CAPÍTULO 3: EL CONSTRUCTIVISMO SOCIAL COMO MARCO TEÓRICO DE
3.1 Teoría del Constructivismo social
3.1.2 El Constructivismo social en el género académico
Contents
Introduction 59 Enrolment 60
Enrolment for Successful Applicants 60
Pre-enrolment for Current Candidates 61
Candidates Failing to Pre-enrol 62
Candidates Failing to Enrol 62
Facilities 62
Student Induction and Orientation 63
Probation 64
Research Skills Training 65
Reviewing Progress 66
Research and Writing Skills Courses 66
Presentation Skills 67
Setting Benchmarks and Steps for Progression 68
Annual Progress Report 68
Annual Progress Interview 71
Student Support 73
Show Cause 76
Grievance Appeals 78
Variations to Candidature 80
Candidature Variation Procedures 82
Variation of Candidature and Scholarships 85
Variation of Candidature and International Candidates 86
Maternity Leave 86
Responsibilities 86
Relevant Policies and Documents 92
Introduction
This chapter covers the administrative components for the core of the RHD candidature from commencement of the degree through the subsequent years of research.
The chapter includes brief details about enrolment and pre-enrolment, the provision of facilities to candidates, and orientation. It also details a range of different options
to candidates. The processes used for the review of a candidate’s progression at probation and annually through the Annual Progress Review are detailed, including the options provided by the University for additional support for individual students. In cases where candidates are not progressing faculties may need to ask the candidates to show good cause why their candidature should not be terminated and examples of procedures for this and the current appeals mechanism have been included. Possible variations to candidature, such as suspensions and transfers are explained and the different faculty processes listed. Finally the policies associated with RHD candidature have been collated and presented under the levels of responsibility within the University and a list of relevant policies and documents is given at the end of the chapter.
As in previous chapters examples of best practice being undertaken currently within the University are presented in boxes throughout the chapter and examples are referred to with the symbol f. In most cases where processes are clearly defined in other University documents a brief outline is provided and readers are referred to the relevant document.
Enrolment
Enrolment for RHDs can be undertaken at any time of year, however the majority of faculties prefer their applicants to enrol during the standard enrolment periods between January – March and July – August. It should be noted that enrolment facilities are generally unavailable until mid January for any given year and therefore early enrolment is restricted. In addition enrolment outside the standard enrolment periods can be disadvantageous to students, particularly international students, and the IO has put together an information sheet (appendix 7.1) for faculties to consider before allowing enrolments outside the standard periods.
Candidates re-enrolling for the degree can do so online during the pre-enrolment period from October - November. The Student Centre gives detailed training and information sessions regarding enrolment to faculties each year and therefore this manual will only give a brief description of the processes.
Enrolment for Successful Applicants
Applicants enrolling for the first time normally visit the University in person. Alternative arrangements can be made for those unable to attend, such as those situated outside of the Sydney metropolitan area and faculties should speak to the Student Centre for details. Prior to enrolment the IO makes arrangements regarding fee payments and health cover, and the International Student Support Unit offers a number of orientations which give international applicants details about becoming established in Australia. Once the applicant has finalized arrangements, the IO generates an enrolment form for the applicant on FlexSIS.
Faculties are responsible for generating enrolment forms for all local students on
FlexSIS. All enrolment forms are printed externally and delivered to the Student Centre for collection by the faculties. It is important for faculties to ensure that they have enrolment forms for all successful applicants prior to the enrolment period.
All potential students must then attend the relevant faculty for Stage 1 of the enrolment process. Faculties enrol applicants on FlexSIS, determine the fee categories, complete the enrolment form and arrange for applicants to complete any NSW Health forms (ie the Criminal Records Check, Prohibited Employment Forms and Vaccination Cards). All applicants become candidates once enrolled on FlexSIS. At this stage faculties can inform candidates of any faculty requirements and of any induction information or orientation sessions f.
Candidates then progress to Stage 2, which is usually held by the Student Centre in sites set up around the University’s campuses. At Stage 2 local candidates pay any
outstanding fees (although this is unlikely as the majority of candidates will be funded by the Research Training Scheme, see Chapter 3 Financial Support for details), have their documentation, fee categories and contact details checked, give disability information and Department of Education, Science and Training statistical information, obtain UniKey details (for accessing the University intranet) and the current year’s What You Need to Know document which is printed by the Student Centre and contains critical information for students regarding enrolment (also available at
www.usyd.edu.au/current_students/student_administration/enrolment/2009_enrolment.sh tml).
Candidates are then asked to go to Stage 3, also held in multiple sites around the
University, in order to obtain a Student Card. This will include a photo of the candidate and a transport concession, if eligible.
Pre-enrolment for Current Candidates
Research candidates need to re-enrol each year. This should be done online via MyUni (login via www.usyd.edu.au/current_students/) during October, the deadline for
completing pre-enrolment online is usually set in mid November.
Occasionally candidates will be unable to pre-enrol online, such as candidates returning from suspension. In these circumstances candidates should complete a paper based pre- enrolment form, available at www.usyd.edu.au/studentcentre/enrolments/preenrol.shtml, and forward it to the faculty office. The faculty should then process the pre-enrolment on FlexSIS and file the form on the student file.
f Best Practice The Faculty of Arts gives all applicants enrolling with the Faculty a copy of the Faculty Handbook.
In early January all pre-enrolments are converted to enrolments, however if there are any problems relating to the enrolment, ie a candidate has not paid fees, then the conversion might fail. Such candidates will be notified and asked to contact the faculty to arrange enrolment in person.
Candidates Failing to Pre-enrol
Despite frequent reminders candidates regularly forget to pre-enrol and others find that their pre-enrolment failed to convert to an enrolment for technical reasons. In such an instance candidates should follow the enrolment procedure listed in the section
Enrolment for Successful Applicants above. Candidates Failing to Enrol
Unless a faculty has given approval to a candidate for a suspension, it is a requirement for all RHD candidates to re-enrol each year. Only work undertaken whilst enrolled for the degree should be presented in the thesis, candidates are only insured whilst enrolled and a candidate must be enrolled in order to submit a thesis for examination. Additionally, the University is required by law to report all international students, on a student visa, who fail to enrol and such students may be deported. It is therefore imperative that the candidate remain enrolled at all times.
Despite frequent reminders and the best efforts of the Student Centre and faculties RHD candidates do at times fail to enrol. In circumstances where candidates have failed to enrol, without approval, for a semester or more, faculties can arrange to enrol the
candidate, by generating an enrolment form and following the procedure listed above the section Enrolment for Successful Applicants f.
Facilities
To date the University has no set minimum requirements for the facilities given to RHD candidates and the facilities offered by different faculties do vary. For example, Science candidates often require laboratory space and Sydney College of the Arts candidates generally require studio space. It is essential that the facilities required to undertake the project successfully are arranged prior to admission and that applicants are advised of the facilities offered by individual faculties prior to enrolment.
f Best Practice If candidates fail to re-enrol for the degree, some faculties ask candidates to re-apply. The Faculties of Dentistry, Medicine and Pharmacy ask candidates to complete a Request to be Reinstated form (see appendix 7.2), so that the candidate can continue with the same candidature but also to ensure that the candidates understand the need to re-enrol in future years.
Most faculties in the University provide specific postgraduate rooms with computer, office and common room facilities. Unfortunately many faculties have very limited space available for their candidates, although it should be noted that substantial changes are currently underway to address this issue. In order to manage a limited number of desks available to postgraduates, a number of different strategies are being used f. After consultation with the University, SUPRA has developed a policy on Entitlements for Postgraduate Students, available at
www.usyd.edu.au/supra/documents/Entitlementspolicy.pdf. This could act as a guide for faculties future planning.
Student Induction and Orientation
The University provides a central induction program for postgraduate candidates at the beginning of each semester. This is held by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education). In 2009 the induction included sessions by: the Vice Chancellor, the Acting Dean of
Graduate Studies, the Deputy Chair of the Academic Board, and the Director of the Research Office.
Introductions were also given by the Library, ICT, SUPRA, the Careers Centre, University of Sydney Union, Student Services (Counselling, Disability Services & Accommodation, Learning Centre, International Student Services) and International Student Support Unit.
Some subjects covered by the induction include: an introduction to the University of Sydney, an overview of postgraduate scholarships and the Postgraduate Research Support Scheme, career opportunities, ethics approvals and administration, the SREQ, the PG Handbook, Policy Online, Faculty Handbooks, SUPRA publications, the IP Rule, dealing with issues, and how to be successful when undertaking postgraduate study.
The IO also runs a number of different orientation programs for newly arriving and newly commencing international students which cover information from housing to services and resources of the University.
The library regularly runs introductory sessions on the use of its resources for postgraduate students and classes can be arranged specifically for faculties or departments, see www.library.usyd.edu.au/skills/classes.html.
f Best Practice Arts, Economics and Business, Education and Social Work and Health Sciences are making use of the ‘hot desk’ system, where a number of desks, rather than being given to specific students are available to a group of students to use, when available. The Faculty of Education and Social Work is also offering all full-time candidates the option of having a specified desk or a lap-top computer.
Faculties should ensure that candidates are given an orientation or induction program early in their candidature, either by the faculty or by the schools and departments within the facultyf.
To cater for part-time candidates, it can be useful to run orientation sessions in the late afternoon / early evening to ensure all candidates are able to attend.
Orientations should advise research candidates of the University and faculty resources, relevant faculty policies and the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, the University of Sydney (Intellectual Property) Rule 2002, the Code of Conduct for Responsible Research Practice, the AV-CC Guidelines for Responsible Practice in Research, the University of Sydney Student Code of Conduct, Occupational Health and Safety Policies and Ethics Policies.
Probation
Research higher degree candidates may be admitted to candidature on a probationary basis. This is a useful tool to ensure that candidates make a good start on their project early in candidature and also places an important emphasis on the need for review in those early stages of candidature.
Candidates of the PhD may only be on probation for a maximum of 1 year (whether full f Best Practice The Faculty of Education and Social Work runs orientation sessions in each semester. Firstly candidates are taken on a tour of the Education Building. Secondly a standard orientation session is run with an introduction to the faculty and its resources and an overview of the candidates’ responsibilities and keys to success. Finally a session is held which looks at supervisor-candidate relations, the expectations of each party and options for dispute resolutions (an example of the schedule is included in appendix 7.3).
The Faculty of Economics and Business runs compulsory orientation sessions which include a research writing course run by the learning centre specifically for the faculty. At orientation the Faculty of Engineering and IT gives all students a package containing a welcome to the Faculty, details of Faculty requirements, useful contacts, administration information, scholarship information, submission and thesis examination details, relevant sections of the postgraduate handbook, thesis allowance details and relevant University policies.
The Faculties of Dentistry, Education and Social Work, Medicine and Pharmacy give commencing research candidates an Induction Checklist (see appendix 7.4 for the
checklist used by Education and Social Work) to complete with their supervisor. This acts as a trigger mechanism to ensure that the candidate is aware of all the issues relating to candidature at the commencement of the degree.
time or part time) and masters and professional doctorate candidates are subject to the faculty degree resolutions (see the relevant faculty handbook at
www.usyd.edu.au/handbooks/index.shtml).
If a candidate is admitted on a probationary basis, the candidate’s work must be reviewed at the end of this periodf. In most faculties this is completed simultaneously with the Annual Progress Review and the Annual Progress Report includes a question relating to probation for first year candidates. However, as most faculties only undertake the
Annual Progress Review once a year, an additional set of reviews may be required within first semester for those candidates commencing in July/August.
In general the supervisor and PGC must make a recommendation to the associate dean to either confirm or terminate candidature. Confirmation of candidature can be subject to conditions.
It should be noted that the Committee for Graduate Studies resolved that confirmation of candidature at the end of the probationary period should include a statement about the written English expression of the candidate, appropriate to the field of study, to ensure identification of problems and instigation of remedial actions for those who are likely to have difficulty with English expression in the writing of a thesis.
Additional requirements for meeting probation can be set by faculties, some examples include writing a satisfactory component of the thesis, giving presentations of their work, successfully completing specific units of study, literature reviews and publishing work.
Research Skills Training
The University is very keen to ensure that candidates for research degrees are well supported throughout candidature and that they are provided with all the training and resources necessary to ensure that the project and thesis are both successful and that our graduates have the research expertise necessary to aid them in their future careers. Faculties and departments (with PGC approval) may require PhD candidates to attend lectures, seminar courses or practical work courses or to undertake courses and, if required, the assessment for such courses if it is felt that this will aid the project and the candidate.
Many faculties have added formal requirements to all their research degrees and others are frequently using a range of courses on an ad hoc basis. As candidates admitted into f Best Practice The Faculties of Architecture, Dentistry, Medicine and Pharmacy have developed specific Probation Review Report forms, see appendix 7.5. The forms are completed by the supervisor, followed by the PGC and then sent to the faculty for approval of the associate dean. The candidates are then notified by faculty staff of the outcome.
research degrees come from such a wide range of backgrounds, with vastly different prior research training, it is seen as important to allow flexibility in this area. Some faculties obtain a majority of their HDR candidates from their own honours programs, which are specifically designed to provide students with the research training required. Others obtain large numbers of students directly from coursework degrees or the professional work force and therefore have implemented more formal requirements of research methods units of study. f
The Learning Centre offers a range of free courses specifically designed to assist HDR candidates improve their research skills and faculties are encouraged to recommend these to their HDR candidates. The courses currently available are listed below:
• Preparing for Postgraduate Study (Research),
• Preparing a Thesis Proposal,
• Writing a Literature Review,
• Overview of a Thesis,
• Writing Introductions,
• Conclusions and Abstracts,
• Writing up Research in the Sciences,
• Writing up Research in the Humanities,
• Writing up Research in the Social Sciences, and
• Writing a Journal Article.
Reviewing Progress
The progress of RHD candidates must be reviewed annually. If any issues arise during the year it is also essential that these are addressed as soon as possible. The supervisor should meet regularly with the candidate to monitor his or her progress, ensure that the facilities required are available and that the candidate has the required skills undertake the project. The supervisor should also ensure that the candidate is aware if any issues regarding a lack of progress, and ensure that there is sufficient time left to write up the thesis and make changes to the scope of the project if required. If required the supervisor should also inform the PGC or faculty of any issues which can not be resolved locally. f Best Practice Research and Writing Skills Courses
A number of faculties, including the Faculty of Health Sciences, run a series of non- compulsory short courses or workshops on topics which include statistics, ethics approval and IP.
The Sydney College of the Arts runs a compulsory series of weekly seminars run by academics from the College on a range of relevant topics. These also include projects and assignments for the candidates. Continued...
f Best Practice More Research and Writing Skills Courses
Education and Social Work arranges for current students, based on their area of expertise, such as creating posters, to run workshops for other students. This faculty also requires candidates to attend the following 3 courses: in 1st year Developing a Proposal, in the2nd year Thesis Writing and in the candidate’s3rd year Writing for Publication.
The Faculty of Engineering and IT runs a compulsory Research Methodology unit of study which requires students to compile a literature survey and give a presentation of his