Higher Degree by Research Policy

Intent

This Policy has been established to determine eligibility, admission, progression and finalisation of higher degrees by research (HDR) requirements offered by James Cook University (JCU, the University).

This Policy addresses Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF) Standards 1.1.1, 1.3.3-6, 1.4.5-7, and 4.2: Research Training.

Scope

This Policy applies to applicants and candidates seeking to undertake, or undertaking a HDR program, and staff involved with the delivery of HDR programs at JCU, regardless of location.

Definitions

Terms mentioned in this document and not defined here are defined in the Policy Glossary.

Advisory Panel: the panel of advisors nominated by the Associate Dean, Research Education (ADRE) on behalf of the College Dean and approved by the Dean, Graduate Research and Researcher Development (Dean, GRRD), or nominee, to undertake the day-to-day supervision of the HDR candidate.

Candidature Committee: the committee established to monitor the progress of an individual HDR candidate.

College:  the organisational unit in which the HDR candidate is enrolled. This unit reflects the organisational affiliation of at least one member of the Advisory Panel, usually the Primary Advisor.

Coursework component: the subject(s) studied by the HDR candidate to enhance their capacity to undertake research in the discipline (or cross-disciplinary field) and fulfil their career aspirations.

Examiner: an expert external to the University in the field of research of the thesis, preferably also with experience of examining Australian research doctoral theses, who is appointed to examine the thesis against the criteria established by the University.

External candidate: a HDR candidate who does not attend a recognised campus of the University on a regular basis with the agreement of the Advisory Panel, and approval of the Dean (GRRD).

Full-time candidate: a HDR candidate enrolled at the rate of 1 EFSTL per year.

Graduate Research School: the organisational unit responsible for the university-level administration of higher degrees by research.

Higher degree by research: Australian Qualifications Framework Level 9 (Masters) or Level 10 (Doctorate) degrees that meet the requirements for funding under the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017 (Research Training Program).

Internal candidate: a candidate who attends a recognised campus of the University on a regular basis.

Milestones: a formal checkpoint used to provide quality assurance and academic oversight, which assesses a candidate’s progress and offers recommendations regarding HDR preparedness for the next phase of candidature.

Part-time candidate: a HDR candidate enrolled at the rate of 0.5 EFSTL per year.

Register of Advisors: a register of University staff who are qualified to be members of HDR Advisory Panels.

Research Component: refers specifically to planning and undertaking research, developing a thesis, preparation of products for examination, developing new research methods and new data analysis, writing of research or scholarly documents, developing/performing creative works, or other activities fundamental to research. The research component of the candidature must be supervised by the Advisory Panel.

Research Doctorate degree: a PhD or Research Professional Doctorate that meets the Level 10 requirements of the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Research Methods Subject: a subject that assists the HDR candidate to acquire the skills required to undertake the Research Component of their higher degree by research.

Thesis: a substantial and intellectually coherent product or product(s) using one or more media such as a thesis, dissertation or collection of research artefacts, or exegesis and portfolio of creative work and/or performance that allows the candidate to demonstrate the knowledge and skills to satisfy the requirements for a AQF 9 (Masters) or AQF 10 (Doctoral) degree.

Advisory Panel - The panel of advisors nominated by the Associate Dean Research Education (ADRE) on behalf of the College Dean and approved by the Dean, Graduate Research (or nominee) to undertake the day-to-day supervision of the HDR candidate.

Candidature Committee - A Candidature Committee is created to monitor the progress of an individual HDR candidate.

College - means the University organisational unit in which the candidate is enrolled. This unit reflects the organisational affiliation of at least one member of the Advisory Panel, usually the Primary Advisor.

Coursework component - is the subject(s) studied by the HDR candidate to enhance their capacity to undertake research in the discipline (or cross-disciplinary field) and fulfil their career aspirations.

Examiner - means an expert external to the University in the field of research of the thesis, preferably also with experience of examining Australian research doctoral theses, who is appointed to examine the thesis against the criteria established by the University.

External candidate - is a candidate who is unable to attend a recognised campus of the University on a regular basis.

Full-time candidate - is a candidate enrolled at the rate of 1 EFSTL per year.

Graduate Research School - means the organisational unit responsible for the university-level administration of higher degrees by research.

Higher degree by research - defined by the Australian Qualifications Framework and include Master of Philosophy (MPhil), Masters by Research, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and named Professional Doctorates.

Internal candidate - is a candidate who attends a recognised campus of the University on a regular basis as negotiated with their Advisory Panel to fulfil the degree requirements.

Milestones - are events that receive special attention to mark the completion of the key phases of HDR candidature and provide the opportunity for formal recommendations to be made about the candidate’s progress.

Part-time candidate - is a candidate enrolled at the rate of 0.5 EFSTL per year.

Register of Advisors - is a register of persons qualified to be members of HDR Advisory Panels.

Research Component - refers specifically to planning and undertaking research, developing a thesis, preparation of products for examination, developing new research methods and new data analysis, writing of research or scholarly documents, developing/performing creative works, or other activities fundamental to research. The research component of the candidature must be supervised by the Advisory Panel.

Research Doctorate degree - is a PhD or Research Professional Doctorate that meets the Level 10 requirements of the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Research Education Advisory Committee - is the committee appointed to advise the University’s Research Committee on matters related to the administration, supervision and examination of candidates enrolled in higher degrees by research

Research Methods Subject - is a subject that assists the candidate to acquire the skills required to undertake the Research Component of their higher degree by research.

Requirements

1. Application, Admission and Enrolment

1.1 Applicants will be admitted only where they meet all entry requirements as described in the HDR Application, Admissions and Enrolment Procedure.

1.2 For proposed research involving working with children under 18 years of age, the applicant must be eligible to hold a Blue Card/Working with Children Check Positive Notice, as required by law, and the University’s ethics approval process, Child Safety Policy and associated procedures.

1.3 Applications for HDR candidature will be undertaken via the Higher Degree by Research Application Form in accordance with the HDR Application, Admission and Enrolment Procedure.

1.4 The approval of an application for candidature must not expose the University to a risk of contravening any applicable law, including any international embargoes, sanctions or controls which regulate the University’s operations.

1.5 Candidates applying for or enrolled in a Singapore campus-based Higher Degree by Research are subject to legislative requirements for Singapore/International students in addition to the provisions of this Policy.

1.6 A HDR candidate may seek concurrent enrolment in another degree, diploma or certificate only with the approval of the Dean, GRRD. HDR candidates who fail to make satisfactory progress in their Higher Degree by Research will be directed to suspend or discontinue their concurrent studies.

2. Candidature

2.1 HDR candidates must adhere to the University’s standards of academic, research and personal conduct as set out in the Student Code of Conduct, the Gender-based Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy, Student Academic Misconduct Procedure, the Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, and the Universities Australia Principles for Respectful Supervisory Relationships.

2.2 The University will support candidates toward completion by providing an advisory team with roles and responsibilities as described in the HDR Advisory Procedure and access to resources as described in the HDR Minimum Standard of Resources, Facilities and Other Support Procedure.

2.3 To support HDR candidates toward timely completion, progress will be formally reviewed through candidature milestones as described in the HDR Candidature Progression Procedure.

2.4 The University will support candidates in the development of skills to conduct independent research as well as broader transferrable skills for careers both within and beyond academia.

2.5 HDR candidates are required to complete all requirements of the degree within two years from enrolment (full time equivalent) for a research masters degree and four years from enrolment (full time equivalent) for a doctorate.

2.6 The minimum duration of candidature for a HDR is 1 year full-time equivalent for a research masters degree and 2 years full-time equivalent for a doctorate unless an alteration is approved by the Dean, GRRD.

2.7 Internal HDR candidates are required to attend a recognised campus of the University on a regular basis, as negotiated with their Advisory Panel, to fulfil the degree requirements.

2.8 HDR candidates must remain enrolled until submission of the thesis for examination.

2.9 The University communicates with HDR candidates via their JCU student email, which must be checked regularly and responded to promptly.

2.10 All candidates must maintain regular communication as agreed with their Advisory Panel, or risk being subject to a review of their candidature.

2.11 HDR candidates may apply to vary their candidature from the course arrangements described in the Offer of Candidature in accordance with the HDR Candidature Progression Procedure.

2.12 Changes to candidature for international candidates may be subject to student visa conditions, the provisions of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act), and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) sanctions legislation.

3. Course Components

3.1 The HDR must not comprise more than one-third coursework.

3.2 HDR candidates must participate in and contribute to the intellectual life of their college by attending and presenting seminars or through other opportunities that may arise.

3.3 All research work must be conducted at locations, in a manner, and under the conditions approved by the HDR candidate’s Advisory Panel and any other relevant authority.

3.4 HDR candidates must comply with the Work, Health and Safety Policy and related procedures, and undertake mandatory training and any other relevant training or inductions, as amended from time to time.

3.5 Each HDR candidate will undertake a program of development appropriate to their field of research, level of the degree and their career aspirations.

4. Supervision

Supervision of HDR Candidates must be conducted in alignment with the HDR Advisory Procedure, Staff Code of Conduct, Gender-based Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy and the Universities Australia Principles for Respectful Supervisory Relationships.

5. Thesis Preparation, Submission and Examination

5.1 HDR candidates must submit their thesis (or equivalent materials) for examination in accordance with the HDR Thesis Submission and Examination Procedure.

5.2 A HDR candidate must not present in their thesis any research which contributed, in part or in whole, to the HDR candidate being awarded another qualification, except where the candidature is governed by a formal Cotutelle or Conjoint Degree Agreement.

5.3 The thesis must be presented in accordance with the advice provided under the “Thesis Preparation” information for Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy web pages.

5.4 Thesis examiners will be nominated as described in the HDR Thesis Submission and Examination Procedure.

5.5 The thesis will be examined according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) descriptors, and be undertaken by external experts in the field.

6. Conferral of Award

A HDR candidate will be eligible for conferral when they have met the requirements of the named degree and have complied with all conditions outlined in the HDR Thesis Submission and Examination Procedure.

7. Higher Doctorates

HDR candidates wishing to be considered for a Higher Doctorate award should follow the Higher Doctorate Procedure.

Related Policy Instruments

Gender-based Violence and Sexual Misconduct Policy

Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research

Higher Doctorate Procedure

HDR Application, Admissions, and Enrolment Procedure

HDR Candidature Progression Procedure

HDR Thesis Submission and Examination Procedure

Singapore HDR Candidature Management Procedure

HDR Advisory Procedure

Intellectual Property Policy

English Language and Numeracy Policy

Student Code of Conduct

Student Academic Misconduct Procedure

Work Health and Safety Policy

Related Documents and Legislation

HDR Thesis Preparation Guidelines

Universities Australia Principles for Respectful Supervisory Relationships

Schedules/Appendices

Nil

Administration

NOTE: Printed copies of this policy are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.

Approval details

Revision History