Chapter 7: Thesis and examination matters

7.5 Staff PhD and MD (unsupervised) candidates

The thesis for those admitted to staff PhD or MD (unsupervised) candidature is normally based on published or unpublished papers, which together should demonstrate a general theme. In the case of staff PhD candidates at least 75% of the research in these papers must have been conducted during the period of employment at Monash University.

Given the nature of these forms of candidature, some publications included in the thesis may have been superseded by subsequent research which nevertheless has built upon the earlier work. In such cases, candidates are advised to identify recent advances in the field in the linking passages in the thesis, so that the earlier foundation work can be placed in the appropriate context.

Where joint or multi-authored papers are incorporated into the thesis, a statement signed by the candidate and the other authors indicating the relative contribution of each must be included in the thesis. However, work undertaken in association with another candidate who has been supervised by the submitting candidate at any time, or work that has been or will be presented by the second candidate for another degree, may not be included.

7.5.1 Staff PhD candidates in practice-based degrees

Staff PhD candidates submitting a thesis in one of the practice-based degrees identified in Sections 1.3.5 to 1.3.10 must meet any requirements governing the relationship of the exegesis to the practice-based component. The exegesis may be submitted as a single document, a series of published or unpublished papers, or as a combination of a framing and linking and concluding papers. Overall, the material presented for examination needs to equate to that which would otherwise be presented for the degree as required under Section 1.3.5 to 1.3.10.

Extent of the candidate’s contribution in the case of multi-authored musical works

The initiation, key ideas, development and documentation of each of the multi-authored works within the music composition folio should be the primary responsibility of the candidate.

Documentation of the candidate’s contribution in the case of multi-authored musical works

The critical commentary should identify all parts or elements of multi-authored works that have been created by other authors. It should also explain how these parts or elements have been created.

Staff candidates in practice-based degrees must also provide evidence that 75% of both the practical and exegesis component was conducted during the period of employment at Monash University.

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