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Research supervision

Code of practice for supervision of doctoral and research masters candidates

Both doctoral and masters candidates should consult the Code of practice for supervision of doctoral and research masters candidates at Chapter 5.2 of the Handbook for Doctoral and Master of Philosophy degrees.

The code of practice is divided into the following five parts:

  1. Responsibilities at the Institutional Level
  2. Responsibilities at the Departmental and faculty Level
  3. Responsibilities of the Supervisor
  4. Responsibilities of the Candidate
  5. Conflicts of Interest

It is important that you and your supervisor consult this document on a regular basis.

Attendance

Candidates are expected to attend campus regularly to consult with their supervisor(s), attend school seminars, and to use the library or facilities. It may be possible, in exceptional situations, for arrangements to be made which allow a candidate to work away from the university.

Full-time candidates are allowed to undertake up to 15 hours of work on average in any one week, although a maximum of six hours only on average of this employment may be undertaken during normal working hours (9 am – 5 pm Monday to Friday).

Participating in academic life

The faculty hopes that candidates will contribute towards the building of a research community by participating in faculty and school / centre committees, meetings and seminars, attending and offering papers at research conferences, and submitting papers for publication in research journals.

Changing your supervision arrangements

Candidates may need to change their supervision arrangements for a number of reasons, including when a supervisor goes on leave, resigns or retires, or interpersonal problems arise.

In each case you should first speak to your supervisor and department. If any problems arise students may wish to contact the faculty's Research Office for assistance.

You become dissatisfied with your relationship with your supervisor

While rare, it may happen that you become dissatisfied with your relationship with your supervisor. This could happen for reasons related to the content of your thesis, or if your interests and your supervisor’s diverge during your candidature to the point where you feel you are not getting sufficient help, or because of interpersonal difficulties. Whatever the cause, the breakdown of the student/supervisor relationship can be a major disruption to your studies and is a matter which should be addressed immediately and resolved quickly. Students can take constructive action by, if possible, frank discussions with their supervisor and/or associate supervisor, or by referring the matter to the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies).

Problems with supervision arrangements

A satisfactory working relationship between supervisor and candidate should minimise many of the difficulties that may arise in relation to candidature. If any problems do emerge which are either directly related to your research or which may indirectly affect your ability to continue, it is essential that you keep in contact with the faculty. As well as your supervisor and associate supervisor, research advisers, staff at the faculty Research Office and the Convenor of Graduate Studies are available to give advice, interpret regulations, and ensure that your time in the faculty concludes with the successful submission of your thesis.

If a difficulty arises that requires you to change your supervisor, take time off from study, take time away from home or that affects your enrolment in any way you will need to ensure that both the faculty (for Masters candidates) or Monash Research Graduate School (doctoral candidates) are advised of any changes to your enrolment status.

Further information