Chapter 7: Thesis and examination matters

7.6 Appointment of Examiners

It is strongly recommended that the nomination of two thesis examiners be forwarded by the candidate’s head of academic unit to the Monash University Institute of Graduate Research (MIGR) Office at least six weeks before the thesis is submitted, so that examiners can be finalised in advance of thesis submission and delays in dispatching the thesis avoided.

At least one of the proposed examiners must be external to the University. Holders of adjunct appointments at the University are not eligible to act as external examiners of theses.

It is expected that as a matter of normal practice, the head of the academic unit will first consult with the main supervisor with regard to the names of possible examiners. Candidates are entitled to participate in informal discussions regarding potential examiners, and supervisors should ensure that candidates are consulted. Candidates should also be invited to name individuals whom they do not wish appointed as examiners. After considering the recommendation of the head of academic unit, the Graduate Research Committee (GRC) appoints two examiners.

Choice of examiners is made with regard to their knowledge and standing in the field of study involved, but qualities such as reputation and experience in thesis examination should not be overlooked. A person who has had involvement in the candidate’s research should not be nominated. In addition to their scholarly standing, speediness in completing the examination and submitting a report, clarity of the examiner’s report and a reasonable expectation about the standard required of a research master’s thesis are important qualities to seek in potential examiners.

To ensure independence of the examination process, an examiner should not be nominated to examine a thesis if there is the potential for a conflict of interest with the candidate, supervisors, the University, subject matter or with another examiner. There are a range of circumstances which can lead to a conflict of interest. Consult the Guidelines on Conflict of Interest for Examination of Higher Degrees by Research Theses for further information.

Both examiners must be approached informally before the thesis is submitted and asked whether they are willing to examine. It is also appropriate at this stage to ask whether an examiner will be able to complete the examination within eight weeks from the estimated date of receipt of the thesis.

Potential examiners should also be informed that it is University practice to advise candidates of the names of the examiners at the time the thesis is sent for examination. In nominating examiners, the head of the academic unit is indicating that the nominated examiners have informally agreed to act. Where culturally sensitive material may have been reported in the work or where a patent-worthy discovery or invention arises from the research described in the thesis, it should be indicated to potential examiners that a formal confidentiality agreement may need to be completed before the thesis can be sent to them. Examiners should also be told if the thesis exceeds the word limit.

The thesis is forwarded to an examiner in confidence. An examiner is under an obligation to maintain confidentiality, and in no circumstances should they discuss the thesis or any part of the examination process with a third party without the prior approval of GRC.

As a condition of their appointment, examiners are asked to agree to candidates being advised of their identity. After the thesis has been submitted and subsequently dispatched for examination the names of the appointed examiners are formally advised to the candidate. Unedited copies of examiners’ reports are provided to the examinee at the same time as they are released to the head of the academic unit and supervisors.

7.6.1 Master of Fine Art

Two examiners are required, one of whom must be external to the University. At least one examiner must have qualifications which are equivalent to a research master’s degree, be experienced in the examination of master’s theses and be active in their field. Nomination of examiners must be submitted to the Faculty of Arts at the time of exegesis submission.

7.6.2 Master of Design (by Research)

Two examiners are required, one of whom must be external to the University. At least one examiner must have qualifications which are equivalent to a research master’s degree, be experienced in the examination of master’s theses and be active in their field. Nomination of examiners must be submitted to the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture at the time of exegesis submission.

7.6.3 Master of Arts (Creative Writing)

Two examiners are recommended, one of whom must be external to Monash University. At least one examiner must have qualifications which are equivalent to a research master’s degree, be experienced in the examination of master’s theses and be active in their field.

7.6.4 Master of Arts (Music Composition)

Two examiners are recommended by the School of Music – Conservatorium. The School will ensure that nominated examiners are chosen on the basis of their knowledge and standing in the field of musical composition. At least one of the examiners must be external to the University.

7.6.5 Master of Arts (Music Performance)

Examiners must have qualifications equivalent to a Master of Arts research degree, be experienced in the examination of performance theses and be active in their field.

Three persons, each external to the University, shall be nominated. Two nominees will be appointed as examiners and will attend the live music performance and undertake the examination of the full work (music performance and written exegesis). The third nominee will attend the live music performance but will hold their report on file, to be used only should the appointment of an adjudicator or replacement examiner become necessary in the examination process.

The nomination of examiners must be submitted to the MIGR Office at least six weeks prior to the scheduled live music performance. This time frame is important to ensure the attendance of the examiners at the performance. Supervisors and/or School of Music must provide the examiner nominees with the details of the live performance event when requesting their agreement to act as an examiner or reserve examiner.

7.6.6 Master of Arts (Theatre Performance)

Examiners must have qualifications equivalent to a Master of Arts research degree, be experienced in the examination of performance theses and be active in their field.

Three persons, each external to the University, shall be nominated. Two nominees will be appointed as examiners and will undertake the examination of the full work (performance project and written exegesis). The third nominee will attend the live presentation of the performance, if appropriate for the examination of the creative project, but will hold their report on file, to be used only should the appointment of an adjudicator or replacement examiner become necessary in the examination process.

The nomination of examiners must be submitted to the MIGR Office at least six weeks prior to the scheduled live presentation of the performance. This time frame is important to ensure the attendance of the examiners at the performance. Supervisors and/or academic units must provide the nominees with the details of the live performance event when requesting their agreement to act as an examiner or reserve examiner.

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