Doctoral Examination Handbook

Version 5 - January 2011

Preface

The final quality assurance step in the doctoral process is the examination. At Massey University this is a two part process with the first involving three examiners writing independent Thesis Assessment Reports. The second part is the oral examination which is a very important and integral part of the doctoral examination process at Massey University. The facilitation of the oral and subsequent follow-up actions are the responsibility of an independent convenor. Convenors are neutral participants in the examination process and invariably are experienced researchers and research supervisors. For examinations involving creative works, the process is essentially the same, but it may also include an exhibition/installation/performance. This handbook provides answers to some frequently asked questions together with details of the doctoral examination process at Massey University and the role of the different participants in that process. It also considers the key roles played by the doctoral examination committee.

Table of contents

• Frequently asked questions
• Responsibilities of participants in the examination process
  • Supervisors
  • Candidates
• Thesis submission
  • Candidate’s responsibilities
  • Graduate Research School responsibilities
• Oral examination
  • Graduate Research School responsibilities
  • Convenor’s responsibilities
  • Supervisor’s role
  • Conduct of the oral
  • Typical oral examination process
• Determining the examination result
  • Convenor’s responsibilities
• Policy and procedures for adjudication of doctoral examinations
• Advising the candidate of the result
  • Convenor’s responsibilities
  • Hosting the examiners, supervisor(s), and candidate
• Process for re-examination
  • Candidate’s responsibilities
  • Graduate Research School responsibilities
  • Convenor’s responsibilities
  • Advising the candidate of the result
• Post-oral examination
  • Convenor’s responsibilities
  • Candidate’s access to the examiner’s reports
  • Clarification of the result
  • Graduate Research School responsibilities
  • Finalising of examination result
  • Candidate’s responsibilities
  • Public record
  • Graduation
• Appendices
  • Flowcharts

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Last updated on Monday 04 April 2011