A/P Merilyn Childs, Convenor Supervision Enhancement Program and A/P Bridget Mabbutt, MRes Director (FSE)

Supervising MRes in the Faculty of Science and Engineering 19th Jan 2016

Workshop plan (1 hour)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/glaciernps/

1. Introduction – Bridget

2. MRes structure in FSE – Bridget

3. Exploring the differences between supervising Honours, MRes and the PhD – Merilyn

4. MRes student resource needs – Bridget

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Introduction: our level for delivering MRes

Federal requirement: AQF Level 9“Graduates at this level will have expert, specialised cognitive and technical skills in a body of knowledge or practice to independently:• analyse and synthesise complex information;• apply established theories• communicate knowledge to different audiences.”

MQ MRes thesis examination criteria(a) delineated the relevant topic by critically reflecting on current

research in the field;

(b) produces empirical outcomes or analytical evaluations that respond to the literature;

(c) satisfactory literary presentation.

Five simultaneous

Training Activities

MRes structure in FSE

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MRes structure in FSE

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TIME IS TIGHT and STRUCTURED :

KEEP TRACK& assist candidate with

time management

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Exploring the differences between supervising Honours, MRes & the PhD

http://www.hdr.mq.edu.au/information_about/research_training_degrees/additional_info/mres_pathways

The generic MQ pathways model (introduced 2014)

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Exploring the differences between supervising Honours, MRes & the PhD

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Exploring the differences

OFFICE I FACULTY I DEPARTMENT

Group activity.

See Handout.

between supervising Honours, MRes & the PhD

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Implications for MRes student resource needs

Desk space: available in the library HDR rooms. Student must apply for key access

Research Funds: available through Faculty HDR budget. Budget submissions are required in some Departments. A student should not be asked to personally pay for their research needs.

Conversation starter to identify specific needs:• What do you need to upskill? i.e. identify student’s training needs

immediately.• Are you going to share or outsource any aspects of the work: what funds

and organisation is required for this?• Does candidate need to travel to get the best data? • Will special equipment be needed, and does access need to be arranged?• Will there be seasonal data collection? How can this be managed in the

timeline constraints?• Are there any ethical or safety issues? Are permits in place?

Working off campus

what might go wrong?

• identify project risks

• think of contingency plans or ways to minimise them

• Find out rules and consequences of leave of absence

Make sure you attend the following session later this year:

Submitting an MRes thesis in 2016 (FSE)*

Bridget Mabbutt (MRes Director) Jane Yang (HDR Manager)

Thank youA one hour workshop can never be more than a “taster”. We encourage you to talk to experienced MRes supervisors in your department, request further workshops, and consider setting up regular meetings with other supervisors. Also see the following slides:MQ Research Training Pathway Program Bachelor Philosophy/Master of Research (BPhil/MRes)