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Student Feedback: Issues & Outcomes
Issues and outcomes arising from HDR student feedback from this project have been instrumental in refining and shaping MQ HDR practice and allowing MQ and the Divisions 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 over 2003 – 2006 include:
1) Commencing 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 expected (HDRO, Divisions & Departments);
- Specific information provided at, and prior to, commencement e.g. Attendance requirements at DCP, and regular seminars (Divisions and HDRO);
- Introduction in 2005 of the Higher Degree Research Guide for Candidates and Supervisors 2007 (“HDR Green Guide”) for reference;
- Introduction of the tailored Candidature Management Plans in 2005.
2) Research Costing and Funding
- Devolution of funding to the student to cover direct HDR costs, with Divisional reporting back to DVC-R from 2004;
- Costing of research on commencement of an HDR project, particularly in expensive fields of study with monitoring by Divisional HDR Directors;
- Transparent decision making expected within Divisions for resource allocation.
3) Research Climate
- Since 2003 there has been steady improvement in HDR client service focus within the University at all levels;
- Deans and Divisional HDR Directors continue to address variations in departmental / divisional research culture.
4) Mode of Attendance 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) 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
- Review of MQ IT Policies and Practices 2006 and Infrastructure 2007.
7) 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 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 (via Centre for Professional Development);
- Supervisor workload management is in progress via the Deans’ workload models.
9) Scholarships and Support
- Expansion of MQ HDR scholarships from 2007 - MQ Research Excellence Scholarship