The Stage 2 Proposal & the Project Management Approach

1. The Stage 2 Proposal & the Project Management Approach Presented by Susan Gasson (s.gasson@qut.edu.au) With thanks to Peter Mather Faculty of Science

2. Outline • The Project Management Approach and QUT Milestones • About Stage 2 – what is it and how to progress towards preparing it • Online submission

3. Aims Increase understanding of the • Project Management Approach • The Stage 2 Process • What is it and why do it • How to do it • Role of Student and Supervisor • Approval Process • Online Forms Submission

4. 1. The Project Management Approach • a framework for managing candidature. • mechanism for ongoing quality assurance of research work • strategy for enabling timely completion • strategt for setting and meeting your goals and objectives

5. What are the milestones • Stage 1 – application for admission • Stage 2 – first draft of the research proposal • Confirmation – the research proposal • Annual Progress Report – progress report updating the timeline and proposal as required • Final Seminar – final quality assurance of your draft of thesis • Thesis Examination – the assessment of your work against degree requirements.

6. Timeline • Required each milestone from Stage 2 onwards • A sample timeline is available. Whatever format you timeline takes it addresses issues key to you project • The timeline will be a living document and a tool for management of candidature

7. Approval Process • Milestones form are reviewed by: • Your supervisors • Faculty nominated experts for checking and declaration • Research Degrees Committee for approval • Approved • Provisional (minor changes) • Returned for further work (alternative pathways)

8. 2. About Stage 2– What is it? Three months full time or Six months part time in PhD students submit a form with a document attached (10-12 pages ideally): -Introduction -Program of Research & Investigation -Research Problem – research questions/hypotheses/problems -Individual Contribution -Design of the Proposed Research - plan to address your research within the constraints of a research degree (research methods and analysis). -Methodology & Research Plan - discuss any constraints or issues (coursework, ethics, IP, health and safety, collaborative arrangements, resources etc) -Timeline -Preliminary Literature Review – providing a justification for the need for the research – argument built through the literature review explaining your contribution to new knowledge

9. The role of the Stage 2 proposal to enable review of the broad research ‘scope and focus’ the paradigms informing the project the general research questions to be addressed in the project the pilot work/design and planning that will lead to the specific research questions being addressed preliminary resources and approvals required progress/research skills development

10. How to prepare the Stage 2Working with your Supervisor don’t avoid your supervisor if things are not going well (there will be ‘bad’ patches!) make your supervisor aware of problems early and work through them together over the life of the project, the student should gradually take the ‘lead’ as this happens, the Supervisor’s role should become more one of an Advisor and as a ‘sounding board’ for your ideas

11. Establishing a working relationship with your supervisor this is critical! PhDs are a research collaboration between the student and the supervisor(s) so both have ‘rights’ and responsibilities both parties should contribute to working out how the objectives can best be met fundamentally it should be a professional relationship

12. Role of the supervisor providing sufficient background to give the student an adequate ‘starting point’ assisting the student to find relevant background material for the project providing timely feedback during Stage 2 proposal development guidance rather than ‘instruction’ on Stage 2 preparation

13. Role of the student preparing the Stage 2 (i.e. writing it) not expecting your supervisor to do it for you! extensive background literature work developing drafts for comment by supervisor learning how to use feedback to improve outcomes to develop ideas and directions - i.e. learning to take an active role in the process

14. Things to remember It is Your Project – develop ‘ownership’ of it and use your supervisor to improve the outcomes the final Stage 2 document is not necessarily what you will end up doing for your PhD projects will evolve with time, with the results you produce and the literature that may be published as you proceed at graduation (if the process works!) you will be ‘the Expert’ in your specialist area

15. Independent Research academic discipline areas may have different expectations of the Stage 2 - define specific requirements with your supervisor relative familiarity with the project area will vary widely among students at the start - at an early stage assess your relative familiarity with the project honestly!

16. 2. One size does not fit all! a single approach to developing the Stage 2 proposal will not suit all students or all supervisors! so, before the process begins in earnest, meet and agree on a process with your supervisor this may involve: regular meetings, dates for drafts, time needed for feedback etc.

17. How to do it? extensive background reading consultations between student, supervisors, relevant experts and other postgraduates. Review examples of others work in related areas preparation of the proposal by the student incorporating feed back from the supervisors Common issues: Is the scope and focus appropriate? (risk assessment; limitations) Can you access the resources you require to complete the project? Justifying your original and significant contribution

18. Examples of Stage Two feedback • The Stage 2 application lacked conceptual weight and appeared still to reflect a very preliminary stage of project definition and methodology.  • The Committee was concerned that in the absence of a clear conceptual framework it was not possible to accept the project as being of a PhD standard.  The literature review lacked reference to more recent literature on the topic and did not reflect critical examination relating to a research question.  With no evidence of progress toward ethical clearance or identification of potential research sites, the logistics of the project appear yet to be explored.  The methodology was lacking in depth, focussing almost exclusively on methods of data collection rather than the more critical issue of how the method would address/respond to the research question.

19. Research skills learnt from developing a Stage 2 proposal reading critically and strategically managing your time effectively improving your academic writing skills receiving feedback, reviewing it critically and using it to improve the final product learning how to collaborate with positive outcomes

20. How to measure if the Stage 2 process is a success you will develop a clear understanding of the conceptual basis of your project you will understand the significance of the project in the context of your academic field there will be a clear direction to take towards Confirmation of Candidature you will have established a set of ‘ground rules’ for obtaining supervisor input, as needed

21. Submission Logistics • Online form submission • Check supervisors are correct • Ensure the draft you are to attach is acceptable to your supervisory team • You can monitor progress and see comments online • Review the Screen Shots to confirm requirements and clarifying with supervisor and FRAO (faculty research administration officer) as required.

30. Useful websites • PhD Comics (www.phdcomics.com) • Forms and Guidelines (http://www.rsc.qut.edu.au/AllForms/Forms/index.jsp) • Resources Catalogue (http://www.rsc.qut.edu.au/studentsstaff/resources/index.jsp)

31. Questions?