Examiners' Recommendations
The supervisors' report should address all points raised by the examiners. Where the supervisors do not accept a point made by an examiner they must provide an academic argument justifying their view. For clarity and thoroughness it is recommended that supervisors list the comments of the examiners and respond to each of them, whether they agree or not, and explain the recommended action. This is best done in a tabular format. The supervisors should also provide an overview of their recommendations.
Examiner recommendations are not averaged to determine a final decision. Each is considered for its content and is also considered in relation to the other reports and the supervisory panel's comments. An examiner's comment can not be disregarded on the grounds that other examiners have not made the same point.
In some cases, there may be a discrepancy between the overall outcome recommended by the examiner and the content of their report. In these cases, a decision will be guided by the intention of the report. For example, if an examiner recommended that the degree be awarded Option A and included a substantial list of typographical errors, the report would be regarded as reflecting an outcome of M.
The principal supervisor's report will be considered by the School or Research Institute HDR Director (or equivalent) for a determination on the outcome. The School or Research Institute HDR Director (or equivalent) may refer the matter to a meeting of the Board of Studies Research Committee or the University Research Studies Committee.
If one or more of the examiners nominate either X or F, the School recommendation will be referred to the Research Studies Committee for consideration. The Chair of the Research Studies Committee may make a decision by executive authority.
The Office of the Academic Registrar will advise the candidate of the decision.
Examination outcomes remain confidential until a final recommendation is decided.
The Research Studies Committee may specify the time within which any additional work shall be completed. Normally all corrections will be made within one session of the candidate being advised to make changes or rewrite for re-examination.
The principal supervisor must advise the Office of the Academic Registrar if a candidate who is re-writing will need to access the library and other facilities - as once a thesis is submitted the candidate is no longer enrolled.
In certain circumstances where the outcome is not clear, before making any determination the Research Studies Committee may take one or more of the following actions:
- appoint an additional examiner
- appoint an arbiter
- invite the examiners to confer with each other and/or with the Research Studies Committee with a view to the presentation of a consolidated recommendation
- direct that the candidate undertake such further examinations - oral, written or practical as the Research Studies Committee may specify.
Candidates will be given a copy of each examiner's report unless the examiner requests, in writing, that their name be withheld.
When the Research Studies Committee is satisfied that all requirements have been met, it will declare that the degree be awarded.
