1. Thesis Examination PRE-THESIS SUBMISSION CHECK LIST Professor Judith Bessant (Chair – Research Training Sub-Committee) Prepared from notes presented at the SET Supervisor Training session May ???, 2008

2. RMIT UniversitySlide 2 WHAT EXAMINERS LOOK FOR

3. RMIT UniversitySlide 3 1.Does the thesis have a clear research question (or argument)? Are the questions addressed in the thesis? (This determines focus and discipline) Do arguments/evidence refer back to the research questions to demonstrate relevance? Does the student demonstrate a good grasp of the subject material at a: theoretical contextual level, and substantive level?

4. RMIT UniversitySlide 4 2. Does the candidate know what they are talking about? Have they covered all the: - relevant research / empirical and theoretical material? - major writers? -major contributions in the field? One way of checking that this has been done is to ask if the student has identified: > the dominant arguments / debates in the area > the main theoretical discourses > the main research findings > the dominant assumptions > the main the ethical and/or political / methodological questions (If the student is working from the scholarly literature or the practical literature, have they drawn on policy and program documents?) All this should be evident if there is a decent literature review Does the review go beyond description / review? (Literature review options: stand alone or a review that is integrated into the thesis)

5. RMIT UniversitySlide 5 3. Is it clear where the research fits in / how it connects to the prevailing knowledge, literature, practice? Where does the work fit in to the above? For example: Does it fill a gap? Is it a critique? Is it an extension of existing arguments /research? Is it starting a new line of inquiry? Where does the thesis sit or how does it contribute to an existing body of scholarship and research?

6. RMIT UniversitySlide 6 4. Is there a decent rationale - ‘the so what question’? Have the ethical, political, methodological, social empirical reasons for doing the research been articulated?

7. RMIT UniversitySlide 7 5.The Structure of the thesis Does the thesis have a coherent, logical structure? (ie., one chapter builds on the earlier one) Is the structure within each chapter coherent? Is it in a logical sequential ordering of arguments and material?

8. RMIT UniversitySlide 8 6. Does the candidate argue to evidence? Do they analyse the relevant data/material and argue to evidence? (or substantiate their claims)?

9. RMIT UniversitySlide 9 7. Has the thesis been proof read? Has it had a substantive copy editing Is the referencing (complete, consistent in format)

10. RMIT UniversitySlide 10 8. General Presentation. Format of thesis. Is there attention to detail?

11. RMIT UniversitySlide 11 For further information on the examination process see the RMIT Higher Degrees by Research Policy & Procedures booklet available at: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/6rp3m7h6fawnz.pdfhttp://mams.rmit.edu.au/6rp3m7h6fawnz.pdf