Research & Research Study

Issues and outcomes arising from HDR student feedback have been instrumental in refining and shaping MQ HDR practice and enabling MQ and the Faculties to monitor the effectiveness of policy in providing a productive research environment.

The major issues and the associated outcomes identified through the First Year HDR Student Experience Project from 2003 – 2006 include:

1) Commencing HDR Student Information Needs - Who? Where? How? When?

• Introduction of the Central Commencement Program (CCP) in 2004 addressed major student information needs;
• Regular maintenance and update of websites required (HDRO, Divisions & Departments);
• Specific information provided prior to and at commencement e.g. attendance requirements at DCP, and regular seminars (Faculties and HDRO);
• Introduction in 2005 of the Higher Degree Research Guide for Candidates and Supervisors (“HDR Green Guide”) for reference;
• Introduction of the tailored Candidature Management Plans in 2005.
  

2) Research Costing and Funding for HDR Candidates

• Devolution of 25% HDR funding to the student project to cover direct HDR costs, with Faculties reporting back to DVC-R from 2004;
• Costing of research undertaken on commencement of an HDR project, particularly in expensive fields of study with monitoring by Faculty HDR Directors;
• Transparent decision making expected within Faculties for HDR student resource allocation, as outlined in the Divisional Commencement Program.

3) Research Climate for HDR Candidates

• Since 2003 there has been steady improvement in HDR research climates within the University at all levels;
• Deans and Faculty HDR Directors are continuing to focus on improvements in departmental / Faculty research cultures.

4) Mode of Attendance HDR Issues

• Targeted support for different types of HDR students (e.g. Internal, External, Internationals, Part-time, Full-time) in particular through Divisions and monitoring by Divisional HDR Director.

5) HDR Space Allocation and Other Resources

• MQ Space Allocation Project in progress, with specific recognition of the needs of HDR candidates.

6) IT Resources – Availability and Suitability for HDR Candidates

• Review of MQ IT Policies and Practices 2006 and Infrastructure 2007, with major project expenditure in 2008-09 to improve the network.

7) HDR Administration and Communication

• Overall streamlining of institutional HDR processes and administration as an ongoing process;
• Increased website content and ease of navigation through the HDRO and Divisional websites;
• Annual surveying of HDR students for feedback (MUSEQ-R) introduced 2006.

8) Clarification of Roles and Expectations for HDR Supervision

• Associate Supervisor requirement (since 2004), with a minimum HDR panel of 2 staff;
• Code of Higher Degree Research Practice and Code of Supervisory Practice (pdf);
  
• Supervisor development program i.e. Colloquium for Research Supervisors;
  
• Supervisor workload management is in progress via the Deans’ revised workload models.

9) HDR Scholarships and Support

• Expansion of MQ HDR scholarships from 2007 - MQ Research Excellence Scholarship;
• Standardised 3.5 year MQRES from 2006.