GSB 3OCT11 6
Paper to GSB (3-10-2011) – Dr Nigel Cassidy
Revision to the 2-3 Doctoral/MPhil examination categories : Keele University CoP Annex A2.
Background
In the past two years there has been a growing concern (across all Research Institutes) about the number of “recommendation 3 – revise and re-submit” outcomes arising from PhD/MPhil examinations. It was agreed at RDC forum that the “recommendation 2 – minor corrections” policy/guidance given in Keele’s CoP be reviewed for consistency against other HEIs and national practices.
After a review of 12 institutions (of similar size, status, etc) it would appear that Keele’s recommendations are generally consistent apart from
a)the length of time required to complete minor corrections (currently 2 months) and,
b)what exactly warrants a “minor revision” decision (recommendation 2).
In the current CoP, there is an emphasis on the physical nature of the revisions at recommendation 2 level (i.e., style, quantity, etc) rather than the intellectual context/content (see Annex 2 extract at the end of this paper). This is out of line with other institutions and may cause examiners to be too restrictive in their recommendation.
We propose that...
The submission time limit for “Recommendation 2 ; minor revisions” be increased from 2 to 3 months (with the exception of 6 months), which is in line with other institutions. Note that this is the time from RDC decision to re-submission at the Records office.
The “Recommendation 2” guidance is revised slightly to emphasise that the recommendation 2 or 3 decision is based on the intellectual content of the thesis.
Retain the “Recommendation 3” criteria/guidance in its current form.
Instruct/advise viva chairs with clear instructions on how to apply the new guidance and update the “Guide to examiners” booklet.
Revised section of CoP Annex 2 (Recommendation 2) - additions in bold
Guidance : Minor revisions is the appropriate recommendation where the thesis is sound and virtually complete in terms of its aims, methods, results, interpretation and conclusions, but has minor errors, or is poorly assembled or presented. The required revisions fall typically within the following categories and should not require re-working or re-interpretation of the intellectual content of the thesis.
Typographical errors
Grammatical errors
Checking and correcting references
Presentation of bibliographical data
Improving aspects of figures (e.g. labeling, quality of reproduction)
Minor corrections of fact
Minor additional material
Minor revisions to interpretation of data, results, conclusions
Minor reorganisation of material
Minor rewriting of small portions of the text
The normal expectation is that Minor revisions will be completed within 23 months. However, examiners may recommend a longer period (up to a maximum of 6 months) if the nature of the revisions or the current circumstances of the candidate justify it. Examiners must justify any recommendation for an extended period.
Dr Nigel Cassidy
EPSAM PGR Director
3rd October 2011
Extract from Current Keele CoP for Postgraduate degrees : Annex A2
Recommendation 2 : The student be awarded the degree for which he or she has made a submission once revisions have been made to the thesis to the satisfaction of the examiner(s) named.
Guidance : Minor revisions is the appropriate recommendation where the thesis is sound and virtually complete in terms of its aims, methods, results, interpretation and conclusions, but has minor errors, or is poorly assembled or presented. The required revisions fall typically within the following categories:
Typographical errors
Grammatical errors
Checking and correcting references
Presentation of bibliographical data
Improving aspects of figures (e.g. labeling, quality of reproduction)
Minor corrections of fact
Minor additional material
Minor revisions to interpretation of data, results, conclusions
Minor reorganisation of material
Minor rewriting of small portions of the text
The normal expectation is that minor revisions will be completed within 2 months. However, examiners may recommend a longer period (up to a maximum of 6 months) if the nature of the revisions or the current circumstances of the candidate justify it. Examiners must justify any recommendation for an extended period.
Recommendation 3 : Although the required standard for the award for which the student has submitted has not been met, the submission is of sufficient merit to justify the student being permitted to re-present the thesis and to submit to a further oral examination within two calendar years from the date of the decision at the relevant meeting of Senate.
Guidance
Resubmission is the appropriate recommendation where the thesis is unsound or incomplete in terms of its aims, methods, results, interpretation or conclusions.
Substantial additional work is required which may lead to a significant change in the results, interpretation and conclusions. The required revisions fall typically within the following categories:
Reinterpretation of the data (including background literature)
Collection of new data or additional research to be carried out
Substantial rewriting of large portions of the text
Substantial additional material to be incorporated within the text
Substantial revisions to results and conclusions
Thorough revision of presentational matters which require a complete editing
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