PhD Dissertation proposal

During the period of provisional candidature, and as part of the process of confirming full candidature, candidates shall furnish a dissertation proposal to the Higher Degrees Review and Admissions Committee (HDRAC). This proposal must be submitted within:

• 12 months of the commencement of enrolment (or 24 months of part-time enrolment); or
• 12 months of the completion of coursework in the case of candidates required to undertake coursework.

The purpose of the proposal

The purpose of this proposal is to clearly set out the:

• goals of the PhD study
• relationship of the work to our current body of knowledge in this discipline area
• methodologies by which the goals will be addressed
• likely outcomes of the work, together with their significance.

Preparing the proposal

Candidates should ensure they adhere to the guidelines for the dissertation proposal when preparing their proposal.

A workshop dedicated to the preparation of the PhD research proposal is also presented mid-year to inform students of the focus of the PhD study/goals and the objectives of the research proposal.

Submission process

1. Your proposal should be forwarded to your supervisors for the following actions:
    
   • Principal Supervisor(s) - to provide a statement of support explaining why the proposal is regarded as reasonable and the dissertation likely to be accepted. Comment on the originality of the project and the actual investigative tactics is also required.
   • Associate Supervisor(s) - to provide information on their contribution to the supervision of the candidate.
      
2. The Supervisor(s) then forwards the proposal to the Dean of the relevant faculty for consideration and signature.
3. The Dean forwards the proposal along with this completed Dissertation Proposal Checklist (DOC 90kb) to the Postgraduate and Ethics Officer, Office of Research and Higher Degrees for consideration by the Higher Degrees Review and Admissions Committee (HDRAC).

Dissertation proposal review

The review of the full dissertation proposal by the HDRAC is intended to assist a candidate to work towards production of a dissertation that will be acceptable to examiners.

It enables the HDRAC to assess whether, after the first full-time equivalent year of study, the candidate and their supervisors have:

• appropriate Faculty support
• a clear outline of a thesis topic which constitutes an original contribution to knowledge
• an understanding of the potential significance of the work
• determined the methodologies by which the work will be undertaken.

If, after reading a proposal, the HDRAC has any concerns regarding any of these issues, it may hold further discussions with the candidate, the supervisors and/or other Faculty members. Where it considers it appropriate, the Committee may request a resubmission of the proposal in full or in part, having outlined specific additions, omissions, or clarifications it wishes to have addressed.