PURPOSE
This policy details Global Leadership Institute’s (GLI) research training principles and processes regarding Higher Degree Research (HDR) students can meet expected milestones to complete the course.
SCOPE
All HDR students and supervisors
PRINCIPLES
GLI ensures that HDR:
- admission offers are made only where there is an appropriate fit between the applicant, field of research, available resources, and appropriate supervisors;
- supervisors and students adhere to all relevant GLI policies;
- students understand their responsibilities regarding independent research;
- students understand their responsibilities regarding independent research;
- supervisors and students maintain Progress Reports at the end of each semester to address issues that may arise;
- students demonstrate satisfactory progress through achieving research milestones;
- students who demonstrate unsatisfactory progress through milestones may face consequences, including conditional enrolment or a period of suspension or exclusion from a course as detailed in the Progression and Exclusion Policy;
- students are kept informed regarding their research progress through clear, timely information about any unsatisfactory progress.
DEFINITIONS
- Candidature: duration of enrolment in a HDR course.
- Confirmation of Candidature : milestone within the first 12 months of full time equivalent (FTE) candidature to determine whether the research project indicates a strong likelihood of completion within the duration of candidature after the commencement of the research component. This may be extended only with special permission from the HDR Program Director.
- Higher Degree Research : courses by research at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 9 or 10.
- Live: student and supervisors meeting in real-time on campus or via Teams.
- Research Training: HDR courses that equip students with advanced skills, knowledge, and methods in research fields.
- Supervisor: person appointed to assume accountability for guiding the HDR student to completion of the course.
ADMISSION
Admission into GLI’s HDR courses is based on:
- meeting the admission criteria;
- availability of appropriate supervision team and resources required to support successful completion of the course;
- alignment to GLI’s areas of research expertise.
External Transfer
The HDR Program Director is authorised to permit an applicant who has completed a period of HDR candidature in another higher education institution to count the whole or any part of the period of this enrolment, as a period completed in a HDR course at the same level as at GLI, provided that the:
- the period of research was carried out under supervision in accordance with required ethics legislation;
- research is directly related to the student’s proposed course at GLI;
- HDR student has formally withdrawn from enrolment at the other institution for which the previous tenure is applicable.
The HDR Program Director considers applications for transfer of candidature from another higher education institute on a case-by-case basis considering the eligibility criteria and all relevant factors for admission.
RESOURCES FOR HDR STUDENTS
Requests for HDR student funding or other support must be approved by the HDR Program Director and are subject to budgetary constraints. Funding may include but is not limited to:
- software licensing;
- other software and licensing as required for data analysis (e.g. NVivo);
- external library membership for specified research libraries;
- research methods and writing training support;
- professional editing;
- field work;
- mandatory work health and safety awareness and training;
- presenting a paper at an academic conference;
- professional development to enhance research capacity and employability for academic and non-academic careers.
Allocation of Office Space
GLI provides HDR students access to office space and facilities based on needs. The HDR Program Director, in consultation with the Operations Officer, considers all applications for HDR office space and makes the allocation.
Allocation of Library Resources
The GLI global online library has funding allocated specifically to purchase digital resources required by HDR students, providing that the resources can benefit all students. Acquisition requests are made directly to the GLI Librarian and GLI owns the purchased resource.
COURSE DURATION
The duration of GLI’s Masters by research degree is two years for a full-time enrolment (or four years for part-time) unless with approved extension by the HDR Program Director. HDR students will learn to conduct research independently at a high level and will make an original contribution to knowledge in their chosen field.
TIMELINES
GLI’s progression timelines are listed below, although they will vary for part-time HDR students or HDR students who have taken an interruption.
| FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT (FTE) | MASTER OF RESEARCH |
| 1. Coursework units | 6 months FTE after commencement |
| 2. Supervision meetings | Weekly during each semester |
| 3. Progress Reports | End of each semester |
| 4. Confirmation of Candidature | 12 months FTE after commencement |
| 5. Research Seminar Presentation | 18 months FTE after commencement |
| 6. Intention to Submit | 2 months prior to submission |
| 7. Examination | 24 months FTE after commencement |
MILESTONES
HDR student progress is measured through successful completion of various formative and summative milestones, including:
Coursework Units
Core coursework units are graded according to GLI’s Student Assessment and Workload Policy.
Supervision Meetings
Further requirements are detailed in the Research Supervision Policy.
End of Semester Progress Reports
Further requirements are detailed in the Research Supervision Policy.
Confirmation of Candidature
Confirmation of Candidature occurs only after all core coursework units are complete. It involves an oral presentation of the HDR student’s research progress to GLI’s Confirmation of Candidature Panel. Successful confirmation of candidature ensures that the HDR student:
- can clearly justify the research proposal;
- demonstrates appropriate progress, training and professional skills;
- receives formative advice about the methodology and feasibility of the research;
- has adequate resources available to complete the research within the recommended timeframe;
- has the appropriate advisory team composition; and
- understands the requirements for progress and completion.
The principal supervisor must ensure that all compliance requirements (e.g. induction, relevant training, etc.) have been undertaken prior to the confirmation milestone. Application to GLI’s partner external Human Research Ethics Committee should take place after confirmation of the proposal. Until ethical clearance is obtained, there should be no form of contact with research participants, including recruitment and any data collection from human research subjects. Refer to the Research Ethics Policy.
Research Review and Presentation
Half-way through candidature (e.g. 12 months FTE), the HDR student submits a Research Review to the HDR Program Director, including: table of contents; completed/draft chapters; research integrity check (via Turnitin); personal reflection on appropriate use of generative Artificial Intelligence; and what still needs to be achieved within the allocated timeframe of submission.
The HDR student also presents their findings at a GLI Research Seminar as an opportunity to receive feedback from academic staff and students. The HDR Program Director and at least one representative of Research and Scholarship Committee attend the presentation to:
- ensure the research is on track for completion within the required timeframe;
- provide feedback on the scope, originality, and quality of the research;
- assess whether professional skills are developing appropriately;
- assess whether resources, including supervision and facilities, are satisfactory;
- identify any problems or challenges to address and resolve;
- determine whether the candidature should continue;
- ensure advanced engagement with literature and knowledge of relevant research methods.
Intention to Submit
Students are required to notify the HDR Program Director of their intention to submit their final thesis a minimum of two months in advance. This allows adequate time for examiners to be identified and contacted. Students must afford their supervisors the opportunity to review the full draft before submission. Once approved to submit by the principal supervisor, the student may complete and submit the Intention to Submit Form to: research@gli.edu.au
Examination
HDR examination processes are detailed in the Higher Degree Research Examination Policy.
PROCEDURES
MILESTONE EXTENSIONS
HDR students may request an extension to a milestone due date for reasons directly related to the research (such as a major change in direction of the project) or other reasons beyond their control. Maximum extensions include three months full-time (six months part-time) for Master of Research students. Milestone extensions must be approved by the HDR Program Director.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE OR CHANGE OF ENROLMENT
A HDR student may request a leave of absence. However, a students who have utilised the full extent of their FTE candidature period are not normally eligible to apply for a leave of absence.
A HDR student may withdraw voluntarily from a HDR course at any time. This should be discussed with the supervisory team to ensure all possible alternatives have been considered. A HDR student may apply to transfer to one of GLI’s coursework degrees at any time prior to the submission of the thesis for examination. This is subject to meeting the admission and cross credit criteria. A student who has submitted their thesis for examination cannot apply to transfer.
Any leave of absence or change to a course enrolment request should adhere to the Change to Course or Unit Enrolment Policy, including any effects on an international student’s visa.
CONFIRMATION OF CANDIDATURE PROCEDURE
The Confirmation of Candidature Panel includes:
- HDR Program Director (Chair);
- at least two other research active GLI academic staff from a relevant field of research;
- an external expert in the field nominated by the principal supervisor.
The student’s respective supervisors may attend the Confirmation of Candidature presentation. However, only the Confirmation of Candidature Panel decides the result.
Confirmation of Candidature includes the following:
- Chair of the Confirmation of Candidature Panel appoints Panel members. The HDR student must submit GLI’s Confirmation of Candidature Proposal Form signed by the principal supervisor to the Chair of the Confirmation of Candidature Panel at least six (6) weeks before the Confirmation of Candidature to verify that it is prepared in accord with the HDR Confirmation Proposal Guide.
- Once verified, the Chair distributes the proposal to Panel members at least 10 working days before the Panel convenes.
- An oral presentation is delivered by the HDR student to a Confirmation of Candidature Panel which is an opportunity for the student to demonstrate a contribution to advancing knowledge in the field, justify methodological processes, and provide a summary of progress to date. This is followed by a discussion with the HDR student about their proposal.
- The Confirmation of Candidature Panel recommends that this proposal:
- is accepted, with only minor edits required;
- requires major edits, with an extension of the due date (of three months FTE) for achieving candidature if the Panel deems the proposal to be developed appropriately but not yet ready for confirmation of candidature;
- is not accepted and a new Confirmation of Candidature process is required. After two attempts the student will be liable for termination of candidature. The Panel may also suggest that the student transfer to another course.
The Chair of the Confirmation of Candidature Panel notifies the supervisors of the outcome, including written feedback for the supervisors and student.
EXTENSION OF CANDIDATURE
A student who has not completed the research project for examination in the expected duration must submit an Extension of Candidature Form signed by their principal supervisor. It must include reasons for the request, along with documented evidence. This form is reviewed for approval by the HDR Program Director who includes a stipulated extension period. Unsuccessful requests must apply for re-admission into the course. For students who re-apply, the period of candidature is determined by the HDR Program Director. GLI enrolment fees apply for re-admission.
APPEALS
For appeals, students should follow the Student Grievance and Appeals Policy.
INTERVENTION
Research progress of a HDR student is demonstrated through achieving milestones throughout the course. The principal supervisor monitors, assesses, and records the HDR student’s progress during weekly supervision meetings and End of Semester Progress Reports. Outcomes are either satisfactory (milestone is completed) or unsatisfactory (milestone not completed).
Research Progress Review
If research progress is deemed unsatisfactory by supervisors in an End of Semester Progress Report, the HDR student will be notified, via email, by the HDR Program Director within five (5) working days of submitting the End of Semester Progress Report. This will detail concerns raised and notify the HDR student of a compulsory Research Progress Review meeting (on campus or live via video conferencing). The purpose of the Research Progress Review meeting is to:
- ensure the HDR student understands reasons for the review;
- develop a Research Progress Plan for the next three (3) months (FTE);
- review the supervisory arrangements;
- review of the HDR student’s circumstances;
- refer to counselling if required;
- refer to English language and/or research skills training if required.
- advise the HDR student that their enrolment may be impacted if they do not fulfil the Research Progress Plan;
- advise international students, where relevant, possible contravention of visa conditions if they do not meet academic standards;
- provide specific consideration to First Nations Peoples students, where relevant, to support them to progress and complete their course.
The Program Director records the meeting details in the Research Progress Plan which is signed by the HDR student and HDR Program Director and stored in the secure and confidential student’s file.
At the end of three (3) months, the HDR student’s progress is reviewed again by the HDR Program Director to ascertain whether the intervention has been successful. HDR students whose intervention has been successful are allowed to progress in their candidature.
Failure to Make Progress
If a HDR student still fails to meet agreed milestones in the Research Progress Plan, the HDR Program Director will request that the HDR student provide a written statement within 20 working days outlining reasons why they should be permitted to continue enrolment in the course.
The HDR Program Director considers the written statement and may:
- terminate the HDR student’s enrolment; or
- permit the HDR student to continue with or without specific conditions.
The candidature of HDR students who have not made satisfactory progress, even after intervention, may be terminated. The HDR Program Director may recommend that a HDR student transfer to a GLI coursework program. In this case, the student would submit a Change of Course or Enrolment Form.
Where an international HDR student fails to make progress, the Progression and Exclusion Policy procedures regarding international students apply.
