Research degree theses and the impact of Covid-19 restrictions

PGR theses and the impact of Covid-19 restrictions 1 Last updated August 2024

Research degree theses and the impact

of Covid-19 restrictions

Introduction

Where possible, research students should adapt their research activities

to address disruptions caused by Covid-19 restrictions, but it may be

necessary to submit a statement with their thesis on the impact of

disruptions on their work. Examiners will consider this statement in

relation to the scope and volume of the research student’s work but will

always uphold the requirements for the award of research degrees (see

the Code of Practice for Research Degree Candidature and Supervision

(section 4: The Difference between Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)). The quality threshold for the award

remains unchanged and there must be no compromise in the integrity

of the examination or the award.

This policy covers all research degrees and is in force for submissions

(or resubmissions) made on or after 8

February 2021 until 31

July

2025. The University may decide to further extend this period

depending on circumstances.

Adjustments to research projects are a common part of doctoral study,

but the Covid-19 pandemic has, in many cases, created noteworthy

changes to projects. Research students may wish to reflect on the

impact of the pandemic on the design and conduct of their research,

including through discussions that form part of the Progression Review

process. Faculties and Schools may have discipline-specific advice for

students in place that aligns with, and complements, this policy. Any

redesigns to the project will form part of the narrative of the work and

should be included in the relevant section of the thesis. Suspensions

and extensions (see the Regulations Governing Special Considerations

and Pause in Study for Postgraduate Research Students) may also be

appropriate ways of mitigating the impact of the pandemic but will not

PGR theses and the impact of Covid-19 restrictions 2 Last updated August 2024

always be sufficient on their own. Even where redesigned research

activities are discussed in the thesis and/or where suspensions or

extensions have been granted, research students may wish to provide a

statement to their examiners on how the impact of Covid-19 restrictions

has changed their project.

The focus of this policy is on assessment and the submission of a

statement with a thesis submitted for examination.

The decision to include a Covid-19 statement

Any research student who submits a thesis in the timeframe permitted

by this policy may submit a Covid-19 statement in the format set out

below. A statement is not compulsory and should only be submitted

where a research student wishes to highlight the impact of the

pandemic and the steps taken to adjust their research activities.

Research students should discuss the submission of a Covid-19

statement with their supervisors, but the decision to submit a statement

ultimately rests with the student.

Covid-19 statement format

A Covid-19 statement must not be incorporated into the thesis that is to

be submitted for examination, but instead should be submitted as a

separate document. The statement must not be included in the final

thesis that is submitted for deposit with the Library.

The statement, which must not exceed 800 words (and will not

contribute to the maximum word count of the thesis), will form a

summary of any planned research activities disrupted by Covid-19

restrictions and the extent to which it was possible to adapt the work in

those changed circumstances. The following may be included:

Details of any planned research activities curtailed by the

pandemic because of, for example, lack of access to facilities,

libraries, archives, research participants, fieldwork, etc.

Information on any curtailed training should be included only

PGR theses and the impact of Covid-19 restrictions 3 Last updated August 2024

insofar as it relates to the impact on research activities and on

the thesis.

An acknowledgement of the anticipated contribution and

value to the thesis if those research activities had not been

curtailed and what was possible to include in the thesis in the

circumstances, including where alternative choices were made

to adapt the work and whether there are any weaknesses that

could not be overcome. This does not obviate the need for a

relevant discussion of any Covid-19 induced alternative

methodologies, applied changes or limitation of the scope of

the project in the relevant sections of the thesis. However, all

such discussions in the main text should focus on the effect

of Covid-19 on the project and not the effect on the student.

Any other relevant factors on the impact of Covid-19 on

research activities and on the contents of the thesis.

Issues arising from illness, disability, bereavement, or any exceptional

circumstances not related to disruptions to research activities caused by

the pandemic must not be included, as there are standard mechanisms

to address those issues (see the Regulations Governing Special

Considerations and Pause in Study for Postgraduate Research Students).

Guidance for examiners on Covid-19 statements

Examiners must maintain academic standards in relation to the criteria

for awards as set out in the Code of Practice for Research Degree

Candidature and Supervision (section 4: The Difference between Doctor

of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil)). Where a Covid-19

statement is submitted with the thesis for examination there can be

some flexibility in the consideration of the scope and volume of the

work produced, but not on its quality or on the quality thresholds for

the award.

The examiners' consideration of the scope and volume of the work

produced in the thesis may take into account where curtailed research

PGR theses and the impact of Covid-19 restrictions 4 Last updated August 2024

activities have reduced what was possible in the period allowed. The

thesis must however still satisfy the standards required for the award.

The examiners must discount any information in a Covid-19 statement

that does not relate to disruptions to research activities caused by the

pandemic and to the content of the thesis.

The examiners’ recommendation is a matter of academic judgement

and therefore it is their decision on what allowance to give to any

limitations in the volume and scope of the thesis due to the impact of

Covid-19. Examiners must consider closely the result of pandemic-

related disruptions in the production of the thesis and decide whether

in their academic judgement the thesis meets the criteria for the award

of the research degree.

The examiners’ joint report and recommendation must incorporate an

overview of their consideration of a Covid-19 statement, if one has been

submitted with the thesis, and their determination of the impact on the

scope and volume of the thesis within the context of maintaining the

academic standards required for the award.

Any thesis amendments or resubmission required by the examiners

must take into account any allowance made by them on the limitations

in volume and scope of the thesis due to the pandemic. Examiners must

consider what amendments are necessary to meet the criteria for the

award and must not require additional work aimed only at addressing

where research activities have been curtailed by Covid-19 restrictions.

Document Information

Author

Quality Standards and Accreditation Team

Owner (committee)

Academic Quality and Standards Subcommittee

Approved Date

February 2021

Last Revision

August 2024

Type of Document

Policy