The Confirmation Process At QUT

1. The Confirmation Process At QUT Susan Gasson Manager Research Students Centre s.gasson@qut.edu.au With thanks to Stephen Cox, Faculty of Business

2. Elements of the Confirmation Process • The aim of the Confirmation of Candidature process is to • Evaluate the candidate’s research skills • Evaluate the quality of the proposed research • Student Confirmation Requirements: • Confirmation Document • Seminar Presentation • Approval process: • Supervisory Team comment • Panel Review • Faculty recommendation • Research Degrees Committee (RDC) approval

3. Confirmation Document • Introduction • State project objectives • Brief outline of project • Literature review • Critical evaluation • Integrative cf annotated bibliography – forms an argument • Identify research gap / leads to reasons for WHY do study • So what/significant and original contribution to knowledge • Research Questions • Explicit statements • Well argued literature review • Evidence of how the questions will be explored through the research method

4. Overall evaluation of intro, lit review and RQs • Thorough • Clear • Critical • Linked • Theoretical and practical implications identified

5. Methods • Data sources • How many (sample size) • Where from (source) • Basis for selection (sampling strategy) and size • Both qualitative and quantitative • Clearly linked to Research Questions

6. Methods: • Measures • Quantitative –operationalisation of constructs • Qualitative – nature of data being collected – information about what? • Clearly linked back to RQs, hypotheses etc.

7. Methods: • Data collection techniques • Description of how data to be collected • Demonstrating your understanding of requirements • Providing evidence that this can be done • Rationale for THAT technique(s) • Previous studies • Requirements of this study • Evidence in the literature to support approach

8. Methods: • Overall evaluation of Methods • Appropriateness of method to Research Questions • Quality / rigour of approach • Sufficient detail – could someone progress to complete the study

9. Data analysis techniques • Appropriateness for the data collected • Clear link to the data collected (i.e. links to form of the data) • Also need to include: • Limitations of proposed research • Why and with what effect on signficance • Implications for further work • Timetable of progress

10. Confirmation Seminar • 40 minutes plus 20. • Public presentation • Balance between literature and methods. • Substance Vs Form

11. Introductionhttp://books.google.com.au/books?id=tMBFY51wY6UC&pg=PA80&lpg=PA80&dq=Harvard+%22Great+Presentation%22&source=web&ots=ZnX5n6Gj9H&sig=YLAZTPrYqAXghEIBDzHTDXjKXvk&hl=en&ei=JlybSZOQLJWksAO3qZmiAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result#PPA81,M1Introductionhttp://books.google.com.au/books?id=tMBFY51wY6UC&pg=PA80&lpg=PA80&dq=Harvard+%22Great+Presentation%22&source=web&ots=ZnX5n6Gj9H&sig=YLAZTPrYqAXghEIBDzHTDXjKXvk&hl=en&ei=JlybSZOQLJWksAO3qZmiAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result#PPA81,M1 • Prepare the audience: Talk about the • audience • Event • Place • Point of the speech

12. Narrative - Decide what you want to achieve • The essence of the narrative is communicating your story in a way the audience will understand. • Demonstrating your research skills • Highlight the quality of the proposed research in making a significant and original contribution

13. - The Narrative continued • Things to Consider • your audience • your content • the story you want to tell • the time available • the resources available (i.e., powerpoints, handouts, props, key data)

14. The Argument • Provide proof/logic to support your point. • Key points • How much information is enough • What can your audience understand • Ensure you can delivery your message effectively – guiding the listener

15. Rhetorical devices – to refute challenges • Parallel Structure – repetition of structure to make a point We will work we will learn We will create. • Triads – use lists of three items • Antithesis – Live free or Die; To be or not to be • Rhetorical question – Is this a good idea? Yes, because….

16. Learning styles • Visual learners – see something • Auditory learners – hear something • Kinestheic learners - do something

17. Summing up • Engage audience in an outcome • Give audience a message to take away

18. Rehearse • Try it out with friends • Encourage questions • Be alert to body language • Remain calm • Jump about

19. Key actions • Define your objective • Understand your audience • Decide what to say • Get organised • Develop visual aids/props/tools • Rehearse

20. Do it! • Think about the next day • It is all about the project • Speak effectively • Be confident • Engage the audience • Use the experience to prepare for next time • Enjoy - celebrate

21. The Panel • The aim of the Confirmation of Candidature process is to evaluate the capacity of the candidate to complete a PhD, and to assess that the proposed research program is suitable for a PhD. • Evaluates the quality of the candidate • Evaluates the quality of the proposed research. • Aim is to prevent problems from occurring, not to attack the candidate or the research. • Panel members consist of: • Principal Supervisor, • Head of School or their nominee, • Faculty representative. • May be others.

22. Recommendation of the Panel • the research program is of the standard required for the PhD program yes/no/not yet • enrolment be confirmed as the progress is satisfactory • the candidate transfer into the PhD program • the candidate be placed ‘Under Review’ until _________________(The Review Period conditions are attached) • PhD enrolment be terminated as progress continues to be unsatisfactory (only if the candidate’s Review Period has expired) • the candidate be accepted for enrolment in a Masters (Research) • Credit on Transfer/Articulation (Approved Equivalent Full time semesters _______________)