OVERVIEW OF THESIS ASSESSMENT POLICY

1
INTRODUCTION
OVERVIEW OF THESIS ASSESSMENT POLICY PROCESS
REFORMSGary JohnsonRHD Unit Coordinator30
April 2008
2
ELECTRONIC THESIS DELIVERY

• Electronic copy more important than printed copy
• Print as required for assessment copies
• No print archival copy for UQ Library
• Desktop publishing more important than Word
  processing
• Issues re documents in multiple formats (esp.
  electronic publications)
• Information for candidates on UQ Printery website

3
PRELIMINARY PAGES

• Electronic signatures impractical
• Standard Declaration By Author in thesis
• Signed statements on Notice of Submission
  Nomination of Assessors form
• Thesis Preliminary Pages template

4
ASSESSOR ANONYMITY

• Promises of anonymity during assessment are
  legally tenuous
• UQ cant uphold its end of the bargain
• Prevents good practice (e.g. discussion with
  assessors about corrections)
• Goals of anonymity
• Prevent candidate writing thesis that suits
  assessors preferences
• Ensure assessor provides independent report based
  on thesis only

5
INVITING ASSESSORS

• Assessor Invitation Email template
• Developed from good practice examples already in
  use at some schools/institutes
• Can be sent by PGC or principal advisor
• Nominee completes Assessor Details form when they
  reply

6
ASSESSOR DATA ENTRY

• Working Party on School/Institute RHD Data Needs
• Extend access/use of SI-net for data storage
• Extend use of Business Objects for data analysis
• Recommendations to be finalised May 2008
• Schools/institutes to maintain Bio/Demo data
  (name, title, address) for thesis assessors

7
CONFLICT OF INTEREST

• Must address potential for conflict of interest
• External perceptions ? damaged reputation
• Many parties involved candidate, assessor,
  advisor, project, UQ, research partners
• Proposal to remove internal MPhil assessor option
• Why is it okay for the MPhil but not for the
  PhD?
• RHD Committee to decide on Friday 2 May 2008

8
EXPECTED SUBMISSION DATE

• Notice of Intention to Submit form problematic
• Expected submission date captured via
  progress/milestone reports for all candidates
• PGCs to use existing Business Objects report to
  plan in advance for upcoming submissions
• Annual Reports round ? full dataset August 2008