Progression Points

transcript

PhD EvaluationThe Progression Points

Dr Sonja Tomaskovic

Dr Raju Pathmeswaran

Developed by Dr Victoria Sheppard

What are Progression Points for?

• Evaluate Progress

• Quality Assurance

• Provide Structure and Support

Sisyphus from www.mythweb.com/encyc/zooms/sisyphus.gif

Today’s Session• Academic Criteria

• Timeline for PhD Process at Salford

• What does each progression point involve?

• Tips and student experience

Criteria

Doctoral students expected to demonstrate:

• Relevant research skills

• Understanding & knowledge

• Effective project design and management

• Originality

Research Skills

“a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry;”

Framework for Higher Education Qualification (FHEQ) Descriptors

Understanding and Knowledge“a systematic acquisition and

understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice;”

Project Design and Management

“the general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems;”

Originality• “the creation and interpretation of new

knowledge, through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication.”

Timeline for Salford full time PhD

Year 1

Learning Agreement 3 month

Year 2

Year 3

Interim Assessment 12 – 15 months

Internal Evaluation – 12 months after IA

Annual Report

Self Evaluation Report

Write-up and assessment period

Part time modelLearning Agreement 6 months

Interim Assessment 20-26 months

Internal Evaluation 20 months after IA

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

+ 2 Write up and assessment

Annual Report

Self-Evaluation

All the paperwork relating to PhD progression can be found at:

www.pg.salford.ac.uk/page/general_forms

Image © Luxomedia http://www.flickr.com/photos/videolux/2389320345/

1. Learning Agreement• Agreement between research

student and supervisor

• Collaborative planning of the research project

• Outlines training and resource requirements

2. Annual Reports• Annual progress report: Supervisor• Self-evaluation report: Postgraduate

researcher• Compulsory progress checks• Completed at end of each registered year• Both forms available on PG website. • Should be returned to school support

office before registration

Why have annual reports?To give PGR and Supervisor opportunity to

comment on academic progressSupervisor:• Achievements in last 12 months• Likelihood of submitting in time• Training undertaken• Levels of contact• Satisfactory progress?Recommends continuation of candidature (or

otherwise) to Board of Faculty

PGR:• Learning agreement completed• Training undertaken and planned• Achievements• Progress• Difficulties• Supervisory support• Research environment• Submission of thesis

3. Interim Assessment• 12–15 months (20–26 for p/t)

• Ensuring PGR reached certain threshold of academic performance

• Evaluation of progress of project

• Completion of required training and identification of any future training

Requirements

4,000 word report

Details work done to date, training (in line with learning agreement), identifies plans for remainder of PhD

Oral Exam

Panel of supervisor (or co-supervisor), and 2 members of academic staff from school

Panel Evaluates:• Clarity of research focus • Completion of literature review • Brief review and discussion of the work already

undertaken • Presentation of the data/findings to date • General knowledge of particular field of

learning • Details of original contribution to knowledge

likely to emerge • Statement of intended further work

Image © benprks http://www.flickr.com/photos/rivet/2767279500/

IA OutcomesContinue with PhD

Repeat Interim Assessment (3 months)

Terminate candidature

Transfer to different programme – MPhil, MRes, MSc by Research

Image © SLightlynorth http://www.flickr.com/photos/slightlynorth/677514537/

4. Internal Evaluation

• 12 months after Interim Assessment

• To ensure continuing academic progress

• Check on course to produce a thesis of acceptable quality on time

• Check participation in relevant training

IE requirementsSubstantive piece of workThe format is determined by the School, eg.

could be chapter of thesis or report on interim findings. c. 10,000- 15,000 words. Element of primary research framed within an overview

Oral ExaminationPanel of two research active members of

school but not the supervisor

Panel Evaluates:

• Original research/advanced scholarship • Acquisition/understanding of a substantial body

of knowledge • Creation and interpretation of new knowledge • Ability to make informed judgements on

complex issues • Ability to adjust research in light of unforeseen

problems • Personal responsibility/autonomous initiative

IE OutcomesContinue with PhD

Repeat Internal Evaluation (3 months)

OR Terminate candidatureTransfer to different programme – MPhil, MRes, MSc by Research

Arrangements • The student should be aware to when their

assessment is due.• A reminder should be sent either by the

supervisor or the research support staff.• If no reminder has been sent, then the

student must initiate this process through the supervisor.

• The supervisor will liaise with the research support staff to make the arrangements

Testimonials The presentation gave an overview ofmy report but concentrated on certain aspects of it

The assessors did not pick up on the things I thought they would […] Nobody

picked up on ontological or etymological issues.

We discussed in some detail a semantic definition of one of my central terms. We all realised that this will need some further work.

In the end, it was much more relaxed than I thought it would be. It was more aguidance than an examination.

Advice from researchers• Let the university know well in advance• During the assessment/evaluation don't

panic, they are just trying to find theboundaries of your knowledge at the time, not trip you up

• Prepare well• Make sure you present ideas clearly,

concisely and confidently • TAKE NOTES – some v helpful tips

And a few more…• Make use of the knowledge and

experience of others

• Practise explaining your work to others

• Get used to reflecting on your research, methods, and working practices

Please give us your FEEDBACK about this session:

For any further queries

www.survey.bris.ac.uk/salford/sport2010_11

PLEASE FILL IT IN – it will take only 5 minutes!

www.pg.salford.ac.uk

s.tomaskovic1@salford.ac.uk

Progression Points

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