Chapter 7: Thesis and examination matters

7.1 Preparation, presentation and submission of theses

The following guidelines outline the normal practice for the preparation and presentation of research master’s theses. A candidate should seek the approval of the Graduate Research Steering Committee (GRSC) if thesis preparation requires any major departure from these guidelines. Such a request should be supported by a statement from the head of the academic unit.

7.1.1 Length of theses

The word length for a thesis does not include footnotes, references or appendices, nor does it include equations, tables, diagrams or other illustrations. Where it is proposed that a thesis will exceed the specified maximum length, a request must be submitted to GRSC. Requests of this nature must be made well in advance of the thesis being submitted for examination.

Degree	Maximum thesis length (words or time)
MPhil	50,000
Master of Arts (Art, Design & Architecture)	40,000
Master of Fine Art	Exhibition of visual work produced during candidacy; and Exegesis of 20,000 (with a photographic record of the visual work being bound into the document)
Master of Design (by Research)	Exhibition of design work produced during candidacy; and Exegesis of 20,000 (with a photographic record of the design work being bound into the document)
Master of Arts (Faculty of Arts)	40,000
Master of Arts (Creative Writing)	Piece of creative writing 25,000; and Exegesis of 15,000 (total for examination not to exceed 40,000)
Master of Arts (Music Composition)	Folio of music compositions between 45 minutes; and Exegesis of 15,000
Master of Arts (Music Performance)	60-minute solo or solo and ensemble recital (66% of the portfolio); 1500-word recital annotation booklet for the 60-minute recital (10%); and Exegesis of 9000 words (24%)
Master of Arts (Theatre Performance)	Performance project 60 minutes; and Exegesis of 15,000
Master of Bioethics	40,000
Master of Environmental Science	40,000
Master of Arts by Research and Coursework	25,000
Master of Environmental Science by Research and Coursework	25,000
Master of Education (Research)(research only)	40,000
Master of Education (Research) (with coursework)	25,000
Master of Engineering Science (Research)	50,000
Master of Information Technology (Research)	50,000
Master of Information Management and Systems (Research)	50,000
Master of Business Systems (Research)	50,000
Master of Laws (Research)	50,000
Master of Biomedical Science	50,000
Master of Nursing (Research)	50,000
Master of Reproductive Sciences	50,000
Master of Social Work (Research)	40,000
Master of Surgery	50,000
Master of Pharmaceutical Science	50,000
Master of Science	50,000

7.1.2 Alternative theses

7.1.2.1 Master of Fine Art

In the case of the Master of Fine Art, both the visual work and exegesis submitted must have been produced during the candidacy. The visual work will characteristically demonstrate the candidate’s artistic, intellectual and critical rigour of a high standard which constitutes a substantial contribution to/or a synthesis of existing knowledge with a demonstrated capacity for independent research at an advanced level.

The exegesis is an investigative and critical paper which clarifies and develops the artistic, aesthetic, ideological, theoretical and philosophical issues and concerns that inform the work whilst contextualising the visual research, its method, development and resolution of the project in the context of literature relevant to the discipline.

7.1.2.2 Master of Design (by Research)

In the case of the Master of Design (by Research), both the visual work and the exegesis submitted must have been produced during the candidacy. The visual work will comprise a new body of design work that demonstrates artistic, intellectual and critical rigour of a high standard which constitutes a substantial contribution to/or a synthesis of existing knowledge that demonstrates the capacity for independent research at an advanced level. 

The exegesis is an investigative and critical paper which clarifies and develops the artistic, aesthetic, ideological, theoretical and philosophical issues and concerns that inform the work whilst contextualising the visual research, its method, development and resolution of the project in the context of literature relevant to the discipline.

7.1.2.3 Master of Arts (Creative Writing)

In the case of Master of Arts (Creative Writing), both the creative writing component and the exegesis submitted must have been produced during candidacy. The creative writing component will characteristically demonstrate the candidate's grasp of a research methodology relevant to creative processes, research skills in the handling of language in multiple discursive contexts, and in investigating relevant aspects of intertextuality and paratextuality.

The exegesis will place the research demonstrated in the creative piece in the context of wider literary research fields, explain the particular research question(s) being addressed, and will demonstrate that the candidate has appropriate scholarly skills and can develop a self-reflexive critique of the project, as required by the concept of a research degree.

7.1.2.4 Master of Arts (Music Composition)

In the case of Master of Arts (Music Composition), the thesis will normally consist of a folio of original compositions (recorded), and a bound, written exegesis.

The folio must include one substantial piece of work of a large ensemble and/or electroacoustic media, and one piece of work that makes competent use of music technology. The critical commentary must address the following:

• formulation of aesthetic arguments that provide a conceptual basis for the submitted compositions;
• research and development of compositional approaches and techniques;
• aesthetic placement and stylistic predecessors; and
• sonic realisation and performance context).

Candidates will also be expected to conduct research in the School’s sound studios and/or their home studio

Candidates will be required to attend the School of Music’s graduate seminars and present a seminar on their own compositional research.

All of the compositional activities and their documentation take place in personal consultations between the candidate and the supervisor(s).
An exegesis of between 10,000 and 15,000 words is required. The exegesis should be scholarly in character, and, at a minimum, address the following:

• explication of aesthetic arguments that provide the conceptual basis for the submitted compositions;
• research and development of compositional approaches, processes, and techniques;
• aesthetic placement and stylistic predecessors; and
• performance context.

7.1.2.5 Master of Arts (Music Performance)

In the case of the Master of Arts (Music Performance), the thesis as examined will normally consist of a live performance, which will be recorded; a program booklet; and a bound, written exegesis as follows:

• 60-minute solo or solo and ensemble recital which exemplifies the original solutions found to the research problems isolated in the written work, recorded on CD in the School (66% of the portfolio). Each candidate is encouraged to include at least one premiere or Australian premiere performance in his/her recital program;
• 1500-word recital annotation booklet for the 60-minute recital (10%); and
• exegesis of 9000 words on the proposed solution(s) to problems arising in carrying out the research in a bound folder (24%).

7.1.2.6 Master of Arts (Theatre Performance)

In the case of Master of Arts (Theatre Performance), both the performance project and the critical commentary submitted must have been produced during candidacy.

The performance project should embody, in the broadest sense, evidence of the candidate’s research into the social, historical and performance contexts of the project. It should also embody evidence of the candidate’s research into theoretical issues germane to the project, and demonstrate that the candidate has developed the capacity to manipulate the aesthetic elements of the chosen practice genre in order to make an advanced work for theatre performance.

The exegesis should demonstrate that the candidate has developed the capacity to research and address contextual, methodological and/or theoretical issues that relate to the performance project. It should demonstrate that the candidate has acquired the ability to research and analyse creative processes or concerns related to the production of a theatre performance.

7.1.3 Thesis Preparation

The responsibility for the layout of the thesis and selection of the title rests with the candidate after discussion with the supervisory team. The candidate should state generally in the preface, bibliography, and by citation methods appropriate to the discipline, the sources of the information and the extent to which the thesis draws on the works of others. Full and appropriate attribution is essential. Candidates should note the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research statements on ethics and integrity in research.

Candidates intending to publish their thesis online in the Monash University Research Repository should ensure they have secured all the necessary copyright permissions. More information is also available in Chapter 6: Intellectual property

7.1.3.1 Restrictions on thesis content

Except where the Graduate Research Committee in any particular case otherwise determines, a candidate must not present in, or in support of, a thesis any work –

• which the candidate, or any candidate supervised by the candidate, has presented, or is intended to be presented, for another award of Monash University or any other tertiary institution; or
• which has been prepared by, or in conjunction with, a person for whom the candidate is, or has been, a supervisor.

7.1.4 Thesis based on published or unpublished papers

For each joint or multi-authored paper that forms part of the thesis, a Declaration for Thesis Chapter must be completed and included in the thesis. The declaration is a statement signed by the candidate and other authors indicating the relative contribution of each to the paper.

These papers will have been written up during the course of candidature and will be based upon research undertaken during the course of candidature.

In the case of a candidate considering transferring to Monash University from another institution, and proposing to submit a thesis by publication utilising work carried out during candidature at that institution, then such work can only be included in a thesis submitted for examination at Monash University subject to:

• it being based upon research undertaken during the course of current candidature;
• it not having been presented for any other degree by the candidate; and
• the completion and inclusion in the thesis of authorship declaration(s) as appropriate.

Where a thesis in part or whole consists of a series of papers that become the central body of the work, a coherent research theme should be established.

For further information please refer to the thesis by publication web page.

7.1.5 Acknowledgement of editing assistance

The Graduate Research Committee has endorsed the Guidelines for Editing Research Theses which form part of the Australian Standards for Editing Practices (revised by the Institute of Professional Editors and approved by the Deans and Directors of Graduate Studies in November 2010).

Where a thesis or dissertation is to have input from a professional editor, the candidate must obtain written permission from the supervisor for editing. The candidate should supply to the editor a copy of this permission, along with the manuscript.

Professional editorial intervention should be restricted to matters of language, illustrations, completeness and consistency. Where a professional editor provides advice on matters of structure, exemplars only should be given.

Material for editing or proofreading should be submitted in either hard or soft copy. Candidates must then consider whether or not to accept each suggested editorial change.

The name of the editor and a brief description of the service rendered should be included in the acknowledgements or other prefatory matter of the thesis when it is presented for examination. If the professional editor's current or former area of academic specialisation is similar to that of the candidate, this too should be stated in the prefatory matter, as it may suggest to examiners that the editor's advice to the candidate has extended beyond guidance on English expression to affect the substance and structure of the thesis.

Supervisors are reminded that as part of the thesis submission that they must certify to the best of their knowledge that "any editorial assistance in the writing of the thesis has been appropriately described and acknowledged".

7.1.6 Printing

Reproduction and binding of the thesis copies are the responsibility of the candidate.

For ease of reading it is preferred that the text spacing be double or one-and-a-half spacing, however candidates may choose single spacing. A font not less than 10 points must be used for the main text.

A thesis should be printed on International A4 paper. Both sides of the paper may be used, at the discretion of the candidate. If both sides are used, special care must be taken in the placing of margins.

7.1.7 General formatting

Margins should not be less than 2.5 centimetres on the binding edge and 1.5 centimetres on the other outer edges to allow for binding and trimming.

The thesis should incorporate, in the following order: 

• Title page, giving the title of the thesis in full, the names and the degrees of the candidate, the name of the academic unit in which the candidate is enrolled and the date of thesis submission;
• Table of contents;
• Summary (abstract) of not more than 500 words;
• An original signed statement to the effect that the thesis, except with the Graduate Research Committee’s approval, contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other institution and affirms that to the best of the candidate’s knowledge the thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference is made in the text of the thesis. In the case of theses by publication, where the work in the thesis is based on joint research or publications, the statement should indicate this fact and that the relative contributions of the other contributing authors have been disclosed at the commencement of each results chapter in the 'Declaration for Thesis Chapter';
• An acknowledgment of any help given or work carried out by another person or organisation including acknowledgement of professional editing;
• The main text;
• List of references or bibliography; and
• Appendices, if any.

7.1.8 Reference citation

Citation of books should include name(s) of authors (surname and initials); title of book; edition (if relevant); place of publication; publisher and year of publication. Where necessary, the relevant pages should be cited. Citations of articles in periodicals and journals should follow the rules of citation adopted by one or other of the leading journals in the relevant field or discipline. Whichever format is adopted should then be used consistently throughout the thesis.

If a reference has many authors usually only the first is given followed by ‘et al’ to indicate that there are others.
Entries in the reference list or bibliography should be set out in alphabetical order of the authors’ family names. Candidates may find the following resources helpful: 

• Monash University Library - Citing and referencing;
• Style Manual : For Authors Editors & Printers, 6th Edition (AGPS), 2002;
• AusinfoManual for Writers of Research Papers Theses & Dissertations, 7th edition, Turabian K, University of Chicago Press, 2007.

For guides to specific subject areas, inquire either through the appropriate branch library or academic unit.

7.1.9 Diagrams, figures and tables

The following are general suggestions for normal practice:

• Diagrams and figures, etc. should be included at the appropriate place in the text
• Where the thesis is printed on only one side of the page figures should form a right-hand page with the legend either at the bottom or, if necessary, on the page facing the figures
• Figures may be interspersed throughout the text
• Printed graphics must be of photographic resolution and quality
• Tables should be inserted in the appropriate place in the text, except for lengthy or bulky tables which should appear as appendices
• Diagrams, maps, tables, etc. exceeding A4 size should be folded so as to read as a right-hand page when open.

7.1.10 Binding

Theses may be submitted in either hard binding (sewn and bound with stiff covers covered with cloth) or soft thermal binding. The following information must be printed on the spine, irrespective of whether hard binding or soft thermal binding is used (in the case of soft-bound copies, this requires 'perfect binding', that is the card cover is wrapped around the thermally bound copy):

• Title of thesis (abbreviated if necessary);
• Family name of candidate (first name is optional);
• The title of the degree, e.g. ‘Master of Arts’ (or approved abbreviation, e.g. MA; see list below)
• The year of submission;
• Volume number - if more than one thesis volume.

Inclusion of this information on the front cover is optional.

Approved abbreviations:

MPhil	MEd(Thesis&Crswrk)
MFA	MEngSc(Res)
MDes(Res)	MBusSys (Research)
MA	MIMS(Research)
MA(CreatWrit)	MIT(Res)
MA (Mus Composition)	LLM (Research)
MA (Theatre Perf)	MBiomedSc
MBioeth	MNsg(Research)
MEnvSc	MSocWk (Research)
MA(Res&Cw)	MSurg
MAMusPerf	MRepSc
MEnvSc (Res&Cw)	MPharmSc
MEd	MSc

The candidate must use the name under which they are officially enrolled at the University in the thesis and on all forms and documents submitted to the Monash University Institute of Graduate Research Office. This name must be the name that features on their birth certificate, passport or other legal document. An alternative name will not be accepted unless an official document such as a deed poll or marriage certificate to prove change of name is provided.

The candidate should also ensure that the thesis title on all submission documents is consistent with that printed on the thesis copies, except for any abbreviation made on the thesis cover or spine to ensure best fit. In that case, the full thesis title must feature on all other forms and documents.

When published papers are submitted as additional evidence, they should be bound at the back of the thesis as appendices.
Electronic storage media (CD/DVD) must be inserted inside the back cover of each thesis copy.
Only professional thermal binding is acceptable; loose-leaf, spiral, spring-type or screw-type binding is not acceptable.
Two hard-bound copies must be provided for the award of degree to be ratified.

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