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Research Degree Theses and Oral Examinations. John Kirby Graduate School Faculty of Medical Sciences University of Newcastle. What is the word limit. Newcastle does not currently have a formally stated word limit. This is NOT a licence to go on and on and on…. Look at plenty of examples
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Research Degree Theses and Oral Examinations John Kirby Graduate School Faculty of Medical Sciences University of Newcastle
What is the word limit • Newcastle does not currently have a formally stated word limit. • This is NOT a licence to go on and on and on…. • Look at plenty of examples • Not just from your own group!
British Standard BSI 4821:1990 Now withdrawn! But can still provide useful information Library: Quick reference section.
Make life easy! • Produce final quality images as you go along – don’t wait until the end to put these together. • Maintain a bibliography as you go – write your own comments! Don’t simply download abstracts into Endnote.
Types of thesis • ‘Standard’ • Divided into chapters with results and interpretations • By publication • A review and a series of ~5 related papers • Can be difficult to examine as papers have already satisfied external referees! • Only for staff candidates
How do I write a book? • Agree a preliminary table of contents with your supervisor (assessment 3). • Bite sized pieces • Materials and methodology are easy (descriptive) and get you started. • Results is also descriptive and is crucial to the structure of your thesis. • Introduction and discussion are hard
Typical thesis layout • Title page (what is your title!) • Abstract (one page; 300 words) • Table of contents • List of Figures and Tables • Abbreviations • Acknowledgements
Introduction • End with a clear statement of aims • Materials + Methodology • Results chapter(s) • Typically have one per aim • Often have separate mini introductions and specific discussions • Concluding discussion • Context with literature • Strengths, weaknesses, future work • Bibliography
Table of contents 1 Introduction Page 1.1 History of problem 1 1.2 First issue1 1.2.1 sub issue 1 2 1.2.2 sub issue 2 4 1.3 Second issue 1.3.1 sub issue 1 5 1.3.2 sub issue 2 7 1.3.3 sub issue 3 8 1.3.4 sub issue 4 12 1.4 Third issue 1.4.1 sub issue 1 14 1.4.1.a sub sub issue 1 15 1.4.1.b sub sub issue 2 16 1.4.2 sub issue 2 18 1.5 Fourth issue 20 1.6 Fifth issue 1.6.1 28 etc, etc…
Tips Backup, Backup, Backup! • Write what you know/think and then reference a block of text • Try not to insert graphics within the text • Use separate pages • MUCH easier to format the final document • Minimise unnecessary use of colour • Cheaper and quicker to print
Finished • Get fiends and family to prrofread • Final printing takes much longer than you think! • Liaise with your supervisors • They must nominate examiners well in advance of submission! • Binding • Soft at first
Purpose of an examination • For the University • To assess and maintain quality • To mark ‘completion’ of the degree programme • For the Student • Potentially leads to award of a degree • Is an important and memorable life event • can be a real emotional roller coaster (for everyone involved)
Who needs an oral examination? • All PhD and MD candidates • Students and full-time JRAs need one internal and one external examiner • Staff candidates require two external examiners • Not all MPhil candidates • Same criteria for examiners as above • Oral examination held at examiners request • Not only for weak students • With a good candidate can be fun for everyone!
Appointment of examiners • See nomination forms on Graduate School www-site. • Examiners must: • be cognisant of standards • have subject knowledge (need CV) • command authority • not have played a role in the research • (if external) not have been a member of Newcastle staff for at least 3 years • be able and willing to examine
Internal examiners • Liaise with supervisor, student (and sometimes external) to arrange examination • Ensure the examination complies with Newcastle University protocol • Ensure appropriate report forms are completed and submitted in a timely manner • Provide balance, fairness and ensure good examination conduct • Potentially play a role during any appeals process
External examiners • Usually is the scientific specialist • Usually has the ‘casting vote’ • Maintains inter-university quality • Report provides important feedback to Graduate School • May not be completely ‘up to speed’ with local regulations!
Criteria – all theses • Should be: • Authentic • Scholarly • Professional • Well-structured, written and presented
MPhil candidates • Should • Demonstrate advanced knowledge • Have good knowledge of literature • Theses need not be • As original as a PhD • Worthy of publication
PhD/MD candidates • Should • provide evidence of adequate industry • demonstrate ability for originality • understand relationship with wider field • thesis should contain material worthy of publication
Preliminary Report • Regulations vary between institutions -read them! • Many (but not all) institutions require examiners to independently produce reports before the examination • Some need these to be submitted before the examination to flag up potential problems
How to conduct the examination - 1 • Arrange the room • Often good to have pencils and paper to draw on • At the start candidates can be very nervous! • Put them at their ease if possible with a soft start (but don’t anticipate the result!) • Remember to arrange refreshment breaks • Consider the candidate’s bladder
How to conduct the examination - 2 • Agree a plan with your co-examiner • Remember: • Oral examination of a good candidate can/should be one of the most pleasurable academic experiences for all involved • Examination of a poor thesis/candidate can be truly awful! • You need to devise different strategies for both situations
A1 Admit to degree A2 Minor correction A3 Minor revisions B1 Resubmit + oral B2 Resubmit no oral C Thesis OK but 2nd oral D1 Award masters D2 Minor correction for masters degree D3 Minor revision for masters degree E Resubmit + oral for masters F No degree Options at Newcastle
At the end (if all has gone well) • Ask the candidate to withdraw for a few minutes • REMEMBER you do not award the degree!! • Work out what you wish to say, then invite the candidate back • Tell the candidate what recommendation you will be making to the higher degrees committee (or other appropriate authority). • Smile and shake hands