Business and Economics
Coursework in the PhD degree
Ingrid Nielsen
The Monash PhD structure – “Brilliant Goes Beyond”
• The first iteration of the Monash PhD represented a shift from a 100%
research (thesis) model to a composite research (thesis) and research
training model, where training was broadly conceptualised to
encompass both coursework and more traditional training activities.
• The fundamental driver of the original shift and its subsequent
development has been a commitment to develop both the research
and the researcher.
• The degree subsumes discipline-based “Programs”, where the thesis
model and the research training composition are specific to the
discipline and reflect world’s best practice in the given discipline area.
• The starting point for Program development was hence a thorough
review of the international doctoral space, but with a particular
emphasis on current practice among our key competitors.
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The Monash PhD – degree components
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Research thesis (100,000 words)
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Empirical study/studies following scientific method
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Thesis by publication
Coursework options
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6000 level units (core and elective)
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Genuine 5000 level units with 6000 level assessment (core and elective)
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Enabling units
Training options
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Academic Practice
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Professional Skills
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Project Management
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Research Practice
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Responsible Research
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Specialist Training
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Technical Training
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Communicating and Disseminating Research
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Monash PhD structure – original arrangement
• The original arrangement was an integrated coursework and training
structure where each coursework credit point was deemed to be
equivalent to 8 hours of research skills training, with students across all
disciplines required to complete the equivalent of 192 hours.
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1x6cp unit + 144 skills training hours (including 9.5 mandatory skills training hours)
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2x6cp units + 96 skills training hours (including 9.5 mandatory skills training hours)
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3x6cp units + 48 skills training hours (including 9.5 mandatory skills training hours)
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4x6cp units (plus 9.5 mandatory skills training hours)
• ‘Bean counting’ approach led to:
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Development of (some) skills training activities that added little to no value to the PhD
experience
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Artificial inflation of training hours
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High administration costs of tracking student progress
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A surveillance culture
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Monash PhD structure – new arrangement
• The new Monash PhD is an umbrella under which candidates can
pursue one of either:
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Skills training (professional and academic development through University-led
“Skills Essentials” programs (minimum of two weeks equivalent) and Faculty-led
training (minimum of one week equivalent) throughout their candidature;
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coursework (according to existing regulations); or
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training activities through specially established and funded Graduate Research
Interdisciplinary Programs.
• Under this new arrangement, the Faculty of Business and Economics
and inter alia the Department of Management has adopted the
coursework approach
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Philosophy of Research
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Advanced Quantitative Methods or Advanced Qualitative Methods
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Research Integrity training (centrally mandated)
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Some further locally mandated (or not) training
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Monash PhD structure – new arrangement
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All on-shore students enrolling in the approved Management PhD Program
from 2014:
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complete all coursework units pre-confirmation, to a standard of no less than 70%;
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Complete the following Faculty-mandated training, pre-confirmation:
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online research integrity training
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induction activities
(It is likely that the University will in future also mandate OHS training to meet legislative
compliance requirements)
Coursework must comply with AQF requirements
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Research is the defining characteristic
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“Research in the program of learning will be for at least two years and typically two thirds
or more of the qualification…coursework may support but not replace the research
outcomes”
Learning outcomes at Level 10
Coursework must comply with Monash governance requirements
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Monash PhD structure – new arrangement
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Any additional training over and above the Faculty mandated training is at the
discretion of the Program Director in consultation with the supervisory team.
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This approach allows for the Department to tailor any additional training as
they see appropriate to individuals or cohorts.
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Candidates will not be formally enrolled in any training activities and as such
this will not appear on the academic transcript.
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Any training activities will be captured in an e-portfolio, allowing candidates to
record activities and to print a statement to provide to milestones panels or
prospective employers.
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Developing a coursework PhD – key considerations
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Who are your key competitors?
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How do you want to differentiate yourself?
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What do you want your graduates to be trained in:
research/management/both?
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Staff capability and capacity
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Timetabling (against start dates, scholarship start dates, census dates, delivery
mode, progression vis a vis confirmation etc)
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