Skip to content | Change text size
Policy changes and information handbook
    		  

    Doctoral and MPhil Handbook

    Policy changes

    Code of practice for supervision of doctoral and research masters candidates (Chapter 5.2)

    Revised policy approved by Research Graduate School Committee at Meeting 5/2005 (3 June 2005).

    Former policy

    5.2.1.2 Supervisors

    • all supervisors are aware of the necessity to implement the university's code of practice for the conduct of research and are aware of the working procedures of the ethics committee
    • adequate provision is made for staff development of supervisors and potential supervisors.

    5.2.2.2 Supervision arrangements

    • the proposed supervisor is sufficiently expert and interested in the area of research to offer the candidate proper supervision
    • the proposed supervisor has sufficient experience in recent supervision or has undergone professional development in this area, or an associate supervisor is appointed with such experience
    • the proposed supervisor is not a candidate for a research degree.

    5.2.2.7 Provision of information on requirements and procedures

    The appropriate academic unit (faculty or department) should ensure that written information is produced and distributed to all postgraduate research candidates with details on requirements and procedures relating to all postgraduate matters administered at departmental level including:

    • a statement on the facilities and resources available to research postgraduates within the department and within the university (for example the library, computing and technical facilities, word-processing training, statistical advice and English language tuition)
    • a list of staff and research candidates and their areas of interest, to assist candidates in their selection of a supervisor
    • university-wide guidelines on authorship and intellectual property and the procedures for monitoring them within the department
    • departmental/faculty/Monash Research Graduate School policy on the timing and mode of presentation of annual progress reports by which a candidate's progress is assessed
    • departmental/faculty procedures for the timing and mode of confirmation of candidature
    • grievance procedures, whereby candidates may make representation to the head of department, appropriate officer and/or departmental/faculty committee or university committee, if they believe that their work is not proceeding satisfactorily for reasons outside their control, especially in situations involving the problems of supervision or unresolved conflicts between candidates and supervisors.

    5.2.3.7 Responsible research practice and ethics

    • the candidate and supervisor are aware of the 'Guidelines for responsible practice in research' and the 'Problems of research misconduct' published in the Research and Research Training Operational Manual, in particular of the need to follow ethical practices appropriate to the particular discipline and relevant profession, and as specified by the relevant university committees and the ethics guidelines set by any relevant funding body
    • external mode and other candidates who are undertaking research as part of a joint project with a commercial or industrial partner observe both the ethics guidelines and occupational health and safety requirements of Monash and the other institution(s).

    5.2.4.1 Regulations and guidelines

    • be familiar with and adhere to the appropriate degree and departmental guidelines and other written information pertaining to research postgraduate work.

    5.2.4.5 Adherence to ethical practices

    • adhere to research practices laid down in the ‘Guidelines for responsible practice in research' and the 'Problems of research misconduct' published in the Research and Research Training Operational Manual (see chapter 11 for related links)
    • follow ethical practices appropriate to the particular discipline and relevant profession, and as specified by the university's Standing Committee on Ethics in Research on Humans, Animal Experimentation and Biosafety and the ethics guidelines set by any relevant funding body
    • where undertaking research as part of a joint project with a commercial or industrial partner, observe both the ethics guidelines and occupational health and safety requirements of the other institution(s)
    • prior to disseminating the results of the research by publication or other means consult with, and obtain agreement of, the supervisor.

    5.2.4.7 Meetings/communications with supervisor(s)

    • initiate discussions or communications with the supervisor and any associate supervisor(s) on the type of guidance and comment considered most helpful, and agree to a schedule of meetings which will ensure regular contact.

    5.2.4.8 Meetings/communications with supervisor(s) in the case of external candidature

    • negotiate with the supervisor an effective means of routine and rapid communication and a schedule of on-campus or equivalent research that ensures the candidate is able to participate in the intellectual life of the department.

    Revised policy (changes have been highlighted in italics)

    5.2.1.2 Supervisors

    • all supervisors are aware of the necessity to implement the university's code of practice for the conduct of research and are aware of the working procedures of the ethics committees
    • adequate provision is made for staff development of supervisors and potential supervisors
    • when the supervisor is no longer authorised, or able to continue in the role, the relevant academic unit must initiate procedures to identify and appoint a suitable replacement.

    5.2.2.2 Supervision arrangements

    • the proposed supervisor is sufficiently expert and interested in the area of research to offer the candidate proper supervision
    • the proposed supervisor has sufficient experience in recent supervision or has undergone professional development in this area, or an associate supervisor is appointed with such experience
    • the proposed supervisor is not a candidate for a research degree
    • when a supervisor is no longer authorised, or able, to continue in the role the head must formally advise the candidate within 10 working days and initiate procedures to identify and appoint a suitable replacement in consultation with the candidate.

    5.2.2.7 Provision of information on requirements and procedures

    The appropriate academic unit (faculty or department) should ensure that written information is produced and distributed to all postgraduate research candidates with details on requirements and procedures relating to all postgraduate matters administered at departmental level including:

    • a statement on the facilities and resources available to research postgraduates within the department and within the university (for example the library, computing and technical facilities, word-processing training, statistical advice and English language tuition)
    • a list of staff and research candidates and their areas of interest, to assist candidates in their selection of a supervisor
    • university-wide guidelines on authorship and intellectual property and the procedures for monitoring them within the department
    • departmental/faculty/Monash Research Graduate School policy on the timing and mode of presentation of annual progress reports by which a candidate's progress is assessed
    • departmental/faculty procedures for the timing and mode of confirmation of candidature
    • grievance procedures, whereby candidates may make representation to the head of department, appropriate officer and/or departmental/faculty committee or university committee, if they believe that their work is not proceeding satisfactorily for reasons outside their control, especially in situations involving the problems of supervision or unresolved conflicts between candidates and supervisors.
    • a statement on safe storage and retention of the candidate's research data for a period of not less than 5 years after acceptance of the thesis, and provision of facilities for same.

    5.2.3.7 Responsible research practice and ethics

    • the candidate and supervisor are aware of the ‘Code of Conduct for the Responsible Practice of Research' and 'Procedures for dealing with Allegations of Research Misconduct' published in the Research and Research Training Operational Manual, in particular of the need to follow ethical practices appropriate to the particular discipline and relevant profession, and as specified by the relevant university committees and the ethics guidelines set by any relevant funding body
    • external mode and other candidates who are undertaking research as part of a joint project with a commercial or industrial partner observe both the ethics guidelines and occupational health and safety requirements of Monash and the other institution(s).

    5.2.3.18 Absence of the Supervisor

    • the supervisor must notify the candidate of intention to go on leave for a period of two weeks or longer.
    • if the period of leave is longer than 6 weeks then an acting supervisor must be nominated.

    5.2.4.1 Regulations and guidelines

    • be familiar with and adhere to the appropriate degree and departmental guidelines and other written information pertaining to research postgraduate work.
    • devote a minimum of the equivalent of 4 working days to their research each week if full-time and a minimum of 2 working days to their research each week if part-time.

    5.2.4.5 Adherence to ethical practices

    • adhere to research practices laid down in the ‘Code of Conduct for the Responsible Practice of Research' and 'Procedures for dealing with Allegations of Research Misconduct' published in the Research and Research Training Operational Manual (see chapter 11 for related links)
    • follow ethical practices appropriate to the particular discipline and relevant profession, and as specified by the university's Standing Committee on Ethics in Research on Humans, Animal Experimentation and Biosafety and the ethics guidelines set by any relevant funding body
    • where undertaking research as part of a joint project with a commercial or industrial partner, observe both the ethics guidelines and occupational health and safety requirements of the other institution(s)
    • prior to disseminating the results of the research by publication or other means consult with, and obtain agreement of, the supervisor.

    5.2.4.7 Meetings/communications with supervisor(s)

    • initiate discussions or communications with the supervisor and any associate supervisor(s) on the type of guidance and comment considered most helpful, and agree to a schedule of meetings which will ensure regular contact.
    • notify supervisors of any planned leave or any unexpected absences from the department.
    • negotiate any planned leave with the supervisor and notify the supervisor when intending to leave the country.

    5.2.4.8 Meetings/communications with supervisor(s) in the case of external candidature

    • negotiate with the supervisor an effective means of routine and rapid communication and a schedule of on-campus attendance or equivalent research activities, such as attendance at a conference when the supervisor is also present, thus ensuring that the candidate is able to participate in and contribute to the intellectual life of the department.