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Policy changes and information handbook
    		  

    Doctoral and MPhil Handbook

    Policy changes

    Supervision (Chapter 5)

    Revised policy approved by Research Graduate School Committee at Meeting 10/2004 (12 November 2004).

    Revised policy (the following changes have been incorporated into chapter 5)

    5.1.3 Supervision load of primary supervisor

    It is recognised that different supervision levels may be appropriate for different stages of a staff member's academic career. Accredited supervisors will normally not supervise more than four full-time equivalent HDR students (or up to six individual students) until they have achieved one successful HDR thesis completion as a main or sole supervisor and have completed any advanced supervision training programs as may be required.

    5.1.4 Supervision performance

    In a very small number of cases, concerns may be raised in relation to the quality of supervision. These may range from general issues of perceived poor supervision to alleged serious breaches of the 'Code of practice for the supervision of doctoral and research masters candidates'. These concerns may come from a range of different sources, including the student, the head of department or theMonash Research Graduate School itself.

    Such cases would normally be advised to the relevant faculty dean and appropriate action may be taken, in accordance with the 'Code of practice for the supervision of doctoral and research masters candidates' and/or the Monash University Enterprise Agreement.

    In some instances, Monash Research Graduate School may regard the concerns to be serious enough to warrant there being a reduction of, or limitation on, the number of students a supervisor can supervise for a period of time until the concerns have been rectified. A Research Graduate School Committee review panel or similarly constituted panel may recommend to the Research Graduate School Committee that a limit be placed on an academic staff member's research supervision level for a period of time deemed appropriate.

    Research supervisors subject to a reduction or limitation on the level of students supervised should be provided with a range of services.

    5.2 Code of practice for supervision of doctoral and research masters candidates

    5.2.2.3 Teaching load for academic staff

    • the supervision of higher degree by research (HDR) students is appropriately identified in staff engagement profiles which manage the overall workloads for academic staff.

    5.2.2.4 Workload of supervisors

    • an accredited supervisor will normally not supervise more than four full-time equivalent HDR students (or up to six individual students) until he/she has achieved one successful HDR completion as a main supervisor and has completed any advanced training programs as required
    • in cases of poor supervision performance or serious violation of this code and on the advice of the Research Graduate School Committee, additional limits will be placed on the supervision level of an academic staff member, for a period of time deemed appropriate

    5.2.2.9 Human and physical resources

    Research postgraduates are encouraged to make submissions regarding the provision of adequate human and physical resources within their department. There is provision of a research environment which is sensitive to cultural diversities and also to the special needs of students with disabilities. Students are advised that:

    • the university's minimum facilities for full-time on-campus students guidelines are met, namely:
    • furnished office/studio space, normally with 24-hour access
    • mail box and secure storage space
    • appropriate level of access to photocopying, printing and computer facilities, including software and internet access
    • access to unlimited local and internal telephone and facsimile calls for work purposes, and
    • access to international calls as determined by academic unit.

    5.2.3.4 Employment

    The main supervisor must be satisfied that:

    • part-time work undertaken by a full-time candidate will not interfere with the progress of the research program, before the supervisor may approve such part-time work
    • full or substantially full-time employment undertaken by a part-time student meets with the conditions of part-time candidature, including a period of on-campus residency.

    5.2.3.8 Ethics and safety clearances

    • the candidate and supervisor meet all clearance requirements with respect to ethics in research on humans, animal experimentation, hazardous materials and biosafety.

    5.2.3.15 Thesis preparation and presentation

    • the candidate has not presented in or in support of the thesis work the candidate has previously presented for an award at Monash or elsewhere

    5.2.4.9 Employment

    • before accepting employment, consult with and gain approval of the main supervisor to ensure such work does not unduly impede the research work and that it meets the university's employment guidelines for HDR students.

    5.2.4.12 Examination

    • prepare the thesis for examination, including arrangements for its typing, proof reading, and binding after consulting with the supervisor, as appropriate, regarding matters of style and presentation
    • ensure the research and writing embodied in the thesis are that of the candidate except where due reference is made to the text
    • do not present in or in support of the thesis work the candidate has previously presented for an award at Monash or elsewhere
    • acknowledge and describe any assistance provided during the research phase or any editorial assistance in the writing of the thesis
    • where the thesis is based on conjointly published or unpublished work, state both the percentage (extent) and nature of the contribution of the candidate and other authors.

    5.2.5.2 Participation of candidate in submission of grant or funding application

    • require candidates and their supervisors to ensure a student's involvement in preparation of a grant application does not impede progress in the research degree
    • require candidates to be: 
    • informed of the progress of the grant application, and in the event that such an application is successful;
    • involved in negotiations which may include for example, continued participation in a project where a chief investigator relocates elsewhere; and
    • informed of all key decisions with respect to the discharge of the obligations of a successful grant application.