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DIISR ALTC-DDoGS Pathways Project ALTC Coursework Masters Project

DIISR ALTC-DDoGS Pathways Project ALTC Coursework Masters Project. Margaret Kiley CEDAM The Australian National University. Australian data. Increasing variation at the PhD level e.g. Australian median age on graduation is 37

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DIISR ALTC-DDoGS Pathways Project ALTC Coursework Masters Project

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  1. DIISRALTC-DDoGS Pathways ProjectALTC Coursework Masters Project Margaret Kiley CEDAM The Australian National University

  2. Australian data • Increasing variation at the PhD level e.g. • Australian median age on graduation is 37 • At one Go8 median was 33 with 14.7% graduates in Hum/ Soc Sci and 49.4% in Sci • At an IRU age was 40 with 47.4% in Hum/ Soc Sci and only 23.9% in Sci. (Neumann & Tan, 2011) • Increasing % of PhD applicants without Honours (research or c/w masters) Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  3. Postgraduate Student enrolments (DEEWR data) Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  4. Masters students by gender (DEEWR data) Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  5. Coursework masters by age (DEEWR data) Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  6. Interest in research by age (POSSE data) Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  7. Deans of Graduate Studies… • …when asked what knowledge, skills and aptitudes they looked for in a PhD applicant and how the applicant could demonstrate this, suggested the following Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  8. Knowledge

  9. Skills (1)

  10. Skills (cont)

  11. Aptitudes

  12. DDoGS thinking and current context • Increased enrolments in coursework masters (decrease in research masters) • At the same time, pressure to train and graduate researchers • Honours under pressure as an undergraduate award • What are pathways to doctoral entry? Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  13. ALTC-DDoGS Project • Funding $10,000 from ALTC for one year • To answer: • What are the various pathways that potential candidates take to, through, out of, and from their doctoral program? • What is the exit point and qualification if they want to leave a PhD program without completing? Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  14. ALTC I have done a coursework masters project • Funding $200,000 from ALTC for 2 years to: • Gain a better understanding of the research education components of coursework masters programs • Identify what sorts of coursework masters programs provide an effective, supportable entry to a research program in Australia Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  15. Sample Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  16. DDoGS Project Activities • Overseas models of entry to doctorates • Survey of Australian universities re entry requirements • Sample of Australian universities • Interview the Dean of Graduate Studies • Collect data from each sample university’s web site regarding re relevant information Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  17. Overseas universities Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  18. Findings • Universities most commonly seek • masters degree (e.g. in proposed discipline or by research) • research experience (e.g. publications emanating from research) • academic achievement (e.g. honours, awards) • research proposal (e.g. statement of intentions/interests/goals) • language proficiency (e.g. English) Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  19. Note • A number of universities beyond Australia: • identify only disciplinary specific PhD entry requirements (or in addition to general entry requirements); and • refer to ‘graduate studies entry requirements’ (e.g. that embrace Masters and Professional Doctorate as well as PhD by research programs) Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  20. Australian university survey • Twenty (51%) seek evidence of: • academic achievement / ability / writing (e.g. honours, higher degree, advanced knowledge) • research performance / readiness / potential (e.g. research training, professional /work experience) Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  21. Other • Eleven (55%) provide exit credit towards other qualifications but this does not appear to be standard practice in seven (35%). • Six (30%) have special consideration for non-traditional candidates and further five (25%) provide targeted equity support. Seven (35%) have no formal strategies Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  22. Cont. • Twelve (60%) have courses, workshops and online facilities, with three (15%) mandating completion of a research methods program concurrently with the degree. Four (20%) have no specific training • Thirteen (65%) have online support for part-time candidates. Four (20%) have no formal support Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  23. Interviews: Deans of Graduate Studies • The most frequent finding related to variation in: • Cohort: gender, age etc • Ways of meeting needs • Discipline mix • Programs Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  24. Interviews: PhD students • Challenges of research methodologies etc • Noted honours students or masters by research students could have very similar problems • Individual capability and drive were big factors in overcoming those challenges Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  25. Interviews: Supervisors and Convenors • Significance of programs re industry • Research training for students • Coursework masters as a realistic pathway to the PhD • Project management skills learned in coursework masters • The future of higher degree research at universities in general (ERA) Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  26. Discussion • Substantial increase in the number of entrants • Particular increase in the 20-29 age cohort • Older students and female students more likely to express interest in research • Specific research required about the disciplinary nature of the variation in age, gender etc • Construction of the coursework masters program with the most appropriate training for doctoral applicants Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  27. What might this mean for: • Funding Policies: fee-paying vs RTS • Supervisor training and development • AQF levels • Construction of coursework programs • Attracting future researchers from industry Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  28. Dr Margaret Kiley CEDAMThe Australian National University Margaret.kiley@anu.edu.au ALTC Masters project http://courseworkmasters.anu.edu.au/ ALTC Pathways project http://cedam.anu.edu.au/people/dr-margaret-kiley/research-and-publications/ddogs_project Margaret Kiley: CEDAM The ANU

  29. DISCLAIMER Support for this project has been provided by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council Ltd.

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