The colloquium

1
The colloquium

• Whats involved?
• Phil Cormack, Centre for Studies in Literacy,
  Policy and Learning Cultures
• Hawk Research Institute
• Program Director LPEO/MPEO

2
The purpose

• to make a judgement about whether a provisional
  research degree student is sufficiently prepared
  to move into the research phase of their
  candidacy
• to provide support and advice to students before
  they embark on their research project.

3

• Specifically, the colloquium aims to ensure that
  the proposed research is
• well grounded theoretically
• methodologically sound
• ethical
• significant
• achievable
• This responsibility is mandated by the University
  through the Research Degree Committee and the
  Pro-Vice Chancellor Research

4
The colloquium panel

• The panel is convened and chaired by the Research
  Degree Coordinator/Program Director and is made
  up of
• the principal and associate supervisors, or the
  co-supervisors
• one or two academic members with expertise in the
  research area
• for the EdD, an industry representative
• Where the RDC is also the supervisor, an
  alternative Chair is appointed

5
How the colloquium is run in the Eastern Canada
program

• Usually, the colloquium is run via teleconference
  with participants from different sites connected
  to UniSA. We usually arrange for the colloquium
  to be recorded so that the student can revisit
  the discussion

6
The colloquium process (1)

• The panel meet briefly (30 minutes) to discuss
  the proposal and a provisional recommendation
• The student then joins the panel (at this point
  the recording begins), and they are told the
  panels provisional recommendation
• The student is invited to provide a five minute
  introduction to the proposal and point to any
  issues about which they specifically want advice
  or comment
• The panel members then discuss the proposal with
  the student in a roundtable format. Members may
  suggest changes to strengthen the candidates
  proposal and address problems with the research
  process. Any suggested changes should be
  consistent with the candidates research focus
  and intentions.

7
The colloquium process (2)

• The colloquium concludes with the chair
  summarising key points arising from this
  discussion including any agreed changes to the
  candidates proposal. If the decision of the
  panel is that the research should not yet go
  ahead, a time for resubmission of the proposal is
  agreed.
• Following the conclusion of the discussion with
  the student, the panel then formally agrees on
  recommending one of the following actions
• the research should proceed with no amendments to
  the proposal
• the research should proceed but with amendments
  to the research plan that will take into account
  suggestions of the colloquium panel and which
  should be confirmed with the supervisors in an
  agreed time
• the proposal should be redrafted and resubmitted
  in an agreed time taking into account feedback
  provided by the panel
• the proposal is rejected and a substantially new
  proposal should be developed in an agreed time
  before resubmission
• (As part of this process the panel may provide
  advice to the Principal Supervisor about any
  issues that may need to be addressed with the
  candidate)
• The RDC then writes a letter to the student
  summarising the discussion, any recommendations
  and the decisions made. This is copied to the
  supervisors.

8
The colloquium pitfalls

• looking for perfect understanding of the field,
  methodology etc.
• it becomes a judgement about the candidate
• it becomes a judgement about the supervisor(s)

9
When the colloquium works (1)

• the candidate has a strong sense of the value of
  their research to the field
• the candidate has explicit guidelines about
  whats needed to get started with the data
  generation phase and beyond (including milestones
  if necessary)
• the candidate has an understanding about whats
  involved in research that will make a
  contribution to knowledge (and professional
  practice)

10
When the colloquium works (2)

• the candidate has been given clear and positive
  feedback and advice (often beyond what a
  supervisor can provide)
• the supervisor has a working plan of issues to
  work through with the student
• the supervisor has access to a second eye on the
  project and experienced support for working with
  this student

11
Preparing for the colloquium(1)

• ensure the student is clear about the purpose of
  the colloquium i.e. to demonstrate that the
  student is ready to start the research data
  generation
• Has written a concise proposal which
  demonstrates/includes
• sufficient knowledge of the field (to know what
  they will need to know)
• a clear goal and associated research questions
• a research design which lines up the goals,
  questions and expected outcomes
• an understanding of the significance of the
  research to the field
• a realistic and achievable plan

12
Preparing for the colloquium(2)

• Try to make sure that the panel
• includes academics with knowledge of the
  students field and of the methodology proposed
• receives the proposal in good time
• knows about your views of the strengths of, and
  concerns about, the proposal
• knows what help you want the student to receive
  from the process