Higher Degrees by Research Orientation Briefing By Dr Koh Chong Lek Sub-Dean, Higher Degrees (Research) Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Learning 5 August 2013

Dr Koh Chong Lek Sub-Dean Higher Degrees (Research) GPL, NIE, NTU

Higher degree students in NIE Higher degree students in NIE as of August 2013*: 1,793 Masters by ResearchMA and MSc56 Masters by Coursework MA and MSc553 M Ed836 MEA (International) 54 Master of Teaching23 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)204 Doctor in Education (EdD Dual Award with the Institute of Education, University of London) 15 NIE Doctor in Education52 Aug 2013 intake: 185 * Includes August 2013 Research & Coursework intakes (as of July 2013) PhD: 12 MA/MSc: 11

Outline of the briefing Basic info on admin, exam matters Student handbook Academic progress checklist Student-supervisor relationship Code of conduct Academic/ research integrity Ethics clearance Approval from DAC, MOE Tips

Head Deputy Head HDR Coordinator GSO, NTU TAC OAAS Graduate Studies & Professional Learning Office of Academic Administration and Services CeL Libris SSC

GPL: Dean Prof Paul Teng Associate Dean (HD) Prof Christine Goh Sub-Dean [HD (R)] Dr Koh Chong Lek Chang-Tan Wey Ling (Head/GPL Admin & SM) Cindi Chiam LH (PM) Sharon Low (PM) Noor Azizah Bte Mokhtar (SPE) Joanne Lee SY (PE) Nurhasni Binte Khamis (PE) GPL (Level 3, Block 7)

Important contacts Contact point Matters Office of Academic Administration & Services (OAAS) Course related: - Course registration - Course withdrawal - Course accreditation/exemption OAAS Student records Student Services Centre Blk 3b, NIE Student Hub (Level 1) General services IT and Infra Services Hub Blk 3b, NIE Student Hub (Level 1) Computer-related enquires

Contact point Academic areas GPL Office Higher degree academic matters Supervisor Course Coordinator Supervision and other academic issues Coursework matters Important contacts

Information sources Information source Areas NIE website General NIE matters General programme information NIE Portal Announcements Student Handbook Downloadable forms Updating of your addresses and phone numbers Blackboard (GeNIEus, the e-learning platform in NIE) Information and learning materials for individual courses

Student Handbook on Higher Degree Programmes by Research Go to (Tab)  NIE Portal  Guides and Policies  Handbooks  Graduate Programmes  Student Handbook (Higher Degree by Research) Student handbook

Important procedural matters Leave of AbsenceCourse RegistrationOnline Add/Drop & Confirmation/ConversionCourse DefermentProgramme/Course WithdrawalExtension of Candidature

Examination matters Grade Point Average (GPA) System Letter grade Grade point A5.00 B3.50 B-B C+2.50 F0.00 Examples :

 Term Grade Point Average (TGPA): an average of all courses in any term of study  Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA): an average of all courses up to the time of calculation of the GPA Minimum TGPA/ CGPA: 3.00 (B - ) Masters 3.50 (B) PhD Examination matters

Pass CF/CV exercise Submit thesis for examination Pass PhD oral exam Fulfill course requirements CF = confirmation, CV = conversion A research student’s progress path

Fulfill course requirements PhD Masters by Research Complete four graduate level courses with (i)an overall average Grade B (ii)all courses C + and above Complete three graduate level courses with (i)an overall average Grade B - (ii)all courses C + and above Submit an in-depth literature review Achieve minimum CGPA of 3.50 (B) Achieve minimum CGPA of 3.00 (B - )

Poor academic performance in coursework TGPA below the required grade point: Academic reminder TGPA below the required grade point for two consecutive terms of study: Termination Fulfill course requirements

Pass confirmation/conversion exercise PhDMasters by Research Submit CF/CV report on research work within stipulated timeframe Submit confirmation report on research work within stipulated timeframe Student’s progress will be reviewed for CF/CV of PhD candidature Student’s progress will be reviewed for confirmation of Masters candidature Complete and pass the CF/CV Seminar Complete and pass the Confirmation Seminar Note:If a student fails to pass at any of the above stages, he/she will have to withdraw from the programme. CF = confirmation, CV = conversion

Examinations PhDMasters by Research Submit thesis for examination Oral Examination (Viva) for PhD

Academic progress Prepare annual reports Prepare CF/CV document Initiate CF/CV Give CF/CV seminar Form TAC Write thesis Notify thesis submission Submit thesis/plagiarism check Revise thesis PhD oral exam Revise thesis Bind thesis Submit thesis Many important details & deadlines to remember Matriculate Take courses Read Do CF = confirmation, CV = conversion Be proactive & responsible

An important web page to look for information and forms Go to (Tab)  NIE Portal  Academics  Graduate Programmeshttp:// Important web page

Academic progress checklist Please diligently fill up this “Checklist” throughout your higher degree research candidature Keep a “Record of Meetings/Discussions with Supervisor & Co-supervisor” Initial Target Setting Report for New Masters/PhD Student – please complete & submit it to GPL within ONE MONTH of registration

Student-supervisor (co-supervisor) relationship Supervisor, mentor, friend A lengthy personal & professional relationship Includes  selecting a research topic  planning the research  identifying and acquiring the necessary resources  managing the project  actively conducting the research  carrying out the literature review  analysing and interpreting data  writing the thesis  defending it  publication of the thesis  writing a reference letter, helping to find a position

Student-supervisor (co-supervisor) relationship Supervisor, mentor, friend A lengthy personal & professional relationship Independence

TAC To provide critical guidance to PhD students during their candidature at NTU To monitor student progress and provide timely advice for every PhD student PhD – Thesis Advisory Committee

HDR students’ personal code of conduct Excellence Academic/Resea rch Integrity Quality

Academic integrity/dishonesty Submission of the work of another person as your own or reproduction of ideas or statements of another person without acknowledgement Plagiarism Copying another student’s work with or without their knowledge Collusion Allowing another student to practise collusion Complicity Also known as “double dipping” - submitting a whole paper previously submitted to satisfy the requirements for another course or a substantial portion of it to fulfill a course requirement. Self- Plagiarism Use Turnitin, anti-plagiarism software

Do not commit acts of academic dishonesty. Such acts constitute serious academic misconduct. You will be subject to strong disciplinary actions. NIE Portal → Academics → Graduate Programmes → NIE Academic Integrity Framework NIE Academic Integrity Framework E-briefing on Plagiarism and Referencing Academic dishonesty Academic integrity/dishonesty

Ethics clearance If research involves human subjects, must apply for ethics review & approval from NTU IRB Must NOT start data-collection before given ethics clearance Plan and apply for ethics clearance early! (Discuss this with your supervisor) NTU IRB (Institutional Review Board) guidelines and forms available on the IRB website: *Requires log in

Approval fromDAC, MOE Approval from DAC, MOE To collect data from schools, must apply for approval from Data Administration Centre, MOE Plan and apply for approval early! (Discuss this with your supervisor)

HWG702 HWG702 University Teaching for Teaching Assistants Full-time PhD students required to take up and pass HWG702 before confirmation (Those with relevant teaching experience may apply for exemption)

Tips for succeeding as an HDR 1Plan ahead, manage your time and keep records 2Take responsibility for your own learning and progress, and manage flagging 3Ask those close to you for support and approach them for help when necessary 4Familiarise yourself with important procedures 5Interact with your supervisor and understand each other’s expectations

Tips for succeeding as an HDR 6Co-operate with other students for mutual help and support 7Take responsibility for your own learning and progress, and manage flagging 8Develop skills for creative and critical thinking 9Develop good academic writing, discussion and presentation skills 10Make good use of resources from the Library and Information Services in NIE

Recognizing research by HDR students Dean’s Commendation for Research Recognizes excellence in research amongst NIE HDR students Nomination: a publication based on your approved research in NIE (in an international refereed journal or a refereed chapter in the book of a leading international publisher)

Briefings/Talks GPL’s talks/briefings NIE Graduate Student Day PhD oral examination Please attend Interact

MAMScPhD