Graduate Centre

Responsibilities of Postgraduate Research Candidates

“Supervisor” means “principal supervisor” if there is more than one supervisor.
"Board" means "Research and Development Board".

The responsibilities of the candidate include:

Ethics and close personal relationships

Murdoch University has published a public statement of the ethical principles, values and behaviour expected of all members of the Murdoch community (http://www.murdoch.edu.au/vco/secretariat/admin/codes/ethics.html#conduct).
This Code of Ethics and Conduct provides guidance on the standards of conduct and integrity expected of all members of the Murdoch community. The Code of Ethics and Conduct is based on the principles of justice, respect for others and responsible care. It provides guidance on academic freedom, acceptance of gifts or benefits, close personal relationships, confidentiality, conflict of interest and other matters.

For a supervisor to have a sexual relationship with a postgraduate research student to whom he or she has a duty of care is likely to involve serious difficulties arising from the power disparity in the supervisor-student relationship. Where a sexual relationship exists or has recently existed between a postgraduate research student and his or her supervisor, the supervisor must immediately remove himself or herself from any position as a supervisor of this student. The postgraduate research student should avoid developing a sexual relationship with a supervisor, and if one develops, request a change of supervisor through the Graduate Centre.

Regulations and Policies
Becoming familiar with the regulations for the degree in which the student is enrolled, the Code of Conduct for Research, the Code of Practice for Supervision, the Responsibilities of Candidates, the Guidelines on Joint Authorship, the Protocols for Research Relationships with External Agencies, and the other policies of the Board, available on the website http://wwwadmin.murdoch.edu.au/research/gradcentre/index.htm.

Preliminary Discussions
Initiating and holding frequent and adequate discussions with the supervisors on the research programme. The Research Degree regulations state that supervisors and candidates are jointly responsible for initiating such discussions. The Board has directed that there should be contact between the supervisor and the candidate at least once each month even if a formal meeting is not always possible.
Discussions at commencement of candidature to clarify the candidate's and the supervisors’ expectations of supervision. On the basis of this discussion the supervisor and candidate should establish, preferably in writing, guidelines and expectations pertaining to:
- Frequency and initiation of contact (not less than once a month)
- monitoring, evaluation and reporting of progress,
- provision of necessary material resources,
- orientation, learning support, and training courses/programmes, as required,
- strategies for contact with other researchers in related areas, and
- authorship, should publications arise from the research programme
- reasonable expectations of time required to provide written feedback on work,
- exchange of ideas and constructive criticism
- Human and animal ethics requirements (If applicable)
- Intellectual Property and confidentiality (If applicable)
- Chemical and Radiation safety (If applicable)
In the case of shared supervisory arrangements, this discussion should involve all supervisors and the candidate.
Proposing and discussing with the supervisors at the commencement of candidature the aims, scope and presentation of the thesis, and arranging any orientation or supplementary training necessary for the research project, including the Generic Skills Programme and Faculty training programmes.

Beginning Candidature
Negotiating with the supervisors at the commencement of candidature, a suitable agreement on any publication or joint publication likely to arise during or after the research project, to ensure appropriate and adequate recognition of the candidate’s and the supervisor’s contribution to the publication, and discussing the requirement to complete a statement of authorship and location of data form.
Discussing with the supervisors, and subsequently adopting, safe working practices relevant to the field of research, the ethical practices appropriate to the discipline (including Human Research/Animal Ethics Committee application(s), requirements regarding the retention of data, and discussing the University’s Policy relating to Intellectual Property in relation to the research, and the rights and responsibilities of the supervisor and student including equity issues.
If the research is funded by a contractual arrangement, discussing with the supervisors any particular contracts or conditions which could either restrict disclosure or affect the extent to which communication with colleagues is possible during the research and on its completion. When restrictions upon disclosure exist, the discussion should culminate with a written agreement on the conditions of disclosure, prepared in conjunction with the Industry Liaison Officer, in the Division of R&D.
Discussing with the supervisors, in the first semester of enrolment, any needs for English language assistance and where to obtain appropriate assistance.
The Research
Prepare a research plan, research timetable and milestones as the basis for a Programme of Study for submission to the Board for approval within the appropriate timeframe for the candidate’s enrolment.
If a full-time candidate, devoting at least 37.5 hours per week on average to the research programme, with the exceptions of approved recreation leave and any time permitted by University regulations for part-time teaching or other employment. If a part-time candidate, devoting at least fifteen hours per week on average to the research programme.
Reporting to the Board any significant change in other commitments likely to affect the progress of the research programme.
Ensuring active engagement in the research programme consistent with the Programme of Study, including any amendments to it agreed in discussions with the supervisor and recorded in the Annual Progress Report.

Progress
Maintaining progress and taking the initiative in raising issues requiring resolution, ensuring that any significant decisions about the research programme made in conversation between the supervisors and the candidate, or any significant variations to agreed expectations and guidelines, are confirmed in writing and a copy given to the supervisors, and to any other supervisor, and noted in the Annual Progress Report.
Active participation in the intellectual activity of the department/programme through activities such as presentations at School or Faculty seminars.
Submitting written work to the supervisors in accordance with a pre-arranged and agreed schedule, preparing drafts of the thesis and responding to written comments within a mutually agreed period and responding to the comments of the supervisor on drafts of the thesis.
Submitting to the supervisors each year an Annual Report of progress with the research programme, noting any significant achievements, difficulties and problems discussed with the supervisors, including inadequate progress, achievement of milestones and the action taken or advice given.
Negotiating with the supervisor and Board about any proposed extended leave during the candidature
Where significant differences develop between the student and supervisors that cannot be resolved by mutual agreement, bringing this to the attention of the Senior Academic in the discipline, Faculty Postgraduate Coordinator, the Manager of the Graduate Centre, the Dean of Graduate Studies, or another suitable person in a position to assist with resolving the issue.

Writing Up
Submitting to the Graduate Centre the final title of the thesis, with an abstract of approximately 300 words describing its content, at least two months before submitting the thesis for examination.
Producing the final copies of the thesis, and ensuring that its content and standard of presentation is in accordance with University requirements.

This page was last updated on Friday, October 23, 2009 10:30