The Candidature Management Plan (CMP)
The HDRO has developed several plans that support students’ management of the research process. The plans are oriented around different forms of candidacy and provide a guide to essential activities required by candidature and an associated timeline. There is an acknowledgment that each research project will vary (for instance data collection may take a long or a short time) and that the plan may be adapted to reflect those changes. Many candidates have found the CMP useful in planning the overall scope of the research process, and to keep track of the compulsory elements (such as the CCP or annual report). In addition to the CMP provided by HDRO, many Divisions have also prepared versions that outline research stages consistent with their dominant research approaches, and also the compulsory Divisional activities.
Candidate
The CMP provides a good overview of research when it is undertaken for a formal award. Rather than just muddling along, the plan can help you set personal, achievable goals. In the early stages of candidacy you may want to discuss the development of a personal version with your supervisor that reflects your own unique project. Later in candidacy, you will probably use the CMP as a check list to ensure that you are on track for submission (for instance, setting time aside to discuss possible examiners – at least three months before your planned submission).
Principal supervisor
Most supervisors will have several research students at different stages of their candidacy and research project. The CMP can be used by supervisors to keep track of the university’s specific annual requirements for those different stages. It is probably useful to keep a copy of the CMP in a file for each candidate as a simple means of keeping track of essential deadlines and how far each candidate has progressed towards achieving them.
PhD 4 YEAR CANDIDATURE MANAGEMENT PLAN
6 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Completion of Central Commencement Program
Completion of Divisional Commencement Program
First draft of Research Proposal* submitted
Completion of Commencement report (Division)
Candidature confirmed by Division and HDRO
No Leave of Absence permitted at this point
Candidate to check Research Student Profile details through eStudent
Thesis completion timetable developed
Publication and financial expenditure plan
12 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Completion of Annual Report and MUSEQ-R
SCHOLARSHIP HOLDER: No LOA/Scholarship suspension normally permitted in first year
Main Literature Review or equivalent completed
Design of research methodology completed
Final draft of Research proposal submitted
Ethics Committee application submitted and approved
Data collection commenced
Candidate to check Research Student Profile details through eStudent
Thesis completion timetable revised
24 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Completion of Annual Report and MUSEQ-R
Data collection continues
Commencement of Data Analysis
Preparation of early draft chapters/papers
Postgraduate Research Fund application submitted
Candidate to check Research Student Profile details through eStudent
Thesis completion timetable revised
36 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Completion of Annual Report and MUSEQ-R
Data Analysis completed
Continuation of draft chapters
Literature Review or equivalent updated
Candidate to check Research Student Profile details through eStudent
Thesis completion timetable revised
42 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Final chapters/papers in progress for Supervisor approval
Thesis completion timetable revised
Submission of Completion report (Division)
Candidate to check Research Student Profile details through eStudent
SCHOLARSHIP HOLDER: Expiry of Scholarship and Submission of Thesis by due date
48 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Thesis examiners submitted for approval by HDRC
Submission of Thesis by due date
International students may need to apply for a Visa extension
* The RP should include details of your research time-line and activities (including publication), intellectual justification of the project, a review of literature, methodology, etc. This document is usually between 5-10,000 words depending on your discipline.
PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATE CANDIDATURE MANAGEMENT PLAN
6 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Completion of Central Commencement Program
Completion of Divisional Commencement Program
First draft of Research proposal submitted
Completion of Commencement report (Division)
Candidature confirmed by Division and HDRO
Satisfactory completion of required coursework units
No Leave of Absence or Scholarship suspension permitted at this point
Candidate to check Research Student Profile details through eStudent
Thesis completion timetable developed
12 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Completion of Annual Report and MUSEQ-R
No Scholarship suspension permitted up until this point
Main Literature Review or equivalent completed
Design of research methodology completed
Final draft of Research proposal submitted
Ethics Committee application submitted and approved
Satisfactory completion of required coursework units
Data collection commenced
Candidate to check Research Student Profile details through eStudent
Thesis completion timetable revised
24 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Completion of Annual Report and MUSEQ-R
Data collection is finalised
Commencement of Data Analysis
Preparation of early draft chapters/papers
Satisfactory completion of required coursework units
Candidate to check Research Student Profile details through eStudent
Thesis completion timetable revised
30 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Data Analysis completed
Satisfactory completion of required coursework units
Final chapters/papers in progress for Supervisor approval
Thesis completion timetable revised.
Submission of Completion report (Division)
Candidate to check Research Student Profile details through eStudent
36 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Thesis examiners submitted for approval by HDRC
Submission of Thesis by due date
MPhil CANDIDATURE MANAGEMENT PLAN
6 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Completion of Central Commencement Program
Completion of Divisional Commencement Program
First draft of Research proposal submitted
Completion of Commencement report (Division)
Candidature confirmed by Division and HDRO
No Leave of Absence or Scholarship suspension permitted at this point
Candidate to check Research Student Profile details through eStudent
Thesis completion timetable developed
12 months -full-time equivalent enrolment
Completion of Annual Report and MUSEQ-R
No Scholarship suspension permitted up until this point
Main Literature Review or equivalent completed
Design of research methodology completed
Final draft of Research proposal approved
Ethics Committee application submitted and approved
Data collection commenced
Candidate to check Research Student Profile details through eStudent
Thesis completion timetable revised
First opportunity for PhD transfer application
18 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Data Analysis completed
Final chapters/papers in progress for Supervisor approval
Thesis completion timetable revised
Submission of Completion report (Division)
Candidate to check Research Student Profile details through eStudent
Final opportunity for PhD transfer application
24 months - full-time equivalent enrolment
Thesis examiners submitted for approval by HDRC
Submission of Thesis by due date