Purpose

Overview

The University requires HDR candidates to prepare a thesis in fulfillment of research degree requirements and for the thesis to undergo a process of external examination. Reports of the examination process are submitted in writing and reviewed by the Higher Degree Research Committee (HDRC).  When all work on the thesis has been completed to the satisfaction of HDRC and any compulsory coursework units have been satisfactorily completed, a recommendation is made to Academic Senate as to the award of the degree.

The University encourages candidates to prepare a thesis by publication as this format provides an opportunity to add further value to the research student experience.  A thesis by publication also provides an incentive for a timely completion, enhances employment prospects, improves publication outputs and strengthens the University’s research rankings.

Scope

Policy

1. An HDR thesis embodies the results of original research and investigation by a candidate enrolled in a research degree.
2. The University requires that a contribution to knowledge be made through research degree completion and that this contribution (‘distinct’ in the case of doctoral degrees) be made during candidature, that is, while enrolled in the research degree. The thesis must also not have formed part of another degree successfully completed at Macquarie or elsewhere, unless under the auspices of a joint enrolment agreement.
3. The University recognises that theses or parts of theses may be presented in a variety of formats and media but will incorporate a written component which is situated in an academic discourse appropriate for the discipline area.
4. Theses may include relevant papers (including conference presentations) published, accepted, submitted or prepared for publication.  The research for these papers is to be undertaken during the period of candidature.  These papers should form a coherent and integrated body of work, which includes a comprehensive and critical introduction and an integrative conclusion and focus on a single project or set of related questions or propositions.
5. The preparation of papers both in journal article format and in high quality publications both during and following candidature requires time and planning.  Macquarie University encourages research candidates and supervisors at the commencement of candidature to design HDR projects incorporating such papers. 
6. The thesis must be the candidate’s own work and any contribution by other people, including co-authors of papers, must be clearly stated in the thesis.
7. The length of the thesis is to conform to the requirements set by the Executive Dean of the Faculty in which the candidate is enrolled and will allow for discipline variations.
8. The thesis shall contain an abstract of approximately 200 words.
9. The thesis shall be written in English and reach a satisfactory level of literary presentation.  HDRC may permit candidates to submit a thesis or part thereof in a language other than English.

1. The HDR candidate is required to submit four copies of a doctoral thesis and three copies of a Masters thesis embodying the results of the candidate’s work.  The format of the thesis is to conform to the Guidelines approved by the University.
2. The Principal Supervisor must certify in writing that the thesis meets University preparation requirements.
3. A candidate may submit a thesis for examination against the advice of the Principal Supervisor, for consideration by HDRC.

1. Examiners are required to address the following criteria in the assessment of the thesis: that it forms a (‘distinct’ in the case of a doctoral degree) contribution to the knowledge of the subject area; that it affords evidence of originality through the discovery of new facts or by the exercise of independent critical analysis and that it is satisfactory as regards its literary presentation.
2. The examination of the thesis will assess the candidate’s work undertaken during enrolment and reported in the thesis.  It will exclude any work which formed part of another degree successfully completed at the University or elsewhere, unless completed as part of an approved joint enrolment agreement.  The candidate will be responsible for clearly indicating any such contribution from excluded sources.
3. Thesis content will remain confidential during the examination period and the University reserves the right to request examiners to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement if required.
4. The examiners shall report in writing to HDRC in an approved form indicating their assessment of the thesis and their recommendation as to whether the degree should or should not be awarded or whether additional work should be undertaken by the candidate.  They may recommend to HDRC that the candidate undertake such oral, written or practical examination as they may specify.
5. HDRC may determine that an oral examination be used to resolve concerns about the thesis.  An oral examination is viewed as a supplementary examination.  The HDR candidate is required to attend the oral examination.
6. Only one submission for re-examination is permitted.
7. A candidate who does not re-submit a thesis for examination within the specified time will be deemed to have not satisfied requirements for the award of the degree.

1. The nomination and selection of examiners is based on the principle that candidates receive an impartial examination by high quality examiners in the field of research.
2. The examiners must not have had any involvement in the preparation of the thesis, as a member of the supervisory panel or as an academic advisor for the candidate and must satisfy other University policy requirements such as those relating to conflict of interest.
3. Examiners of HDR theses are appointed by HDRC following advice and information provided by Faculties.  Each doctoral thesis will be examined by at least three examiners and each Masters thesis will be examined by at least two examiners. In exceptional circumstances, the HDRC may approve the examination of a doctoral thesis by two examiners.
4. An appointed examiner will be a national and/or international expert in the HDR thesis field, with an academic appointment in the field of research, relevant high quality research publications, and whose assessment will be respected nationally and internationally. Examination panels are to include at least one international and one national examiner to maintain the international quality of Macquarie’s HDR awards. There will be no more than one examiner from any single institution appointed.
5. At least two examiners of a doctoral thesis and one examiner of a Masters thesis will have previous HDR thesis examination experience.
6. Examiners are not permitted to:
• be currently employed, nor within the last five years have been employed, by Macquarie University
• have graduated with a doctoral degree from Macquarie University within the last ten years
• have been an HDR student under the supervision of any member of the supervising panel, either at Macquarie University or elsewhere
• have been co-authors or co-editors of publications nor collaborated in research with the candidate
• have been co-authors or co-editors of publications with any of the supervising panel within the last five years.
7. To preserve anonymity of examiners, a minimum of five examiners are to be included in Part A of the Nomination of Examiners form for a PhD and four for a Masters.
8. Exceptions to this Policy will require a fully substantiated case attached to the Nomination of Examiners form for consideration by the HDRC.

1. The HDRC will determine the examination recommendation to be made to Academic Senate.  The determination will be finalised following a recommendation to HDRC by the Program and Examination Sub-Committee.
2. The Program and Examination Sub-Committee will review individual examination reports and the comments submitted about the examination reports by the Principal Supervisor.
3. A recommendation for the award of a Vice –Chancellor’s Commendation will be made for theses which are nominated by all examiners as being in the top 5% (or equivalent) of all theses examined.

1. A final Library copy of the thesis approved by Academic Senate must be lodged with the Macquarie University Library within 4 weeks of the candidate qualifying to receive the degree award, subject to any approved moratorium conditions.