Course Title: PhD Thesis B

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: PhD Thesis B

Credit Points: 48.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

NURS1246B

Bundoora Campus

Research

150H Health Sciences

Distance / Correspondence or Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 2 2007

NURS1246B

Bundoora Campus

Research

150H Health Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Phillip Maude

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7447

Course Coordinator Email: phillip.maude@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 201:7:16


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

In order to be eligible for direct entry into a PhD within the Division of Nursing & Midwifery, you must:

(a) be qualified for a degree of Master by Research of RMIT; or
(b) be qualified for a degree of Master by Coursework of RMIT (with 75% average grades) which includes a research program (eg minor thesis) a duration of at least one semester full-time (or part-time equivalent); or
(c) have qualified for a degree of Bachelor of RMIT with first class honours, or upper second class honours; or
(d) have qualified for another award deemed to be equivalent in character and standard to the above degrees (a,b,c);
(e) have such other qualifications or experience as the Division/School considers appropriate.

Candidates are also expected to successfully complete a postgraduate research methods subject, normally in the first semester of enrolment. Applications for exemptions from this requirement should be made to the Portfolio Higher Degrees Committee.

For further information, please refer to the RMIT Policy, Procedure and Regulation companion for Higher Degrees by Research: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master by Research (2002). This information can now be found at
* http://www.rmit.edu.au/research/hdr/policy

(or home > Research > Current research students > Policy and procedures)


Course Description

Candidates must persent a thesis (upper limit 90,000words) based on original research which, in addition to the qualities  required to be demonstrated for a Master Degree by Research, demonstrates a significant and original contribution of knowledge of fact and/or theory, independent critical thought, and the capacity to work independently of supervision.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Ability to independently:

  • undertake, manage and successfully complete an original research project
  • uphold agreed research ethics standards
  • through research extend the boundaries of knowledge
  • develop personal knowledge and diversity of experience - particularly in the skills of problem solving, creative endeavour and presentation of original research.

For further information, please refer to the RMIT Policy, Procedure and Regulation companion for Higher Degrees by Research: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master by Research (2002). This document can be viewed via the RMIT Home Page located at the following website address: http://www.rmit.edu.au  [click on Research/Prospective Students/Higher Degrees by Research – Policies and Procedures]).


For information on the expected learning outcomes of your program, please refer to the RMIT Policy, Procedure and Regulation companion for Higher Degrees by Research: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master by Research (2002). This document can be viewed via the RMIT Home Page located at the following website address: http://www.rmit.edu.au  [click on Research/Prospective Students/Higher Degrees by Research – Policies and Procedures]).

At the completion of your program should be able to independently:

  • Identify a significant research problem/issue relevant to the fields of nursing, midwifery, and/or health care
  • Develop appropriate research questions
  • Search, evaluate and critique (review) the relevant literature
  • Choose an appropriate methodology and method to advance the study
  • Develop a research proposal
  • Obtain formal approval of the research proposal from both institutional research and human research ethics committees
  • Implement and manage the study
  • Analyse and interpret the findings of the study in accordance with academics standards expected of PhD research
  • Ensure the rigour/credibility of research undertaken
  • Present the findings of the study in a form consistent with University regulations.
  • Communicate and disseminate research findings
  • Apply knowledge of the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NH&MRC) standards of ethical human research
  • Evaluate and apply research findings to relevant domains.


Overview of Learning Activities

Students are expected to meet (face-to-face) with their appointed supervisors normally once a fortnight and at least once per month at a time negotiated with the supervisors.

In consultation with an approved supervisors, candidates will be expected to:
• Identify a significant research problem relevant to the fields of nursing, midwifery, and mental health
• Develop appropriate research questions
• Choose an appropriate methodology and method to address the research questions identified
• Prepare a research application for approval by the University Higher Degrees by Research Committee
• Prepare an ethics application for approval by the Portfolio Human Research Ethics Committee (and other external ethics committees as required)
• Commence and complete the research program (once all approvals have been received)
• Present the findings of the study in a form consistent with the Division and University regulations.
• Submit annual and final ‘ethics monitoring’ reports to the Portfolio HREC
• Attendance at relevant research seminars/professional conferences

For further information, please refer to the RMIT Policy, Procedure and Regulation companion for Higher Degrees by Research: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master by Research (2002). This information can be found at
* http://www.rmit.edu.au/research/hdr/policy

(or home > Research > Current research students > Policy and procedures)


Overview of Learning Resources

  • Appointed supervisors
  • Library and electronic data base access to journals and other relevant literature
  • Relevant research seminars/forums


Overview of Assessment

For detailed information on the assessment requirements for your program, please refer to the RMIT Policy, Procedure and Regulation companion forHigher Degrees by Research: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master by Research (2002). This document can be  viewed via the RMIT Home Page located at the following website address: http://www.rmit.edu.au   [click on Research/Prospective Students/Higher Degrees by Research – Policies and Procedures]).

Formative:

  • Six (6) monthly progress reports attesting to timely achievement of program milestones (received and endorsed by the HDR Committee)
  • At least one presentation of thesis research at a research or professional development seminar
  • Annual and final reporting to the Portfolio’s Human Research Ethics (Sub)Committee (HREC)

Summative:
PhD Thesis of 90,000 words (maximum upper limit) being the final report of the PhD research project completed under supervision and submitted for examination in accordance with the University’s guidelines.