Introduction to PhD Code of Practice Jo FerrieInterim Director Graduate Training September 2013

Overview Identify and highlight the main features of the governing code of practice for PhD research

Key Documents University Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Degrees eresearch/pgrcodeofpractice/ eresearch/pgrcodeofpractice/

Purpose and Structure of Guidelines Provide guidance and practical advice for students and supervisors

Main themes covered Section 1: Introduction Section 2: Admissions Section 3: Registration Section 4: Student Records Management Section 5: Supervision Section 6: Training and Development Section 7: Research Progress Section 8: Submission and Final Examination Section 9: Publications Arising from Research Section 10: Feedback and Review of Experience Section 11: Roles and Responsibilities at a Glance Section 12: Sources of Further Information

The Management of Study From the outset of study Subject level responsibilities: - 2 supervisors - provision of necessary facilities - department/subject level PGR convenor - management of annual progress reviews Supervisor responsibilities - close contact in year 1 and clear framework for meetings - well defined research topic - continuous supervision - clear work programme

Supervisors should: Guide on the nature and parameters of the research topic Define the topic appropriate to the given timetable and resources available Clarify the standard of work required for the given degree attempted Clarify, if appropriate, additional skills required e.g. language etc. Mutually agree timetable for supervision meetings Advise on the construction of a personal development plan Ensure student familiarity with University regulations and, under disciplinary headings, what constitutes unreasonable behaviour

Graduate students should: Discuss with their supervisors the type of guidance and comment they find helpful Keep on the agreed schedule of meetings and other deadlines Take the initiative in raising problems or difficulties Secure ethical approval for research involving human participants, human data or material Devise a personal development plan

Continuing Supervision and Research Once research is underway supervisors and students have continuing responsibilities through regular contact to maintain research momentum. Again, this can be divided into 1.Supervisor responsibilities 2.Student responsibilities

Supervisor Responsibilities Maintain regular and frequent contact with the student (monthly) Arrange student participation in relevant research activities within the home department and in the broader (relevant) research community Request written work on a regular basis and to return it with constructive comment To advise on alternative supervision if required due to extended leave of absence etc To advise on publishing of student output

Student Responsibilities Maintain regular contact with the supervisory team Maintain the progress of the work in agreement with the plan established with the supervisory team To carry out research skills and other subject specific training as required by supervisors Back up regularly and securely all computer held work Maintain and update their PDP Be familiar with all relevant University regulations and policies Agree all periods of leave with supervisors

Reasons to Contact Grad School for Social Sciences Issues that need College-level approval –Change of supervisor or appointment of additional supervisor –Change of research topic –Request for research furth of Glasgow –Requests for suspension of study and extension of writing up periods beyond a year (nb max 2 years of writing up in total) –Requests for reductions in the required period of study –Request to appoint examiners

Monitoring of Student Progress Record should be kept by both supervisors and students relating to work completed, formal meetings etc Subject area practice may involve presentations and research proposals Subject area sub-committees to monitor progress and to try to identify and help rectify unsatisfactory progress. Possible outcomes. Faculty annual monitoring of student progress (May-June) and 6 monthly for ESRC/council

Resolving Difficulties & Student Representation Cannot always be resolved by the two parties Department/subject level PGR convenor School PGR Director Head of Subject Area Dean of Graduate School Establishment of subject level staff-student liaison committees

Thesis Submission Process Priority issue for the University to ensure timely submission both for the student and for awarding bodies FT target is 70% submitting within 4 years and 85% in 5 years A PhD word limit should be in the order of ,000 words Oral exam process – one internal and one external plus convenor Recommendations post viva

Reading & Understanding the Code of Practice ?id=2019http://lbss.moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php ?id=2019 Graduate School/ Scholarships & General Information/

Reading & Understanding the Code of Practice

Scottish Graduate School