Thesis Examination

April 2011

Graduate Research School

Seminar OutlineWe will cover:

Steps leading to submission

Conflict of interest in relation to examiners

Criteria for examination

Post submission

Classification of theses

Submission of final version of theses

Theses as a series of papers

Completion Seminar

Organised in the school or faculty and delivered 3-6 months prior to the intended date of thesis submission

Provides an opportunity for the candidate to articulate and defend the argument made in the dissertation and the evidence upon which their claims are based.

Provides an opportunity for the candidate to receive constructive criticism in a spirit of positive intellectual enquiry

Nomination of Examiners Form

Submit minimum 3 weeks prior to intended submission date

Include a copy of thesis abstract

Nomination of examiners needs final approval from the Dean of the

Graduate Research School

School representative to contact nominated examiners to secure

their agreement to examine the thesis (3 for PhD, 2 for Masters)

Conflicts of Interest in Examination

University policy on conflict of interest and independence of examiners

What constitutes a conflict of interest?

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Conflicts of Interest in HDR Examination

The use of independent thesis examiners is an important defining feature of Australian HDR programs.

Independence of examiners is one indicator of the quality of the examination process and of the course as a whole.

High degree of convergence among the Go8 Universities.

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UWA Policy

Purpose of the policy:

“At The University of Western Australia, examination of theses prepared for Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) is wholly external. The process for examination and classification of theses assumes that examiners undertake the task independently, without bias. Professional and personal relationships between examiners and a student and their supervisor/s, and relationships between examiners and the University, have the potential to introduce bias and thus reduce the independence of the examination, in fact or perception.”

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UWA Policy“Examination of Higher Degree by Research theses must occur free of bias.

Bias might be introduced to the examination process via a range of prior or current personal, professional or legal relationships between the examiner and the student, the supervisor/s or other examiners. In addition, bias can occur when an examiner has a prior or current relationship with the University or an interest of more than an academic nature in the outcomes of the research.

Where there is a likelihood that bias might occur or be seen to occur in the context of the examination of an HDR thesis, a potential for actual or perceived conflict of interest must be declared to the body responsible for the thesis examination ….”

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“A conflict of interest may be with the institution, the advisor or the candidate. …

The aim of the CoI guidelines is to protect the candidate, examiner and the university against potential negative perceptions during the thesis examination process. It is not a presumption that an individual will behave inappropriately.”

Working relationship

Personal relationship Legal Business/Professional/Social

relationship

A. Candidate

B. Supervisor

C. University

D. Other Examiners

E. Subject matter e.g. direct commercial interest in the research outcomes

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Examples of conflicts

examples of conflicts

Working relationship

Personal relationship Legal Business/Professional/Social

relationship

A. Candidate occasional

B. Supervisor common

C. University occasional

D. Other Examiners occasional

E. Subject matter e.g. direct commercial interest in the research outcomes

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Common issues arising in approving nomination of examiners

Thesis Format

Temporary binding (4 copies for PhD, 3 for Masters)

Specifications (margins, line-spacing, single or double sided)

See http://wwwpostgraduate.uwa.edu.au/students/thesis/stylefor details. Follow disciplinary conventions for thesis format.

Thesis Submission Form

Must accompany thesis upon submission

Includes thesis declaration

Post Submission

Enrolment status

Issues for international students

Criteria for Thesis Evaluation

The thesis must provide a substantial and original contribution to

knowledge

The student should demonstrate familiarity and understanding of the

relevant literature

The thesis must provide a comprehensive study of the topic

The techniques adopted must be appropriate and properly applied

The results should be suitably set out and accompanied by adequate

exposition

The quality of the written work must be at a standard acceptable for

publication

Thesis Classification

1.without corrections or amendments

Pass 2.subject to minor revisions

3.subject to substantive revisions

Resubmit

Award the degree of Master

Failed

Revision of thesis after initial classification

Time allowed

Writing a report of thesis revisions http://wwwpostgraduate.uwa.edu.au/students/thesis/examinations/re visions

Submission of final version of thesis after classification

Australian Digital Thesis Program/Trove

Permanent Binding (specifications at http://wwwpostgraduate.uwa.edu.au/students/thesis/style/permanent- binding

Certification of Final Version of Thesis form

Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) requires 100 word abstract

Thesis as a series of papers

What form can these take?

Advantages

Disadvantages

Common criticisms