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Associate Prof Peter Betts (Associate Dean – Research Training) May 2014

Thesis by Publicationand related issues

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The PhD or Masters Thesis

• What is a Thesis? Essentially • A BOOK• The story of your professional life for

1.5 (Masters) 3.5 (PhD) years!• Describes your original contributions,

advancing knowledge.• Good bits (positive results,

breakthroughs!)• Not so good… Things that didn’t work.• It will be thoroughly read and reviewed

by a few people who will pass judgement on your research

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Thesis Options – Masters and PhD

Thesis Formats:1. Traditional Thesis

2. Part Traditional and part manuscripts/publications

3. Thesis consists mainly of publications: Sole- or multi-authored works that are ready to submit, have been submitted, accepted or published.

Must have a Linking narrative to show a COHESIVE THEME

Research questions/direction should be clear to the reader

The Cohesive Theme is required of all formats.

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Thesis Components – Any Format

The thesis should incorporate in the following order:

1. Title page, giving the title of the thesis in full, the names and the degrees of the candidate, the name of the department or academic unit of the university associated with the work and the date when the thesis is submitted for the degree

2. Table of contents

3. Summary (abstract) of not more than 500 words

4. An original signed statement to the effect:

“that the thesis, except with the committee’s approval, contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other institution and affirms that to the best of the candidate’s knowledge the thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference is made in the text of the

thesis. An acknowledgment of any help given or work carried out by another person or organisation”

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The thesis should incorporate in the following order (cont’d):

5. The main text (i.e Chapters 1,2,3,4,5…….not too long!! Chapters can be traditional/manuscripts/published papers………..but linked up

6. References

7. Appendices, if any.

Can include papers!!

Thesis Components

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Thesis Options – Masters and PhD

What format should I use?

No simple answer!

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Traditional Thesis – Masters and PhD

Typical Components -1. Introduction

• (includes a review of the literature)• Define Research Problem Hypothesis, Aims and

Objectives

2. Methodology/Experimental

3. Results and Discussion

4. Conclusion(s)

5. Recommendations for future Work

6. References

7. Appendices

May be all in separate chaptersor otherwise…………..…..discipline dependent

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Thesis by Publication: format

“A thesis format that includes papers that have been prepared, or accepted, for publication. They may have more than one author, in which case signatures from co-authors are required. The papers do not have to be rewritten for the thesis: they can be: inserted in their published format

Whether the papers are required to have been published, accepted for publication, or only submitted for publication varies across faculties (see faculty guidelines)”

http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/examiners/publication/

http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/examiners/publication/sci/index.html

Faculty guidelines

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• Publications should normally be presented in the thesis in the format in which they have been submitted or published.

• Inclusive pagination should be used throughout.

• A complete, consolidated bibliography is preferred where appropriate or possible.

• The appendix should contain the same material as a standard thesis (incl. papers that were not presented in the main body of the thesis).

Thesis by Publication: format

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http://mrgs.monash.edu.au/research/examination/thesis-by-publication/science.html

Thesis by Publication: Faculty of Science Guidelines

Pagination  Inclusive pagination is to be used. 

Bibliography A complete, consolidated bibliography is preferred where appropriate or possible.

Framing Papers   Include introduction & concluding remarks. Framing papers could be distributed throughout the thesis. The introduction should specify the research question/s covered by the thesis. Research to be contextualised in existing literature.

No. of papers The material presented for examination needs to equate to that which would otherwise be presented in the traditional thesis format. (This remains a matter of professional judgement for the supervisor and candidate.) Discipline-specific.

Photocopies A photocopy should not normally be used. Printing should be of the highest quality.

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Thesis by Publication: Faculty of Science Guidelines

% Authorship   It is recommended that the candidates contribution is greater than or equal to 50%, but this depends on the number of papers/manuscripts, and/or the number of co-authors. Papers should be framed to maximise the candidate's contribution.

Declarations To be clearly specified & formatted according to MIGR template. Co-author signatures on all papers will no longer be necessary. (Hot off the press!). Supervisor(s) and candidates to sign off Rewritten, previously published papers require acknowledgement of others' contributions.

Faculty guidelines document available   No.

Status of papers   It is recommended that papers have at least been submitted for publication, though not necessarily accepted.

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• Acquisition of skills in preparing and submitting your work for publication as you pursue your research degree.

• Graduate with a degree and a publication record. Very useful for kick-starting the next phase of your career.

Thesis by publication (or including publications): advantages

• Peer-review and/or professional editing obtained before inclusion in your thesis.

• Feed-back can assist the directions for future work and/or deficiencies

(The examiners’ work is half done??)

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• Publications tend to omit the ‘negative” results.

• Authorship issues need to be clarified upfront.

• Peer review for a journal paper does not always guarantee the examiners will like it.

• Beware not to get trapped into excess time spent on drafting manuscripts and not getting on with the project.

Thesis by publication (or including publications): disadvantages

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PhDGuidelines on the Thesis and Examination matters

Chapter 7 of the doctoral HandbookSee: http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/research-degrees/handbook/chapter-seven/7-1.html

• Covers:• Formatting• Length of theses• Editing Assistance• Content restrictions etc.

For a Master of Science, See Guidelines at: http://www.monash.edu.au/migr/research-degrees/handbook/masters/

The PhD or Masters Thesis

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Thesis Components

Thesis by publication: declarations• All theses by publication must

contain declarations which specify the extent and nature of your contribution to the works included.

• If you are the sole author – this still has to be specified.

• Two declarations required:

• General declaration• Specific declaration

Section 7.3.5 of the Doctoral Handbookhttp://www.monash.edu.au/migr/examiners/

publication/

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Thesis by Publication - Declarations

Note: In the case of students enrolled under the standard PhD regulations, papers will have been written up during the course of candidature and will be based upon research undertaken during the course of candidature.

Stressing a Point: Where a thesis in part consists of a series of papers that become the central chapters in the dissertation, a coherent framework should be retained.

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Any Type of Thesis

Printing

Typing and binding of the thesis are the responsibility of the candidate. (Consider Soft Binding while under Examination)

It is preferred that for the ease of reading the printing be double or one-and-a-half spacing, candidates may choose single spacing.

It is recommended that a font not smaller than 10 point be used for the main text.

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Set Ongoing MilestonesSet up a program plan – immediately if just starting(a Project Management Approach)

Include realistic milestones with deadlines that you will try to meet. These should include writing up some of your work (some are enforced) e.g. publications, conference presentations, thesis chapters

Where papers are involved…sort out authorship early

Make your plan realistic and achievable!

Write as You Go!!

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Important in the Plan -Writing research papers

• Aim to write >2 papers during your degree• Consult your supervisor (usually a co-author) before you start writing• Get supervisor to help; or help your supervisor!• Choose an appropriate journal• Follow the guidelines for authors – exactly• Learn from feedback - supervisor, colleagues, reviewers and editors

Are you eligible for a Postgraduate Publication Award – plan for it, if still time?

• Is your honours research project publishable?

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In Summary

• Get to know the relevant University guidelines• At the end of year 1 - Draft Table of Contents• Can you write thesis chapters in paper format?• Attend thesis-writing seminars and seek advice• Plan and make the time. Discipline yourself. Manage supervisor(s) • Remember quality is much more important than number of pages!• Writing your thesis is a satisfying experience! Often your first important,

original contribution to Science and technology

• Write as you go!!!!!

Don’t let this happen!

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MIGR Websitehttp://www.monash.edu.au/migr/examiners/publication/

Doctoral Handbook, Ch. 7http://monash.edu.au/migr/research-degrees/handbook/content/

Monash Libraryhttp://monash.edu/library/skills/resources/tutorials/http://www.monash.edu/lls/llonline/

Learning Support Staff to speak with in the Hargrave Library

Faculty of Sciencehttp://www.monash.edu.au/migr/examiners/publication/sci/index.html

Don’t Forget Faculty Postgraduate Publication Awards!!To apply for the MIGR Postgraduate Publication Awards please see the website below: http://intranet.monash.edu.au/migr/candidates/scholarships/grants/ppa.html An application submitted in a MIGR PPA round will automatically be submitted to the corresponding Faculty PPA round provided the application meets the eligibility criteria.

Where to get more Information and Assistance