Professor Robyn Dowling

1. Supervision Enhancement Program
Bachelor Philosophy/Master of
Research
(BPhil/MRes)
Prof Robyn Dowling
robyn.dowling@mq.edu.au

2. Overview of Session
• Quick guide to the BPhil/MRes
• Components of BPhil (Year 1)
• Components of the MRes (Year 2)
• Examination procedures
• Scaffolding MRes and PhD projects

3. MRes as Entry Requirement
• Admission to PhD now requires MRes or equivalent
• MRes equivalence determined on a case-by-case basis
• http://hdr.mq.edu.au/information_about/Scholarships/scholarship_-
_documents/Scholarship_Rating_Sheet_HDR_2015_Final.pdf

4. What is the BPhil/MRes and why do
we have it?
• Consists of 2 years
• Year 1: Advanced UG coursework at AQF Level 8, funded via CSP
• Year 2: Structured Research Training under RTS (at AQF Level 9)
• BPhil as exit

5. Components of the MRes (Year 2)
• 32cp structured around 5 core ‘activities’
• Enrolment time-based under RTS
• Research frontiers 2 (10% assessment)
• Literature review
• Research methods
• Research planning
• Thesis (20,000 words) small research project (90% assessment)

6. Examination
• http://www.hdr.mq.edu.au/information_for/thesis_examiners
• AQF Level 9
• Two external examiners
• Normal rules on nomination of examiners apply except do not have to
be national and international
• Can examine more than 1 thesis
• Grading guidelines on HDRO web site

7. Articulating MRes and PhD Projects (rules)
• A candidate may not submit as the main content of the thesis any work
or material which has been previously submitted for any degree but may
incorporate that work or material in the thesis, if the candidate specifies
the work or material which has been so incorporated [from PhD
examination rules]
• See handout

8. Challenges Faced in MRes2?
• In table groups provide a list of
1. Difficulties you and/or colleagues have faced in delineating and
conducting projects for MRes 2?
2. Criteria you think determine the scope and nature of MRes
projects

9. MRes Projects need to be
• ‘doable’ in time frame
• Ethics
• Primary data collection?
• Analysis skills
• Satisfy two external examiners
• Provide a ‘headstart’ to the PhD
• Pilot project?
• Phase One

10. Activity 1
1. Discuss how you could carve up a conventional PhD into MRes and
PhD projects.
2. What shape will the MRes project have in the PhD presented for
examination?
3. Report a summary to the whole group.

11. Activity 2
It is November 30. Your MRes candidate has received examiners’ report, a
grade of 86 and hence a PhD scholarship. What is the plan for:
a. The next six months
b. The next year
How might these plans change if the candidate changes supervisor?