Advice Given to Examiners
The mission of the University of Western Sydney is to provide excellence in higher education, research and associated community service within the Greater Western Sydney. In pursuit of this mission the UWS Research Studies Committee of the Academic Senate is committed to quality in postgraduate education. The intention of these guidelines is to assist examiners of theses for master's degrees by research, and for PhD degrees.
The Examination
You are asked to read the thesis and present your report in the time indicated in the covering letter. If for any reason you find that you are unable to complete the report on time, please contact the University as soon as possible for advice. It may be possible to grant an extension of time, or it may be necessary to ask another examiner to examine the thesis. Prompt action would be appreciated as this will minimise the inconvenience to others involved.
Examiners may request that the candidate undergo a written, oral or practical examination.
Criteria for PhD and Master's (Honours) Degrees
Master's (Honours) Degree
The master's (honours) degree is usually undertaken over the equivalent of 1-2 years' full-time candidature. It is primarily undertaken as a supervised program of original research, though the depth of the research required for a master's (honours) degree would be less than that required for a PhD.
The master's (honours) degree is aimed at the professional development of the candidate, with particular emphasis on research methodology appropriate to the field of study. It is intended to provide candidates with the opportunity to develop their potential for research, enhance their skills of problem identification and specification, and their ability to develop and present solutions.
PhD Degree
The PhD degree is usually undertaken over the equivalent of three years' full-time candidature, which is primarily spent undertaking a supervised program of original research. The program provides training which aims to produce graduates able to conduct research independently at the highest level of originality and quality. The PhD is a recognition of successful research experience of international standard in the discipline. A PhD candidate should uncover new knowledge either by the discovery of new facts, the formulation of theories or the innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas.
Non-standard theses are also encouraged, emphasising innovative and interdisciplinary research approaches. A proportion of the non-standard thesis may constitute creative work or productions, or other content. In this interdisciplinary form of thesis there is likely to be a challenging of disciplinary borders; and creative works which are experiments in genre.
Examiner's Report
Examiners are asked to provide a written report on the thesis which would usually include comment on whether:
- the thesis as a whole makes an original contribution to the knowledge of the subject with which it deals
- the thesis provides a sufficiently comprehensive study of the topic appropriate to the degree in the discipline area, or in related interdisciplinary areas
- the methods adopted are appropriate to the subject matter and are appropriately applied
- the research findings are suitably set out, accompanied by adequate exposition and are discussed critically in the context of the discipline
- the quality of English and general presentation is satisfactory.
Recommendations by the Examiners
Examiners are asked to attach their own written report to the completed standard form. Where changes should be made to the thesis before it is regarded as an acceptable standard for the award of the degree, examiners are asked to specify whether the changes are of a mandatory or recommended nature.
In assessing the thesis the examiner must make one of the recommendations listed on the Examination Results page.
Return of the Thesis
Please return the copy of the thesis to the University with their report. The examination copies remain the property of the candidate. At the conclusion of the examination process and when all conditions have been met and the degree awarded, a copy of the thesis will be lodged with the University Library for the use of scholars.
Confidentiality
It is essential to preserve the confidentiality of the examiners and the examiners reports during the examination process. It is, however, the policy of the University that, at the conclusion of the examination process, the candidate will be given a copy of each examiner's report.
If you wish that your identity remain confidential, please sign the statement in the box marked 'optional' at the foot of the standard report. While the report will be given to the candidate, your name will be withheld. If you do not wish to take this option, the box should be left unsigned.
Honorarium
Examiners will be awarded an honorarium for the examination of the thesis. The level of fee will be that which is currently recommended by the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee:
- master's degree by research A$240
- PhD A$425.
The honorarium will be remitted following the completion of the examination process.
