M ilestone 1(Candidacy): Preparing the Application & Research Proposal

1. Milestone 1(Candidacy): Preparing the Application & Research Proposal A global university Perth | Kalgoorlie | Dubai | Malaysia | Singapore

2. Acknowledgement of Country I would like to acknowledge the Wudjuk Noongar people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we present, and would like to pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging. A global university Perth | Kalgoorlie | Dubai | Malaysia | Singapore

3. Presentation Structure • Overview of Course Stages • Summary of 3 Milestones • All about Milestone 1 • All about the Research Proposal

4. Enrolment Graduation

5. Masters/ Doctoral - Stages Enrolment Milestone 1 (candidacy): due* 3/ 6 months Milestone 2 (mid-candidacy): due* 12/ 18 months Milestone 3 (pre-submission): due* 3 months prior to thesis submission. Thesis submission Each year you also need to complete an annual progress report (online form – Feb & March). * Due date is when the final outcome needs to be sent by the FGSC to the GRS

6. Milestone 1 (Candidacy) Requirements • Completed application form (ORCID, FoR, various declarations, HIT) • Written research proposal with timeline and budget • Oral presentation (about proposed project) Review Process • 2 assessors (one from outside of discipline group) review written proposal and oral presentation • Student provided opportunity to review proposal after feedback • DGR makes recommendation to FGSC and identifies thesis committee • FGSC reviews documents and makes recommendation about application and thesis committee • GRS advises candidate of outcome

7. Milestone 2 (Mid candidacy) Requirements • Completed application form (noting tasks completed, various declarations) • Written sample of work (3000+ words) • Completion and dissemination plan • Oral presentation (on progress and completion and dissemination plan) Review • 2 assessors (one from outside of discipline group) review written work, completion and dissemination plan and oral presentation • Student provided opportunity to review application materials after feedback • DGR makes recommendation to GRS; GRS advises candidate of outcome

8. Milestone 3 (Pre-submission) Requirements • Completed application form (noting tasks completed, various declarations) • Supervisor to declare that they have commenced the process of securing examiners • Oral presentation (what was found – where next) Review • 2 assessors (one from outside of discipline group) review oral presentation and discuss with DGR • DGR makes recommendation to GRS; GRS advises candidate of outcome

9. When a milestone application is rejected • The student’s enrolment status will be classified as conditional. • The student will be advised of the conditions of their enrolment by the GRS. • The conditions will be designed by the student’s Thesis Committee and Director of Graduate Research to assist the student to achieve satisfactory progress in their program. • Students can appeal a decision to reject their application for a milestone.

10. Milestone 1: Application Form • Keep in mind the Due Date is when the final outcome needs to be sent to the GRS (3/ 6 months of enrolment). Step 1: Review all the information for HDR students on the Curtin Current Students website and read the Information Sheet for Milestone 1 Step 2: Complete the application form • To complete the form you will need: • FoR number • ORCID • To complete the HIT • Have completed a Data Management Plan • Have completed Research Integrity Training (via Blackboard) • Submitted your proposal via Turnitin (via Blackboard) Step 3: Send the signed and completed form, with the research proposal and turnitin report to your supervisor for their approval.

11. Milestone 1: Written Research Proposal Task Requirements: • Written research proposal – 5 pages for Masters Students, 10 pages for Doctoral (not including references) • Must include: • Title and Abstract • Background, which situates the project in the scholarship • Detailed description of methodology and methods • Timeline – Gantt chart • Full budget – including, but not restricted to, consumables allocation. FAQs • What is the best structure and how long should each section be? • There are significant disciplinary differences and your supervisor will clarify with you the norms for your discipline. • What will the reviewers look for? • Ensure you examine the Assessor’s report form prior to writing your research proposal.

12. Research Proposal: Some fundamentals • It is a description of your research – written for someone who is an expert in another field • The proposal clearly sets the research within the broader discipline/ field and sets out the contribution • Identifies the ‘gap’ – demonstrate that you are widely read, you understand the theoretical traditions in the field, how the field has developed over time, what contributions have been made and why a ‘gap’ in knowledge now/ still exists. • Shows how you will address the gap – and justifies why your methodology/ method is the most suitable. • Developing your research question • Make sure your discuss your learning from your scholarly reading with your supervisor regularly (every 2 weeks) • Review and refine your research question as you go • Work towards developing a clear aim and objectives (to do list for a research project) • Make sure you also review recently complete thesis and current research projects – your research should align, but not directly replicate (unless that is the explicit intent of the project).

13. Research Proposal: Developing your research question • Developing your research question • Make sure your discuss your learning from your scholarly reading with your supervisor regularly (every 2 weeks) • Review and refine your research question as you go • Work towards developing a clear aim and objectives (to do list for a research project) • Make sure you also review recently complete thesis and current research projects – your research should align, but not directly replicate (unless that is the explicit intent of the project). • You know you are ready to write when you can convincingly describe and justify your project in 1 minute to your peers.

14. Research Proposal: Methods, budget and timeline • Your methods should be well understood in your discipline; reference leading work in your proposal • They might be ‘innovative’ – ensure you provide sufficient background about methodological innovation in your research proposal and justify your approach. • Ensure Curtin has the resources to support you. If you need to access data/ equipment held by a partner make sure an agreement in already in place for this. • Realistically consider the timeline – you can’t do everything, your study will necessarily have limitations. Be clear about the limitations from the start. • Ethics approval takes time • Labs are not always available – you may have to book sessions • It takes time to recruit participants • Some locations you may not get approval to travel to • If you are planning to use the ROC consumables allocation to partially fund your project make sure you fully understand the limitations of this funding (it is not a bank account – the uses for the funding is limited and can change)

15. Really Important Questions: Time to be very honest with yourself • Is the research topic of sufficient interest to you to sustain you through the whole of your thesis enrolment? • Is the research ‘do-able’ – that is, can it be conducted and managed by you? • Will you be able to obtain the required data? • Will the research be worthwhile and make a significant contribution – is it worth spending 2-4 years of your life on? • Will the topic effectively position you to be able to get your desired job at the end?

16. Research Proposal: Oral Presentation • Will be required for all as of 1 Jan 2019 • May already be required in some Schools/ research groups • May occur prior to 1 Jan 2019 if this is normal in your school • Oral presentation is designed to give you the opportunity to gain wider feedback on your proposal, and let your school know who you are and what you are doing (build your networks) • Tip: be active in following up on feedback/ suggestions from audience members

17. Research Proposal: Review Process • Review: • 2 assessors (one from outside of discipline group) review written proposal and oral presentation • Student provided opportunity to review proposal after feedback • DGR makes recommendation to FGSC and identifies thesis committee • FGSC reviews documents and makes recommendation about application and thesis committee • GRS advises candidate of outcome

18. Project planning - Resources Time "Piled Higher and Deeper" by Jorge Cham www.phdcomics.com

19. Project planning - Resources Time Develop good time management skills and habits Make time for writing, research and for life outside work! Turn off email while writing How much time can you spend on research? How much do you need for your project amazingdata.com

20. Timeline for Thesis Make a list of things you do well Make a list of things you struggle with.. Reflect… Don’t spend all your time on the ‘GOOD’ stuff. Expected Timeline Aim for 3 years doctoral, 2 years masters Prepare carefully Have contingency plans The Golden Rules: Write early, write often Don’t get it right – get it written

21. Thank you & Questions Make tomorrow better.