where might you deliver an oral presentation?
The Mini-Viva• Panel of two academics,
• Rigorous...
• ...but not overly formal or daunting
• Intended to confirm that you and your project are on the
right track.
• It's good practice!
Activity 2
• Thinking ahead to the mini viva
Preparing for the Probationary
Assessment
• Don't leave it till the last possible minute
• Keep up with the literature – at all times
• Discuss your progress with your supervisory team, your
fellow students, your PG tutor
•Possible outcomes of probation assessment
•PhD confirmed
•PhD not confirmed yet, remedial action
•PhD not confirmed – Mphil
•Deregistration
What are the outcomes?
E-Portfolio
•Skills Audit
•Suggested evidence
•E-portfolio demonstration
Skills AuditSkill
Level/comment
I am able to design and implement
new experimental work independently
No - I have only 3 months epxrience
I can evaluate and interpret my
research results
Yes
I am able to include results from
colleagues’ research when planning
my research
No I don’t need to
I am able to consider PhD theses
linked to my field of research and
relate these to my research
No Not needed
I can use general instrumental
techniques (e.g. ir, uv, nmr,)
No – I need training on the nmr
I am able to distinguish ‘data’ from
‘results’ and ‘evaluation of results’
Yes
I am able to assess my progress
regularly
Yes
Suggested evidence• Skills Audit
• Literature review (if not covered in 1st year report)
• Gantt Charts for short term and long term plan
• Risk and COSHH assessments for office and/or laboratory environment
• 1st year report
• Record of 1st year viva
• 1st year presentation
• Seminar attendance record
• Record of Lab books
• Record of supervisor and/or group meetings
The e-portfolios
• MyStuff
• Mohara
• Google Docs
• Pebble Pad