The Thesis
It is recommended that you discuss the length, composition and format of the thesis with your supervisor at an early stage of candidature and that you take the time to review both the relevant academic program rules and the document ‘specifications for thesis’, which describes in detail the current requirements for the preparation and presentation of a higher degree by research thesis.
As you approach the end of your candidature, you be able to choose whether you wish your thesis to be examined under the academic program rules and specifications for thesis in place during your year of enrolment, or, those in place at the time you submit for examination. This selection is made at the time of notifying the Adelaide Graduate Centre of your intention to submit your thesis for examination (3 months prior to the actual submission).
Program Rules and Specifications for your Thesis
Where possible, it is recommended that you choose to submit under the current rules and specifications for thesis for the following reasons:
- to ensure that the thesis delivered to examiners is consistent with current national and international expectations of a Doctoral or Master by Research thesis;
- the University has, in general, moved to permit greater flexibility in the format of research theses e.g. PhDs may now be submitted in one of the following formats:
- Conventional written narrative presented as typescript;
- Publication. A thesis by publication may include publications that have been published and/or accepted and/or submitted for publication and/or which have been prepared in publication format;
- Combination of conventional and publication formats; and
- Major Work (creative, musical or visual) (Volume 1) and exegesis (Volume 2).
- the yearly revisions to the program rules and specifications for thesis document have resulted in greater clarity of doctoral and Master requirements to students, staff and examiners.
Current and historical academic program rules and specifications for thesis are maintained on the Adelaide Graduate Centre website and may also be found in the University Calendar of the relevant year.
Note that if you are a scholarship student, you may be eligible for an allowance to assist you with the costs of producing your thesis. Please consult your scholarship ‘Conditions of Award’, or contact the Adelaide Graduate Centre for further information.
Conventional Narrative Format
Generally, theses submitted for examination comprise a substantial written narrative of around 80,000 words in the case of a Doctorate, 40,000 words in the case of a 100% research Masters thesis and 27,500 words in the case of a thesis for a student in the mixed research and coursework Master of Philosophy or Master of Clinical Science stream.
Publication Format
An alternative to the conventional written thesis is a thesis that comprises a portfolio of publications that have been published and/or submitted for publication and/or text in manuscripts.
Combined Conventional Publication Format
Another alternative to the conventional written thesis is a thesis that comprises a combination of conventional written narrative presented as typescript and publications that have been published and/or submitted for publication and/or prepared in publication style.
Creative or Visual Works
In creative disciplines, the thesis submitted for examination may include a major work in the form of exhibition, music composition or performance, literary work or film (volume 1 of the thesis), together with an exegesis (volume 2).
Presentation of the Thesis and Editing Assistance
Whilst you are ultimately responsible for the content of your thesis, the University would be remiss in permitting a thesis to be sent for examination that was below the standard required for the degree and/or which contained numerous typographical and spelling errors.
Careful proof reading of the text is essential to ensure that such errors have been corrected and you should not rely on your supervisors to undertake this task for you. Textual errors are a source of irritation to examiners and suggest a lack of care and attention on your part. If desired and provided that the assistance is acknowledged in your thesis, you may engage the services of a professional editor to assist you in preparing the thesis.
In such cases the editor, must be provided with a copy of the Australian Standards for Editing Practice (ASEP) and advised to restrict their assistance to the standards for 'Language and Illustrations' and for 'Completeness and Consistency' in accordance with the University's policy.
Material for professional editing or proof-reading should be submitted in hard copy; the submission of an electronic copy and the use of 'tracked changes' by an editor is unacceptable.
The ASEP standards are available on the Adelaide Graduate Centre website.
For your convenience, the Researcher, Education and Development Unit in the School of Education now maintain a register of Professional Editors who have been provided with the ASEP requirements: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/red/student/editor_register/.
For further information, please contact the RED Unit.
