Information for Supervisors and Postgraduate Co-ordinators
- Citation procedures
- Citation format
- Citation examples
- Examination FAQ for Supervisors
- The role of the Chairperson of Examiners
- Nomination of Examiners Information
- Information sent to Examiners
Citation procedures
It is a requirement of the University that a citation be prepared for every successful candidate, even though the candidate may not intend to be present for the conferring. The examination will only be concluded once the citation and other relevant materials are lodged at the School of Graduate Research. All citations submitted are considered by the Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Research on a weekly basis. It is imperative that the citation is prepared immediately to avoid delays with finalising the examination and awarding the degree.
The citation is read by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate Research) of the School of Graduate Research at the ceremony at which the degree is conferred. The title of the thesis is not read out. The citation should summarise the nature of the independent research, the contribution to knowledge made by the candidate in the thesis, and the intellectual and/or practical value of the work.
It is important that those present at the ceremony are able to comprehend the nature of the research and appreciate its contribution to society, although they may have no specialist knowledge of the field or its technical terms.
For your information please refer to the examples of citations as published in Conferring of Degrees Ceremony.
We strongly encourage that you give the candidate the opportunity to see the citation for comments.
Please forward the citation as part of the text of an email.
Citation format:
- the citation should be restricted to 50 words to prevent delays in the conferring ceremony. (please note citations that exceed the 50 word limit will be returned for revision to the appropriate length)
- the citation should indicate what the research was about and commence with the words [name of candidate] who investigated…./ who studied…./ who examined…./ who found…./ who argues…./ work will benefit….
- it should contain a brief description about what the research achieved or “found”
- it should give an indication about the impact of the research or its potential application
- it should be grammatically correct and written in language which can be understood by a lay audience at the conferring ceremony
- present or future tense should be used when describing findings, impact or potential application
- only those technical/specialised terms which are in general use should be used
- it should refer back to the candidate by using “his findings” or “her study” (the candidate’s name should not be used within the text of the citation).
Citation examples
NB: the discipline is only for your reference - do not include with your citation
Arts
who completed a study of Victoria’s celebrated initiatives in community consultation in the 1970s and 80s. She showed how governments and key mediating agencies marginalised radical and politically turbulent values and interests to achieve forms of consultation consistent with conservative interest accommodation practices traditional to Victorian politics.
Behavioural Science
who studied parents of adolescents with emerging psychosis. She found that certain coping styles and beliefs about mental illness were associated with parents' distress and grief, and with problematic interactions with their children. Her study has important implications for psychological interventions with mentally ill young people and their caregivers.
Earth Sciences
who investigated the origins of diamond-bearing magmas from India. He established a new analytical technique and used this to reveal subtle differences in the mantle source characteristics between provinces. This technique has attracted international interest and is currently being applied to the kimberlites of South Africa.
Education
who investigated the impact of learning on the political literacy of young activists. He developed our understanding of political knowledge, skills and values and how these influenced participation. His study gives unique insight to a new generation of activists and poses challenges for researchers, policy makers and education practitioners.
Engineering
who studied the structural behaviour of concrete walls, composite steel-concrete columns and industrial buildings when subjected to fire. The study improved our understanding of appropriate levels of building safety and now forms the basis of structural design requirements for building elements and buildings in situations involving fire.
Law
who investigated the role that the law can play in the integration of evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine into mainstream healthcare. She proposes a regulatory framework that emphasises the role of consumer choice, autonomy and responsibility. Her framework provides a blueprint for governments to address this difficult and controversial issue.
Medicine
who investigated the role of chromosome breaks in the development of leukemia in mice. A new tumour suppressor gene was unequivocally implicated, and its position refined to a degree which will allow cloning of the gene, and examination of the role of the equivalent gene in human cancer.
Music
who developed a system for analysing tonal implications in fifteenth-century European Music. He found that many Renaissance works, unlike later Classical music, project two tonal centres. His study opens the way for a richer understanding of the links between Early Music and the music of today.
Science
who showed in tammar wallabies how production of the prostaglandin hormones increases by regulating different enzymes in uterus and placenta before birth. These comparative studies provide important clues as to how the fetus regulates the timing of its own birth in all mammals.
Examination FAQ for Supervisors
- How much do examiners get paid?
PhD examiners will receive $383.00 and Masters by Research examiners are paid $217.00. Payment of examiners' honorarium is made on receipt of the completed report form and detailed written report. - How long do examiners have to examine a thesis?
Examiners are asked to complete the examination of the thesis within six weeks and not exceeding eight weeks. - My student is close to submitting their thesis for examination. What is the procedure?
Three months prior to the submission date of the thesis, the candidate is required to submit an 80-word summary of the thesis argument to the School of Graduate Research. Candidates are required to discuss the time-frame for thesis submission with their supervisor prior to submitting an 80-word summary. The 80-word summary should be submitted via the on-line form.
The summary activates the process of nominating potential examiners for the thesis.
Candidates are not informed of the names of persons nominated as possible examiners, but are permitted to name individuals whom they do not wish appointed as examiners. Candidates who wish to name individuals whom they do not wish to act as their examiners should provide a written statement to the head of department at the time of submission of their 80-word summary.
NB: If more than 3 months lapses between submission of the 80-word summary and the thesis for examination, it is recommended that the candidate notify the SGR two weeks before the thesis is to be submitted to avoid delays with the examination. SGR Examinations Office can be notified by e-mail.
The role of the Chairperson of Examiners
Nomination of Examiners Information
Information for Examiners
- PhD Examiners
- MSc, M.I.S. & MOptom by Research Examiners
- Additional Information for PhD Examiners: when a Dissertation and Creative Work is submitted - PhD Thesis
- Additional Information for Examiners: where a candidate is submitting for a PhD in Music Composition
Information for Examiners of a Resubmitted Thesis