Objectives of the Doctoral and Master's Assessment
Components of the Doctoral and Master's Assessment
Procedures for conduct of the Assessment
Resolution of progress
Intellectual property
The thesis
The examination process
Appeals
Awards and graduation
Supervision regulations and responsibilities
Selection of supervisors

Before or at the end of two semesters for full-time Doctoral and Master's candidates, and before or at the end of four semesters for part-time Doctoral candidates and three semesters for part-time Master's by thesis candidates, the candidate's progress is assessed. The purpose of this assessment is to ensure that candidates are equipped with the knowledge to carry out their research program and have made sufficient progress to make it likely that they will finish in the prescribed time.

Candidates who do not satisfy the requirements for the Doctoral or Master's Assessment will not be permitted to proceed with their candidature unless they gain the approval of the UTS Academic Board. They will then be invited to re-attempt the Doctoral Assessment six months after they have been notified in writing of the unsatisfactory outcome.

Objectives of the Doctoral and Master's Assessment

The objectives of the Assessment are to ensure that:

1. candidates have the knowledge and skills to enable successful and timely completion of their research program
2. candidates who are not suited/equipped to work towards a research degree are made aware of this fact before they have invested considerable time and money, and
3. there is a commitment by the University through the supervisor and Faculty for provision of sufficient human and physical resources to enable satisfactory completion of the research program.

Components of the Doctoral and Master's Assessment

The components of assessment are:

1. satisfactory progress over the preceding semesters
2. written document (not exceeding 10,000 words) describing the proposed research through reference to literature, formulating an appropriate research topic/question/hypothesis, discussing the significance of the work within the area of study and justifying the proposed methodology/method
3. an open seminar presented to the Doctoral or Master's Assessment Panel and members of the University community on the research topic and proposal
4. re-assessment of resource implications of the proposed research project and confirmation by the Principal Supervisor that these requirements can be met either from research grants or from Faculty funds, and
5. completion of prescribed coursework prior to the Assessment.

Procedures for conduct of the Assessment

1. The candidate is notified of the upcoming Assessment no less that 12 weeks prior to the Assessment.
2. The supervisor(s) and Relevant Degree Coordinator are asked to nominate appropriate 'relevant others' for the Assessment Panel. Approval of the relevant others is sought from the Faculty Research Committee.
   The Assessment Panel shall be composed of the following members:
• Chair: Director of Research (or nominee)
• Elected member of the Faculty Research Committee
• Candidate's Principal Supervisor
• Candidate's Co-supervisor (will review written material and attend presentation if practicable)
• Two relevant others (knowledgeable in topic area and/or methodology and usually external to the Faculty).
3. The Assessment Panel members and candidate are provided with these Guidelines.
4. The presentation is advertised to the University community.
5. The candidate provides the written document no later than 14 days prior to the scheduled Assessment.
6. The Panel meets to discuss the process and written document prior to the seminar presentation.
7. The seminar presentation follows a standard process:
1. The Chairperson welcomes the candidate to the meeting, introduces members of the Panel and welcomes other guests/observers.
2. The Chairperson invites the candidate to give an oral presentation of up to 20 minutes.
3. The Chairperson invites comment from the candidate's supervisor(s), followed by questions from members of the Panel. Others present may be invited to ask questions of the candidate, if there is sufficient time.
4. The period for questions and discussion of the project proposal/seminar material normally does not exceed 40minutes.
5. The Chairperson thanks the candidate (and others present) and concludes the session.
8. The criteria that the Assessment Panel will use to assess the candidate's progress are:
1. the candidate's ability to select, analyse, synthesise and evaluate relevant material pertaining to the field of study
2. the candidate's understanding of key concepts, problems and issues in relevant literature
3. the candidate's critical acumen and capability for critical appraisal of relevant research
4. the candidate's substantiation of the choice of research topic/questions and its significance as an original contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the discipline of nursing
5. the candidate's justification of proposed research methods
6. the candidate's understanding of resource implications
7. the candidate's understanding of ethical implications
8. the candidate's capacity to adopt a suitable theoretical or conceptual framework for the proposed study, and
9. the candidate's capacity to complete the proposed research project within the prescribed time.
9. The Assessment Panel prepares a report taking the aims of the Assessment and specific criteria indicated above into account. Evidence to be used includes:
1. the candidate's progress during the candidature to date including Progress Reports
2. the candidate's written material, and
3. the content of the seminar in so far as it supplements the written material.
The Assessment Panel decision as to whether the candidate has satisfied the Assessment requirements is made by a vote of members of the Panel with a simple majority determining the outcome. In the event that the Assessment Panel is divided equally, the Chair of the Panel has a second or casting vote.
10. The candidate shall be informed of the Panel's determination verbally by the Panel (if appropriate) or in a meeting between the Chairperson, supervisors and the candidate as soon as practical. Either way, the candidate shall be advised of the determination in writing within two weeks. A copy of this letter shall be forwarded to the candidate's supervisor(s) and, the Faculty Research Committee and the University Graduate School.

Resolution of progress

Students at Master's and Doctoral level may have their registration discontinued if they fail to complete all prescribed work within a given period of time or if the University Graduate School Board is dissatisfied with the candidate's progress.

The University Rules relating to these matters for Master of Nursing (Honours) or Master of Midwifery (Honours) candidates are: Rules 3.4.14, 3.4.15 and 3.4.16; and for Doctoral candidates: Rules 3.5.14, 3.5.15 and 3.5.16.

These rules relate to discontinuation of registration, appeal against discontinuation of registration and result of appeal.

Intellectual property

The Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health has explicit guidelines relating to academic misconduct, including plagiarism.

In brief, plagiarism is defined as any attempt to use the work of another person without acknowledging the source. For the purposes of this rule 'work' is defined as written materials such as books, journals and magazine articles or other papers, and also includes films and computer programs.

At a research level, candidates must exercise great care in acknowledging all material derived from any source; if in doubt candidates should consult their supervisor – remember, even paraphrasing another person's work is defined as 'using' that person's work and must be acknowledged.

The penalties relating to a candidate found to have committed plagiarism are outlined in Rule 2.23.

The thesis

Master of Nursing (Honours), Master of Midwifery (Honours) and Doctoral candidates are required to submit theses to complete their programs.

The University Rules relating to the thesis topic, the submission of theses and the examination of theses are in the UTS: Calendar and online at:

www.uts.edu.au/div/publications/policies/rules/contents.html

Master of Nursing (Honours) and Master of Midwifery (Honours) candidates should consult and be familiar with Rules 3.4.10, 3.4.11, 3.4.12 and 3.4.13. Doctoral candidates should also familiarise themselves with Rules 3.5.10, 3.5.11, 3.5.12 and 3.5.13.

The examination process

Theses are examined by examiners (not including supervisors) appointed by the University Graduate School Board. In the case of Master's candidates, at least one of the two examiners will be external to the University, while for Doctoral candidates two of the three examiners will be external to the University.

Any candidate from either program may be required to undertake an oral defence of his or her thesis under such conditions as determined by the University Graduate School Board.

For full details of the examination procedure, candidates should refer to Rule 3.4.11 (Master's) or Rule 3.5.11 (Doctoral).

Appeals

In cases of appeal, a Student Assessment Appeals Committee of the Faculty Board considers the appeal following the criteria and procedures approved by the Academic Board.

For a detailed explanation of the rights and procedures of appeals, candidates should consult the University Rules (Rule 3.4.15 (Master's) or Rule 3.5.15 (Doctoral)), published in the UTS: Calendar and online at:

www.uts.edu.au/div/publications/policies/rules/contents.html

Awards and graduation

Research candidates should consult closely with their supervisor when anticipating graduation, as the assessment process for theses can be a time-consuming undertaking, and revisions are often required.

Graduation ceremonies are conducted during a specific period in April–May and September–October each year. Information regarding graduation will be forwarded to eligible candidates following the receipt of the Application for Award form.

Academic dress can be hired from the University. The Faculty colour for Nursing, Midwifery and Health is Fuchsia, PMS 247.

Supervision regulations and responsibilities

The purpose of this section is to provide both supervisors and candidates with a framework in which they may negotiate the actual details of the research and research supervision. While the supervisor–student relationship is a flexible one, the University requires supervisors to ensure by their advice, guidance and expertise that a particular candidate maintains satisfactory progress within the prescribed term of the candidature, that the candidate receives adequate advice both on the substance of the thesis and on the form its presentation will ultimately take, and that the work being done on the thesis is reviewed critically on a continuing basis.

The University thus acknowledges that research students have a right to effective supervision and research training. However, students have responsibilities as well in adhering to University Rules, in maintaining progress and in communicating with their supervisor(s). The University Graduate School Board has produced a Code of Practice for Supervisors and Doctoral Candidates and a Code of Practice for Supervisors and Master's by thesis Candidates which can be referred to in addition to this section. They are available online from the University Graduate School's website at:

www.gradschool.uts.edu.au

Selection of supervisors

Research for a Doctoral or Master's degree must lead to a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the subject by original investigation. Since the intellectual challenge and stimulation that should characterise such research depend to an extent on the relationship between candidate and supervisor, careful thought should be given by the candidate and proposed supervisor to the question of personal compatibility as well as common academic interest. It is essential that the project be of direct interest to the supervisor and candidate, and within the supervisor's area of expertise.

For Doctoral and Master's candidates there must a principal supervisor and panel of supervisors. The principal supervisor must be a member of the academic staff of the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health of the rank of lecturer or above, or its equivalent, and be a registered supervisor with the University Graduate School. A panel member may be either a member of the academic staff of the University or a person employed outside the University of recognised standing in the field of the candidate's research. Supervisors of Doctoral and Master's (research) candidates are appointed by the University Graduate School Board on the recommendation of the Responsible Academic Officer (Director of Research).

If a principal supervisor, for either Doctoral or Master's candidates, is within four years of retirement age, a co-supervisor should be appointed who can take over on retirement of the principal supervisor. The latter may then continue as co-supervisor if desired.

A person who is a candidate for a higher degree cannot be a supervisor.

All students are encouraged to refer to the Code of Conduct – Supervision. This are available online on the University Graduate School's website at:

www.gradschool.uts.edu.au