Progression Criteria and Evidence

University Criteria

For progression into year 2 of a full-time PhD or MPhil programme (or equivalent stage of a part-time PhD or MPhil programme), a postgraduate researcher must demonstrate that they:

(a) can articulate the direction their research is taking and the research questions it addresses;

(b) have planned in a realistic fashion the second year (or equivalent) of their research, indicating any risks and how these will be mitigated;

(c) have sufficient acquaintance with the relevant field of knowledge to place their research into context;

(d) have sufficient proficiency in the relevant research methods, techniques and theoretical approaches to move their research to the next stage;

(e) have undertaken all required training (including successful completion of the Research Integrity Tutorial);

(f) have considered ethical issues (including data management and authorship) where applicable and have in place an appropriate data management plan.

Departmental Evidence

(a) Confirmation of completing required training, School or other approved source [Criterion e];

(b) Confirmation that you have made a presentation to your research group, on which you have received feedback;

(c) A draft chapter. Written document depending on research methodology pathway, suitable for the subject and assigned at the beginning of the PhD (i.e. literature review, methodology OR data collection and initial analysis depending on order of research activities) [Criteria c,d].

(d) A brief statement on your progress and how you have met all the criteria {particularly Criteria a,b,f]. [Criterion f];

(e) Comments from previous TAPs [all criteria];

(f) Supervisory statement on progress [all criteria].

(g) A draft ethics/data management statement [where appropriate or a statement as to why it is not appropriate]

University Criteria

For progression into year 3 of a full-time PhD programme (or equivalent stage of a part-time PhD programme), a postgraduate researcher must demonstrate that they:

(a) can articulate the direction their research is taking and the research questions it addresses and how this will lead to a substantial original contribution to knowledge or understanding;

(b) have planned in a realistic fashion the third year (or equivalent) of their research, based on the expectation that the project will be completed and the thesis submitted on time, indicating any risks and how these will be mitigated;

(c) have the ability to write up their research in an appropriate academic format for it to be critically assessed by peer reviewers and examiners;

(d) have begun to acquire the wider background knowledge of their research field required for the degree of PhD;

(e) can apply the relevant research methods, techniques and theoretical approaches required to make an original contribution to knowledge or understanding;

(f) have undertaken all required training;

(g) have considered ethical issues (including data management and authorship) where applicable and have in place an appropriate data management plan.

Departmental Evidence

(a) Confirmation of completion of advanced research training e.g. NARTI, DTP, or other approved source (Criteria d,f);

(b) Confirmation that you have made a presentation to your research group, on which you have received feedback;

(c) Two draft chapters. Written document depending on research methodology pathway, suitable for the subject and assigned at the beginning of the PhD (i.e. literature review, methodology AND data collection and initial analysis) [Criteria a,c,e).

(d) Comments from previous TAPs;

(e) Statement as to how all the criteria for progress have been met (especially Criterion g including a suitable timetable for completion (Criterion b)

(f) Supervisory statement of progress.