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Confirmation of Candidature, Student Participation Agreement form and Human Research Ethics Information

Recent policy and procedure amendments are the immediate removal of the 'Research Proposal' requirement two months after commencement of candidature to all HDR candidates that commenced from Semester 2 2008 onwards.

Effective from Semester 2 2009 Confirmation of Candidature remains applicable, please refer to the instructions below.

Confirmation of Candidature requires the candidate to satisfy a panel that adequate progress is being made in the degree to justify continuation of candidature. This must involve an oral presentation to the panel and a full written proposal of the proposed research using the College of Science, Engineering and Health Confirmation of Candidature form (Word 198KB).

Written material must be delivered to the School Research Administrator at least one week before the time of the oral presentation, for immediate distribution to the panel to read before the presentation.

Timelines/Presentation panels

  • for Master by research candidates, confirmation must be within 6 months of the start date closest to commencement, or part time equivalent. The panel shall consists of a minimum of the senior supervisor and the School Higher Degrees by Research Coordinator (or nominee), who shall be the Chair.
  • for PhD candidates, confirmation must be within 12 months of the start date and closets to commencement, or part time equivalent. The panel shall consists of a minimum of the senior supervisor, two further academic staff members, if possible a member external to RMIT University, and the School Higher Degrees by Research Coordinator (or nominee), who shall be the Chair.

Criteria for Confirmation

Confirmation will be approved on the demonstration (at a level appropriate to the degree and the length of candidature) of satisfactory progress in each of the following:

a. planning of the research program

Evidence will be a full written proposal of the research program.

b. critical review of the relevant literature

Evidence will be fully referenced written material indicating progress in the literature review for the thesis.

c. practical conduct of the research

Evidence will be the presentation of research achievements to date

d. presentation and defence of the research program and its progress in an oral presentation.

Evidence will be the content and delivery of the presentation and responses to questions that follow

Recommendations

Following the presentation, the panel shall meet and agree on a recommendation to the School.

  • Recommendation to confirm candidature: The School HDR Coordinator shall approve confirmation if so recommended by the panel.
  • Recommendation to deny confirmation of candidature: the candidate will be required to re-present material to satisfy the panel within one month. If that material is not presented or is again deemed to be unsatisfactory, the candidate shall be placed ‘At risk’.

The School of Graduate Research will remind you via your student email account that your research proposal and/or confirmation of candidature is due. Your School will be responsible for setting up the panel to which you will present for confirmation of candidature.

If you have any questions about this process you should contact your School Research Administrator.

Student Participation Agreement Form

Some Research projects may require completion of an Intellectual Property agreement (PDF, 22KB, 5p) perhaps involving outside bodies and the University. Please check with your Supervisor(s) and/or School’s Higher Degrees by Research Coordinator whether this will apply to your research. If it does apply, kindly request your supervisor to arrange a meeting for you with the College Business Development Manager to get the form approved. This is a standard form provided to all students.

Human Research Ethics informa.