Coursework Thesis Supervision and Examination
Procedure (MPF1027)
GOVERNING POLICY
This procedure is made under the Academic Performance Policy.
SCOPE
This policy applies to theses and research projects undertaken as part of bachelor honours and
coursework higher degree programs where the thesis or research project is worth 25 points or
more. It does not apply to research higher degree theses.
PROCEDURE
1.
Acceptance of candidature
1.1
Faculties and graduate schools offering graduate coursework programs containing thesis
elements will determine rules governing the following matters:
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the number of supervisors to be appointed
processes for the submission of research proposals, the acceptance of candidature and
the approval of the research topic
deadlines for submission of progress reports and of the final thesis, and intermission of
and extensions to thesis candidature
the form of presentation of the completed thesis or report, including the number of copies,
the form of binding and the nature of any oral presentation that is required
the process for examination, including the number of examiners and whether the
examiners are internal, external or a combination of both.
1.2
Faculties and graduate schools will provide information about the rules covered in section
1.1 to students on enrolment.
2.
Supervisors
2.1
Departments will appoint supervisors in a timely way, ensuring that:
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supervisors are appropriately qualified and have formal qualifications or experience and
knowledge in the relevant discipline to enable adequate guidance to the student
where a student is placed in an affiliated organisation for the purpose of undertaking the
thesis or project, and a member of staff of that organisation will supervise the student as
the principal or sole supervisor, that person is contracted to the University for the
purposes of supervising the student in accordance with human resources policies and
procedures
where a member of staff from a non-affiliated external organisation will supervise the
student, they will be appointed as an associate supervisor not the principal supervisor
where the principal supervisor is not a member of the department, the program
coordinator (or nominee) will act as a departmental supervisor
where a supervisor becomes unavailable during a student’s research, a replacement is
appointed as soon as practicable so that there is no loss of continuity in supervision.
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2.2
Departments may appoint an additional supervisor from an appropriate discipline to cosupervise students where the research is of an interdisciplinary nature.
3.
Roles and responsibilities of students
3.3
Students will:
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4.
negotiate the topic of the thesis with a prospective supervisor (where the thesis topic is
negotiable);
inform the program coordinator of the topic and supervisor selected;
prepare a research proposal, as required;
maintain progress as documented in the research proposal;
negotiate alterations to the research proposal with the supervisor;
meet regularly with the supervisor;
raise any issues or problems with the supervisor as soon as practicable;
inform the program coordinator if a supervisor is not available or does not attend
scheduled meetings;
ensure that the writing style and presentation of the thesis are appropriate; and
submit the thesis in the form required by the faculty/graduate school.
Roles and responsibilities of supervisors
4.1
Supervisors will:
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5.
determine a suitable research topic, or where the thesis topic is negotiable, negotiate a
suitable research topic with the student and, where applicable, assist the student to
prepare the research proposal;
complete the supervision checklist in consultation with the student;
participate in student induction processes concerning policies and procedures relevant to
the research topic and methodology, and assist students with any queries on research
policies and procedures, as required;
discuss authorship (publications, abstracts) and any intellectual property issues prior to
the start of the thesis;
arrange to meet regularly with the student to discuss the design and conduct of the
research, its outcomes and the preparation of the thesis or report and any oral
presentations required;
guide the student to appropriate reference material;
provide advice and feedback on the conduct of the research, on any seminars and written
submissions presented by the student and on drafts of the thesis or report prior to
submission;
inform the program coordinator if the student fails to attend scheduled meetings without
reason;
check drafts for writing style and presentation problems; and
where appropriate, encourage the student to publish their research and advise on
publication avenues.
Roles and responsibilities of departments
5.1
Departments will:
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appoint supervisors, chair of examiners and examiners
advise students no later than their commencement in the thesis subject on how the
supervision process will proceed
provide necessary resources to support the student in the candidature
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hear any complaints concerning the candidature, within the terms of University policy and
procedures on the handling of student complaints and grievances
5.2
Departments will provide appropriate induction to students on all relevant policies and
procedures governing the conduct of the research and the submission of the thesis, including
policies on:
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research integrity
research misconduct and plagiarism
research ethics
intellectual property.
5.3
Departments will document the thesis examination procedures and make them available to
students on enrolment in the thesis subject. For substantial theses of 100 points or more,
examination procedures will follow the procedures for the examination of research master theses.
5.4
Departments will establish assessment processes which will set out clear and transparent
methods for resolving discrepancies among examiners including:
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the appointment of a chair of examiners with responsibility for allocation of examiners and
resolution of discrepancies
a process for seeking an agreed assessment outcome through consultation among
examiners
a process for appointing an additional examiner and for incorporating the additional
examiner’s input into the final thesis assessment (in particular, it should be clear: whether
all assessments will be taken into account and, if so, how; whether a discrepant
assessment will be discarded; and whether the determination of the additional examiner
will be final)
a mechanism by which the supervisor can signal concern over the fairness of the mark
awarded to a thesis, and a clear and transparent mechanism for resolving such concerns.
Examination of the thesis
6.1
Departments will ensure that the assessment of the thesis is undertaken in a timely way
recognising the contribution of coursework thesis marks to students’ options for employment and
further study.
6.2
The chair of examiners will appoint the examiner(s), in consultation with the program
coordinator and the supervisor.
6.3
Each examiner will provide the chair of examiners with a mark for the thesis and written
comments. Written comments will be general in nature and be clearly distinguished from
suggestions about possible improvements to the text or possible additional work, which an
examiner may or may not provide as a courtesy to the student.
6.4
Where more than one examiner is engaged, the chair of examiners will coordinate the
process for arriving at a single mark and grade.
6.5
Where there is a dispute over the final mark and grade the department will follow the
process of resolution as set out in the MPhil and Masters by Research handbooks.
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6.6
Departments will release an overall mark for the thesis. The chair of examiners will provide
feedback on the thesis to the student based on information of a general nature included in the
written examiners’ comments ensuring that the anonymity of examiners is preserved.
6.7
Departments will advise students of the University policy and procedures for appeal.
7.
Appeals
7.1
The Academic Board may decide any dispute or question arising under this procedure
other than a decision by an examiner or examination board in relation to the academic
performance of a student in any component of assessment which is based solely on academic
judgement.
7.2 Students may submit a complaint or grievance in relation to the application of this
procedure in accordance with the Student Complaints and Grievances Policy and the Student
Complaints and Grievances Procedure.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
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Academic Performance Policy
Enrolment Policy
Student Complaints and Grievances Policy
Student Complaints and Grievances Procedure
DEFINITIONS
Term
coursework thesis
department
examiner
program coordinator
supervisor
thesis
Definition
a thesis or research project completed by a student under the
supervision of a member of the academic staff of the University as
part of a coursework higher degree, an honours program or at the
fourth year of an undergraduate program, which is weighted at 25
credit points or more.
the department, school or other academic organisational unit that is
responsible for the program in which the student is enrolled.
individual designated as responsible for a particular component of
assessment by the Chair of the Examination Board from those
teaching the subject
the academic staff member responsible for management and
oversight of the coursework thesis component of an honours or
coursework higher degree program.
the academic staff member responsible for providing expert advice
and guidance to a student undertaking a coursework thesis.
in this procedure means theses and research projects
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER
The President of the Academic Board is responsible for the development, compliance monitoring
and review of this procedure and any associated guidelines.
IMPLEMENTATION OFFICER
The Academic Secretary is responsible for the promulgation and implementation of this
procedure in accordance with the scope outlined above. Enquiries about interpretation of this
procedure should be directed to the implementation officer.
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REVIEW
This procedure is to be reviewed by 28 February 2015
VERSION HISTORY
Version
Approved By
Approval Date
Effective Date
1
President,
21 September
Academic Board 2012
21 September
2012
Sections Modified
New version arising from the Policy
Simplification Project. Loaded into MPL
as Version 1.
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