Research with us
Difference between the Doctor of Education and Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Education (EdD) combines structured coursework with a significant research project. The program includes four coursework courses designed to help you acquire the research knowledge and skills you will need to complete the research component of the program. You are not required to have completed a formal research project before applying for entry into the program, but will be required to have completed a Masters degree or equivalent in a field relevant to your proposed area of study.
The Doctor of Philosophy program is a research doctoral degree offered by all Faculties at USQ. Applicants are required to have completed a research project, normally within a formal academic qualification (for example an Honours program or a Masters program).
Both programs are research higher degree programs and you may be eligible for a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place in the program. The Office of Research and Higher Degrees will advise you of your eligibility for an RTS place.
Admission to our research programs is highly competitive, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Our doctoral programs do not qualify graduates for teacher registration, so if you are looking for teacher registration, please consider our Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching.
Supervision
Students will be supported by staff who are recognised nationally and internationally in their research endeavours. Each doctoral student is supervised by at least two supervisors. Applicants should identify potential supervisors and contact them to introduce themselves and include a short outline of their intended research project. PhD applicants are required to complete as part of the pre-application process a Preliminary Research Project Outline in consultation with their proposed supervisors. EdD applicants may complete either a Doctor of Education Application Addendum or a Preliminary Research Project Outline in consultation with their proposed supervisors.
Support
We offer some financial support to students enrolled in Education research degrees (Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Education). The activity for which financial support is requested must be directly related to the research project being undertaken by the student to complete his/her postgraduate degree, for example:
- conference presentations
- attendance at relevant conferences
- expenses incurred in data gathering
- travelling to consult supervisor
- conducting a pilot study
- printing and binding of dissertations.
Applications for funding are submitted using the Postgraduate Research – Support Fund Application form. Students should consult their supervisors before lodging a request for financial support with the Administration Officer (Research Training).
Library Research Services are also available to assist students throughout their studies.
Ethics
All research students must obtain approval from the relevant USQ Ethics Committee before commencing data collection involving human participants or animals. Students should consult their supervisors before submitting an Ethics application form.
Progress reports
Doctoral students are required to submit a progress report for each semester they are enrolled in a research course. Doctor of Education students are not required to submit a progress report for semesters they are enrolled in coursework courses.
Confirmation of candidature
Students are admitted to a research higher degree program as a provisional candidate. Provisional candidates should complete the requirements of the candidature confirmation process within the timelines relevant to their program of study. The confirmation process involves an oral presentation, the preparation of a confirmation proposal, and a panel review process. Provisional candidates will be advised of the Faculty scheduled Confirmation of Candidature presentation dates throughout the year. Students will work with their supervisors in the preparation of their proposal for confirmation.
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