Staff + Student LoginThe Research Plan
The Research Plan
Research Support
Confirmation of Candidacy PhD
Review of the Plan
Flowchart from conditional to full enrolment
The Research Plan
The research plan forms the basis of the research project and the subsequent work leading up to the preparation of the thesis. Its development should be a major part of the early work of the candidate (usually about 6 months full-time or 12 months part-time for doctoral study and 1 month or two months for MPhil) and have the proactive support of the supervisor(s).
A well prepared research plan generally increases the likelihood of timely completion of the degree.
Guidelines for preparing a full research plan
The full research plan, submitted to the Postgraduate Studies Committee with a completed Application for Confirmation of Enrolment form, should contain the following minimum components:
- Working title
- Statement of research
- Outline of significance of topic (e.g. its importance for advancing knowledge in the field/discipline or regions and/or implications for methodology or understanding)
- Literature review in a form consistent with practices of the discipline
- Statement of the research questions or hypotheses
- The methodologies that will be used to investigate the questions or hypotheses
- Forms of analysis
- Thesis outline
- Resource requirements and timing of availability where appropriate
- Timetable for the total project and thesis writing, including dates when key objectives should be met
- A statement concerning the requirement for any ethical approvals and a full copy of any ethical approval application and of the ethical consent where appropriate
Schedule of work
When preparing the full research plan and also when revising the plan, candidates are required to prepare, in collaboration with the chief supervisor, a schedule of work for the forthcoming period. This schedule will include details of:
- the work to be undertaken
- resources needed
- review of ethical approval status
- a timetable of supervision with dates and times of formal meetings
Consideration should also be given at this time during development of the plan, to implications for intellectual property and confidentiality matters which might lead to a request to embargo the thesis.
Research Support
Availability of resources
Faculties/Schools/departments should have available to candidates in handbooks or other written form, policies on and availability of the following:
- space and furniture
- equipment
- internet and email access
- computing facilities
- travel and fieldwork
- office supplies
- statistical consultancy and packages
Academic Support
The main sources of academic support are supervisor(s) and department/Faculty/School staff. Student Learning Support also offers advice, has a small library of appropriate reference books for loan and also holds workshops on getting started in research.
These workshops are held at the beginning or end of the academic year, or for departments or groups of students on request and cover:
- help with the process of identifying and clarifying research questions
- assistance with the preparation of a research proposal, literature review, abstract, conference paper or presentation
- advice on establishing and maintaining a good working relationship with supervisors
- help with many aspects of research writing
- help to overcome blocks to writing.
The Postgraduate Studies and Scholarships Office and the University Library also hold copies of a CD about Supervision Workshops compiled for Postgraduate candidates by Professor Sue Middleton of the University's School of Education.
Confirmation Of Candidacy (PhD ONLY)
When the Full Research Plan has been completed, within six months (full-time) and one year (part-time), candidates are required to apply for confirmed enrolment using the Application for Confirmed Enrolment form. The form, along with the full research plan and any supporting documents, such as ethical approval, is endorsed by the chief supervisor, the chairperson of department and the Faculty/School Dean's nominee for postgraduate studies before being passed to the Postgraduate Studies Committee for approval.
The Postgraduate Studies Committee will recommend one of the following options:
(a) that the candidate proceed to confirmed enrolment because satisfactory progress has been made and
the candidate has demonstrated sufficient ability to proceed.
(b) that the period of conditional enrolment be extended by six months because the candidate has
demonstrated the ability to undertake PhD study but sufficient progress has not yet been made.
(c) that a review of the candidate's options be undertaken because the candidate has not demonstrated
sufficient ability to undertake PhD study. A report on the review process, with recommendations, is
either enclosed or is to be provided by a stated date.
(d) transfer to the MPhil or MEd degree as appropriate.
When making his/her report on the prescribed Application for Confirmed Enrolment form, the chief supervisor will indicate whether the research proposal is complete and the level of competence demonstrated in the following broad areas if appropriate for the discipline or field of enquiry:
- technical and language skills
- conceptual or theoretical knowledge of the field of study
- ability to evaluate literature critically
- ability to design appropriate methods of investigation
- ability to develop and present coherent arguments
- ability to focus on the research topic.
In areas where the candidate is weak, the supervisor(s) should indicate what is required to raise the candidate's performance to an adequate level.
The candidate should see and countersign the chief supervisor's report in the box provided on the form and may add comments if he/she wishes.
The report should be endorsed by the chairperson of department and the Dean's nominee for postgraduate studies and forwarded to the Postgraduate Studies Office.
Review Of The Plan
Following confirmation of enrolment, this plan should be reviewed, in a meeting between the candidate and supervisor(s) at the end of each six-monthly period (when the six monthly progress reports are due) and updated as necessary. Copies of all versions of the research plan should be retained by the chief supervisor and the student.
Flowchart From Conditional To Full Enrolment
