Introduction to PhD Code of Practice

1. Introduction to PhD Code of Practice Jo Ferrie Interim Director Graduate TrainingSeptember 2013

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

3. Key Documents • University Code of Practice for Postgraduate Research Degrees • http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/postgraduateresearch/pgrcodeofpractice/

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 • Supervisor responsibilities • Student responsibilities

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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 70-100,000 words • Oral exam process – one internal and one external plus convenor • Recommendations post viva

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

17. Reading & Understanding the Code of Practice

18. Reading & Understanding the Code of Practice

19. Reading & Understanding the Code of Practice

20. Scottish Graduate School http://www.socsciscotland.ac.uk/