Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) is a degree completed entirely by research. Students undertaking this degree will work with an allotted supervisor and an associate supervisor. The degree is available in both full time and part time modes. Full time candidature is normally three to four years of study, while part time candidates can take up to eight years.
Course Convenor
Dr Ruth Phillips
T 02 9351 6899
Room 741, Education Building, A35
E
Direct entry
Direct entry candidates may be required to attend lectures, or enrol in units of study subject to the supervisor's and nominated Faculty Officer's approval.
Applicants may qualify if their research proposal is accepted and they satisfy one of the criteria listed below:
- a bachelor's degree with first or second-class honours in an appropriate area of study that includes a research thesis based on primary data, not a literature review
- a master's degree by research in an appropriate area of study that includes a research thesis that draws on primary data
- a master's degree by coursework with a 12,000 to 15,000 words research thesis or dissertation that draws on primary data, not a literature review, with a grade point average of at least 80 percent in the degree.
Conditions of candidature
PhD candidates are required to complete a probationary year and to produce an extended thesis proposal (10,000 to 12,000 words) at the end of their first year of full-time or the part-time equivalent candidature. The normal length of a PhD thesis is approximately 80,000 words. Examination is by presentation of the thesis.
The Rules governing the degree of Doctor of Philosophy are the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011) and the Postgraduate Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
The most recent versions of these rules are found the Policy Register sydney.edu.au/policies.
Pathway A entry
Pathway A entry is open to applicants whose research proposal is accepted and who satisfy one of the following criteria:
- a bachelor's degree with first or second-class honours in an appropriate area of study, but which did not include a research thesis, or
- a master's degree by coursework (with no thesis or dissertation component) with a grade point average of at least 75 percent and an amount of scholarly writing and/or research expertise which, in the opinion of the admissions committee, is equivalent to a master's research thesis. Copies of these must be submitted with the application.
Pathway A conditions
Pathway A candidates are required to complete one core unit of study and at least one other elective unit from the Units of Study list below:
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Pathway A |
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Core units - Education |
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| EDPZ5003 Thesis Proposal Writing |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Core units - Social Work |
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| SCWK6902 Social Research |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Elective units |
|||
| EDPK5001 Qualitative Methods |
6 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
| EDPK5002 Quantitative Methods |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| EDPK6012 Qualitative Analysis |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| EDPK6016 Advanced Statistical Analysis |
6 | P EDPK5002 Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 2 |
Pathway A
Core units - Education
EDPZ5003 Thesis Proposal Writing
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Gabrielle Meagher and student's supervisor Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: fortnightly workshops across 2 semester with Prof Meagher and regular contact with supervisor, times to be negotiated with supervisor - flexible delivery Assessment: 1x4000-10000wd research proposal (100%) as applicable to the award Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit is designed to support PhD, EdD, DSW and MPhil students as they prepare their thesis proposals for formal review and approval, through a program of workshops organised around issues in thinking, reading and writing about research design and practice. Workshops explore a range of approaches to writing about research practice and emphasise the common logic of the research process, and the importance of rigorous and systematic approaches to writing about design and analysis in all research traditions.
Core units - Social Work
SCWK6902 Social Research
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Fran Waugh/Dr Margot Rawsthorne Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Assessment: 1x2000wd class presentation (30%); 2x250wd on-line postings (10%); and 1x3500wd research proposal (60%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study introduces students to a range of research methods and focus on quantitative and qualitative methods. Many other research issues in developing a research proposal will be addressed through the semester. It is intended that, at the conclusion of this unit, students will have developed a research project able to implement through either further study or in workplaces.
Elective units
EDPK5001 Qualitative Methods
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Murray Print Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: S1: 1x2hr seminar/week x 13 weeks; S2: 2 x 2 hrs/week x 6 weeks Assessment: observation and report (50%) and interview and report (50%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit introduces students to the major issues underlying qualitative research. It examines the relationship between research questions and appropriate study designs, as well as the issues of sampling and ethical considerations. Students will develop extensive skills in the use of various interviewing and observation techniques.
EDPK5002 Quantitative Methods
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Rachel Wilson Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Assessment: portfolio of quantitative research methods (40%) and research analysis using SPSS (40%) and presentations (10%); and 2 multiple choice class tests (10%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit introduces students to the basic principles and procedures of quantitative research. Both experimental and survey research strategies are considered; starting with design and development of the research tools (measures, questionnaires, interviews, observation) and progressing to basic analytical statistical methods. The unit provides a thorough introduction to simple statistics and often looks at real research data examples. By the end of the semester students will have developed various research skills as well as a critical perspective on the appropriate application of those skills.
EDPK6012 Qualitative Analysis
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Rachel Wilson Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Assessment: critical review (40%) and journal article draft (50%) and seminar presentation (10%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit introduces students to the major forms of qualitative data arising from social science and humanities-based inquiry, and the associated analytical techniques. Links between theory and methods are emphasised. Analytical techniques associated with grounded theory, ethnography, content analysis and narrative approaches are considered. The unit is oriented towards the analysis of data already collected by students and aims to provide them with skills to complete this aspect of a research project.
EDPK6016 Advanced Statistical Analysis
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Rachel Wilson Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Prerequisites: EDPK5002 Assessment: critical review paper (50%) and draft publication (50%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit develops students' skills in multivariate analyses. Where possible student's own data sets will be the focus of analysis using SPSS. Topics include factor analysis, cluster analysis, multiple linear regression, interaction modeling, path analysis and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Students are encouraged to develop analysis plans, conceptual models for analysis and critical perspectives on statistical reports. It is recommended that students complete EDPK5002 before enrolling in this unit, or contact Coordinator to discuss suitability. A sound grasp of basic statistical concepts is needed to undertake this unit of study.