Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the Head of Department
The Associate Dean Research and Research Training, acting as Head of Department, has ultimate responsibility for postgraduate students and supervision practices within the Graduate School. It is the responsibility of the Associate Dean to ensure that:
- the student meets the requirements set down by the institution for admission to candidature;
- the proposed research project is appropriate in content and in scope for the degree;
- the Graduate School is the appropriate place for the research to be undertaken;
- the proposed supervisor is expert in the area of research, and has the time and commitment to be able to offer the student appropriate supervision. Where the proposed supervisor is inexperienced, the Associate Dean should arrange for a co-supervisor;
- appropriate supervision can be provided and maintained throughout the research period. Students should be informed at the outset if the supervisor is to be away during the period of candidacy. The appointment of a temporary supervisor is mandatory, and the candidate should be formally introduced to the new supervisor;
- appropriate opportunities are provided, by way of seminars and other meetings, for students to develop their skills at presenting their work and to facilitate their integration into the collegial life of the Graduate School;
- appropriate opportunities are provided for students to interact with and develop profitable intellectual relationships with one another. It is recognised that as most Graduate School of Education postgraduate students are part-time there are difficulties in achieving this aim.
Responsibilities of the Supervisor
The supervisor has specific responsibilities which include:
- discussing the nature of research with the student and the standard expected for particular degrees, the choice of research topic, the planning of the research program, the selection of appropriate methodological studies, the availability of library resources in the field and bibliographical and technical assistance, and advising the student about the most effective use of time.
- informing the student of ethical practices relevant to the field, and the need to obtain permission from Departmental and/or University Ethics Committees, and from institutions such as the Department of Education and Training if field work is to be carried out in government schools (see Ethics);
- inducting the student into the literature on the research topic, the major journals in the field, the explanatory paradigms which scholars in the field have developed, and providing the student with information about relevant professional and academic associations and conferences;
- maintaining close and regular contact with the student and establishing at the beginning the basis on which contact will be made. This will facilitate the supervisor's role in advising the student on the pace of progress, and ensuring that a reasonable timetable is set to permit the degree to be completed in the appropriate time;
- requiring written work from the student on a pre-arranged and agreed schedule so that progress can be assessed at regular intervals;
- discussing with the student from the outset the final format of the thesis, style of citation, bibliography etc., so that the preferred format may be adopted from the beginning. The University of Melbourne and the Graduate School of Education have formally endorsed the publication Practical Aspects of Producing a Thesis at the University of Melbourne, published by the Graduate Student's Association (2nd edition 1993);
- monitoring carefully the performance of the student relative to the standard required for the degree, and ensuring that inadequate progress or work below the standard generally expected is brought to the student's attention. The supervisor should help with developing solutions to problems as they are identified;
- using the regular reporting procedures established by the Graduate School of Education to ensure that problems with the student's progress are formally noted by the Department;
- providing detailed feedback in writing within a reasonable time of receiving written work from the student. This should include comment on the writing style and other matters;
- informing PhD and DEd. candidates of requirements to present work in Graduate School seminars prior to confirmation of candidature;
- at the time of submission of the thesis, certifying that the thesis is properly presented, conforms to the regulations and is prima facie worthy of examination;
- advising the Melbourne Education Student Centre of the names, addresses and credentials of suitable examiners who have agreed to act in that capacity. Supervisors are asked to advise potential external examiners that an honorarium will be paid for a completed examination. In January 2004 this was $75 for a Master of Education thesis of 20,000 words, $191 for a Master of Education thesis of 30,000 words, and $337 for a Doctor of Education dissertation (Examiners overseas will also be given $10 postage and handling);
- advising the candidate on avenues for publishing scholarly work;
- directing the candidate to appropriate research methodology studies, and, in particular, advising the candidate in their selection of research method module(s) within the subject Research Methods in Education
Responsibilities of the Candidate
Ultimate responsibility for the thesis lies with the student who is expected to develop and demonstrate the ability to carry out independent research, conceptualise at a high level, and express his or her ideas coherently. The supervisor's role is that of a ïcritical friend' and mentor.
The responsibilities of the candidate include:
- discussing with the supervisor the type of help considered most useful, and keeping to an agreed schedule of meetings which will ensure regular contact;
- taking the initiative in raising problems or difficulties and sharing responsibility for seeking solutions;
- maintaining the progress of the work in accordance with the stages agreed with the supervisor, including the presentation of any required written material in sufficient time to allow for comments and discussion before proceeding to the next stage;
- developing word processing skills in order to facilitate the inclusion of suggestions made by the supervisor and also the production of the final thesis. Many supervisors will not accept handwritten work;
- discussing with the supervisor at regular intervals progress towards, and impediments to, maintaining the agreed timetable;
- providing a formal report to the appropriate committee at the times specified by the Graduate School of Education or the University's School of Graduate Studies;
- adopting safe work practices at all times and adhering to the ethical practices appropriate to the discipline (see Ethics)
- accepting responsibility for producing the final copies of the thesis, and ensuring that it is in accord with the relevant requirements, including standards of presentation and good English;
- undertaking research methodology studies as directed by the supervisor and required by your course structure.
Grievance Procedures
If the situation arises where the supervisor/student relationship has broken down the Head of Department should be approached to resolve the conflict. If the relationship has deteriorated to the stage that it is irretrievable an alternative supervisor, acceptable to both the student and Graduate School, may be sought.
Any dispute that may arise during the course of a student's candidature should be referred in the first instance to the Associate Dean. If resolution cannot be reached, the Dean of the Graduate School may be approached to assist. The Dean is the final avenue of appeal within the Graduate School.
Assistance and advice for students with grievances can also be sought from the University of Melbourne Graduate Student's Association.