Open and flexible Phd study and research [EIP 97/16]

The objectives of the study were to investigate the extent and nature of flexible structures and mechanisms for enhancing PhD supervision on- and off- and across-campus; identify examples of innovations which are best practice and evaluate and docuemnt such cases for dissemination in the higher eudcation system. The report addresses such issues as the quality of graduate research education, the effectiveness of supervision and completion times as a measure of efficiency. The report draws on a population of candidates which is diverse in terms of their age, sex, the institution of enrolments and the candidates' geographic origin and with respect to the discipline base of the program of study. 

Vice-chancellors from universities in all of the states were notified of the report and they advised a contact person for further liaison. The study also collated a network of contacts in postgraduate organisations in Australian universities. Correspondence through E-mail were sent and meetings conducted with these contacts in all the metropolitan areas as well as two remote locations. Interviews were also conducted with academics with the responsibility of graduate education, administrators, supervisors, PhD students, and members of local postgraduate associations.
The study identifies examples of innovations which are best practice in flexible structures and mechanisms for on- and off-, and across-campus.  This research was funded under the Evaluations and Investigations Programme (EIP).

Executive summary: view HTML  

Report: download PDF    (523 KB, 155 pages)