Research

Candidates without oral examination

Process overview

Your examination of an HDR candidate consists of a thesis evaluation.

Read the entire thesis and provide a summary and written report based on the following criteria.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidates

  • Does the candidate demonstrate a significant and original contribution to knowledge?
  • Does the candidate engage with the literature and the work of others?
  • Does the candidate show an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods relating to the applicable discipline?
  • Is there a clear and discernible coherence in the presented research, its arguments and conclusions?
  • Is the thesis clearly, accurately, and cogently written?

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) candidates

  • Does the candidate show originality in the application of knowledge?
  • Does the candidate engage with the literature and the work of others?
  • Does the candidate show an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods relating to the applicable discipline?
  • Is there a clear and discernible coherence in the presented research, its arguments and conclusions?
  • Is the thesis clearly, accurately, and cogently written?

Assessment

Based on your assessment you’re asked to recommend one of the following:

  • Pass
  • Pass with changes
  • Revise and resubmit thesis for examination.

In all cases, your written report should justify the recommendation and provide enough detail to allow the candidate to prepare responses.

Evaluation timeframe

Your report should be submitted to the UQ Graduate School no later than 5 weeks after you receive the thesis for evaluation. 

If you require additional time, contact the Graduate School’s progressions and examinations team at thesis@gradschool.uq.edu.au.

What happens next

Once your report has been received, the Dean of the Graduate School will make a recommendation on the outcome of the examination based on both examiners’ reports.

Once your report has been reviewed by the Dean, it will be released to the candidate and their principal advisor with the outcome of the examination.

By this stage in the examination process, the candidate is aware of the examiners’ identities, but is not allowed to contact them. Similarly, you are requested not to contact the candidate or their advisors. All communication should be conducted through the Chair of examiners.