In the Initial Assessment the PhD researcher is required to illustrate how they have advanced their work from application and proposal stage. They should provide a comprehensive description of the proposed programme of work and illustrate that an initial wide-ranging review of the literature has been carried out. At this stage there should clearly be some awareness of the types of methodologies available to carry out the research. The initial assessment report should be developed in close co-operation with supervisors and include the following information:
* The background to the project
* The overall aim and more specific objectives of the research
* Overview of key literatures
* The potential methodology that could be used
* Further work to be completed to develop the PhD.
A short report (ideally around 1000 words long but up to a 1,500 limit [excluding appendices and references]) should be produced to accompany a brief presentation – up to fifteen minutes (PowerPoint slides are normally used but are not compulsory). The word limit for this assessment is deliberately set quite low, and it is acknowledged that at this stage researchers will have written much more, but the purpose of this assessment is to provide a concise report that allows the panel to understand the key elements of the PhD study.
After the presentation the members of the panel will ask questions and seek clarification on key issues arising from the presentation (normally around 20 minutes). They may also offer suggestions on how the study could be improved or developed. The purpose of this assessment is not only to monitor researcher progress but also to offer advice, support, and constructive feedback. After the panel has deliberated on the presentation, report and Q&A session, the chair will communicate the decision – to either proceed to the next stage of the PhD or to resubmit the report and present again.
It should be noted that at the Initial Assessment presentation, new PhD researchers may present to their peers. Other new and existing PhD researchers are normally invited to attend presentations (attendance will only be allowed for the presentation and questions part and not for the panel feedback element at the end of the meeting). This practice has been approved by the Doctoral College and is seen as good practice as it helps to develop a stronger PhD research community allowing new PhD researchers to gain experience of presenting to peers.
The Confirmation assessment is an important assessment for all researchers as it marks the confirmation of the PhD project and PhD researcher. The main purpose of this assessment is to provide assurance to supervisors, the assessment panel and to the Research Director that the topic of the PhD is now clearly defined and well understood and that the scope of the study is appropriate to PhD level (i.e., not more suitable for MPhil or too ambitious and unlikely to be completed in time).
At this stage it would be expected that the candidate will have considered a suitable methodology that it is appropriate for the study and will ensure its successful completion. It is also expected that a viable and realistic plan for progress over the next two years is presented at this assessment. In both the written report and oral presentation, the panel will want to see evidence that a substantial amount of progress has been made since the initial assessment and consideration will be given to the extent to which earlier comments have been addressed. The written report and oral presentation should cover the following areas:
* A thorough background to the area
* A clear overall aim and specific research objectives
* A critical literature review illustrating the key gaps in knowledge surrounding the area of study
* A discussion of the proposed research methodology and strategy for data collection. This will involve giving details of its rationale and how it may be operationalised.
* A timetable for the completion of the study within the given time frame (i.e. three years for a full-time PhD researcher or up to six years for part-time).
The written report for this assessment should be between 8,000-10,000 words and the presentation should last between 25-30 minutes and is normally accompanied by PowerPoint slides etc. It is acknowledged that this is a relatively short word limit, but the panel will be interested in the key elements as noted above and they do not need to see everything that has been written to date.
At the presentation they will ask questions and seek clarification on key issues linked to the study and will normally make recommendations about the direction, organisation and other aspects of the work. It is important that these comments are considered with your supervisors.
The outcome of the confirmation can result in several decisions 1) a straightforward confirmation, 2) confirmation with recommendations or 3) deferral (i.e., repeating the assessment within a specified period), 4) recommendation to transfer to an MPhil or 5) withdrawal from the programme. You will be given oral feedback directly after the meeting and written feedback on behalf of the panel is posted on PhD manager within a few days of the assessment. This feedback is considered by the Research Director and the Associate Dean for Research and Impact in UUBS before the researcher is formally transferred/confirmed.
Please remember that for the initial and confirmation assessments researchers are required to submit their written reports through the PhD Manager system at least two weeks in advance of the meeting date. If, for any reason, you cannot meet the deadlines set or present as arranged, you must let your supervisor and the Research Director know immediately.
Researchers who successfully complete the Confirmation Assessment are required to provide evidence of progress in the final years of study. Ultimately your progress is closely monitored by your supervisors as you move towards completion, but after the confirmation event you may evidence your study progress in several ways:
* A 2000-word progress report; or
* A presentation within their department or the Faculty (e.g. a presentation at a faculty / dept seminar or workshop or the annual PhD research day); or
* A conference paper presentation; or
* A journal article submission.
You should work closely with your supervisory team to ensure that one of the above pieces of evidence can be provided to the Research Director for the final year of study for which they are registered, following the Confirmation Assessment.
If you choose to submit a progress report it should be no longer than 2,000 words and should include:
* the aims and objectives of the study
* progress to date
* any issues or problems that may affect the completion of the project
* expected date of completion of the study.
When you are ready to carry out this assessment (normally 30 months after registration for full-time Researchers and 60 months after registration for part-time Researchers) you should initiate the process on PhD Manager (Final Assessment section) and notify the Research Director that you have submitted. Submission of one of the above items is imperative as it allows the faculty to monitor your progress and to liaise with your supervisors and the Doctoral College to provide support/advice as required.