Higher Degrees by Research
Proforma for Faculty Assessment of
Research Proposal and Oral Defence
Student Number
Course:
Surname:
Given Name:
HDR-16 Last updated July 2012
For completion of HDR Confirmation of Candidature requirements.
This form should be read in conjunction with the HDR Confirmation of
Candidature Procedures.
Faculty / School
Thesis Title
Oral Defence Date:
(DDMMYYYY)
In making its assessment the Faculty HDR Panel shall take into account the following:
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Ability to express ideas clearly and logically, both orally and in writing.
Knowledge of the field and of current theories, as presented in both the Research Proposal and the Oral Defence.
Critical and original insights into the field.
Capacity of the candidate for independent work.
Ability to clearly state the aims and rationale for the project, project design and how the project as a whole contributes
to the field.
Choice of a suitable research method or methods, including awareness of ethical issues.
Proposed method of analysis of the data and awareness of its strengths and weaknesses.
Ability to respond to questions.
Ability of the candidate to successfully complete the degree in which they are enrolled.
Confirmation of
Candidature
Recommendation:
1.
 Approved
 Approved with
minor
modifications
 Re-assessment
required
 Rejected
HDR Panel Assessment of the Research Proposal: (Appropriate – The candidate has clearly demonstrated a level of
understanding appropriate to the requirements of their proposal; Adequate – The candidate has presented a clear
case, however there are some points of concern to be addressed; Not Adequate – the candidate has failed to
demonstrate an understanding of the requirements of the proposed research)
Theoretical Background:
Clear statement of the aims of the research
Appropriate
Adequate
Not Adequate
Understanding of theory
Appropriate
Adequate
Not Adequate
Development of hypotheses/ Research questions
Appropriate
Adequate
Not Adequate
Overall comprehensiveness
Appropriate
Adequate
Not Adequate
Quality of literature review
Appropriate
Adequate
Not Adequate
Project proposal demonstrates a capacity for critical review
Appropriate
Adequate
Not Adequate
Appropriateness of method for proposed research
Appropriate
Adequate
Not Adequate
Understanding of methods
Appropriate
Adequate
Not Adequate
Methods and Analysis:
ENDORSEMENT
Faculty PVC Delegate:
Endorsed:
Yes
No
Name
DVC:
Approved:
Yes
No
Date
Signature
Comment:
OFFICE USE ONLY
CALLISTA

Updated

Notified
Initials:
Date:
Please return this form to the Office of Research and Innovation, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909. Fax (08) 8946 7066.
HDR-16 Updated August 2012 • Controlled by Manager, URS
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Appropriateness of proposed analysis for methods and
research question
Appropriate
Adequate
Not Adequate
Clarity of presentation
Appropriate
Adequate
Not Adequate
Understanding of ethics and legal requirements
Appropriate
Adequate
Not Adequate
Appropriateness of timelines for completion
Appropriate
Adequate
Not Adequate
Other:
Comments
(including further
actions required
where applicable)
Assessors Names
Assessors Signatures
1.
2.
3.
NOTES
Research Students Confirmation of Candidature – Research Proposal and Oral Defence
1. Requirement
As part of the Confirmation of Candidature process, all
commencing research degree Candidates are required to
deliver an Oral Defence of their Research Proposal to a group
of disciplinary peers and other colleagues on the detailed
Research Proposal and any preliminary results. The Research
Proposal and its Oral Defence are assessed by an HDR Panel
formed by the relevant Faculty.
The timeframe in which these activities must be completed is
 For Doctor of Philosophy: within 9 months of full-time
equivalent study
 For Masters by Research: within 6 months of full-time
equivalent study
 For Research Professional Doctorate: within 6 months of
full-time equivalent study in the research component of
the course.
HDR-16 Updated August 2012 • Controlled by Manager, URS
2. Role of the Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC) or Delegate
(PVC Delegate)
The Pro Vice-Chancellor or their nominated delegate will be
responsible for monitoring the progress of research degree
Candidates through the Confirmation process and will be the
main point of contact for communication with the Office of
Research and Innovation and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(DVC).
3. Timeline
The Oral Defence is scheduled once the Principal Supervisor
submits a copy of the Candidate’s Research Proposal and
Supervision Agreement and the Supervisor’s Assessment of
the Research Proposal to the PVC Delegate. The date of the
Presentation will depend on the availability of the HDR Panel.
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4. Advertising/Promotion
The Faculty is responsible for organising and advertising the
Oral Defence. The Oral Defence will be widely advertised and
invitations will be sent to:
1. Staff of the Faculty and other CDU staff with research
interests in related disciplines; and
2. CDU DVC and the Office of Research and Innovation.
5. HDR Panel
For each Candidate, the PVC Delegate will compose an HDR
Assessment Panel, as outlined below:
- The HDR Panel will have at least three members, all of
whom have experience in the discipline and have
qualifications (or experience) at least equivalent to that of
the degree program.
- A maximum of one member of the Supervisory Panel may
be on the HDR Panel.
- The Principal Supervisor may be on the HDR Panel.
- The Chair of the HDR Panel will be appointed by the PVC
Delegate.
- The Chair will not be a member of the Supervisory Panel.
- The Faculty Pro Vice-Chancellor shall have the final
authority as to the composition of the HDR Panel.
Considerations
In preparation for the Oral Defence the members of the HDR
Panel will have read the Candidate’s written Research
Proposal, which will be made available to all members of the
HDR Panel at least 2 weeks before the Oral Defence.
The HDR Panel will assess the Candidate’s Research Proposal
and Oral Defence. In making its assessment the Panel shall
take into account the following, at a minimum:
 Ability to express ideas clearly and logically, both orally
and in writing.
 Knowledge of the field and of current theories, as
presented in both the Research Proposal and Oral
Defence.
 Critical and original insights into the field.
 Capacity of the candidate for independent work.
 Ability to clearly state the aims and rationale for the
project, project design and how the project as a whole
contributes to the field.
 Choice of a suitable research method or methods,
including awareness of ethical issues.
 Understanding of the proposed method of analysis of the
data and awareness of its strengths and weaknesses.
 Ability to respond to questions.
 Ability of the candidate to successfully complete the
degree in which they are enrolled.
HDR-16 Updated August 2012 • Controlled by Manager, URS
6. Feedback
The Panel will convene privately to complete their written
assessment of the Oral Presentation within 2 working days
following the Oral Defence. This Form will be used to
recommend the satisfactory completion of the Confirmation
of Candidature process. The final assessment must be
approved by a simple majority of the HDR Panel. Completion
of the written assessment is the responsibility of the Chair.
The Chair of the HDR Panel will submit the Complete
Assessment to the PVC Delegate within five (5) working days
of the Oral Defence.
The PVC Delegate discusses the assessment report with the
Candidate and the Principal Supervisor within ten (10)
working days of the Oral Defence taking place and provides
them with a copy of the completed assessment form.
7. CDU Office of Research and Innovation Notification
The PVC Delegate provides a copy of the assessment report
to the Faculty Office, who then notifies the Principal
Supervisor and Head of School of the outcome and forwards
the completed Assessment Proforma to the CDU Office of
Research and Innovation for the approval of the Deputy ViceChancellor.
8. Confirmation of Candidature
Confirmation of Candidature requires the three elements of
a) Supervision Agreement, b) Written Research Proposal and
c) Oral Defence to be completed successfully. The successful
completion of any one component does not imply the
successful completion of another component.
Once all components of the Confirmation process have been
satisfactorily completed the DVC, through the Office of
Research and Innovation, will notify the Candidate (cc:
Principal Supervisor, PVC Delegate and PVC) that Candidature
has been confirmed. In cases where the Candidate has failed
to achieve Confirmation of Candidature within the time
specified in the Common Rules for the degree this shall result
in the Candidate being required to Show Cause why
candidature should not be terminated. The DVC may then
either extend the period for submission of a Research
Proposal and/or Supervision Agreement and/or Oral
Presentation or terminate candidature.
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