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Confirmation of Candidature

Written report

Name of candidate: Your full name

Candidate ORCID: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx
Candidates are expected to have an ORCID at the time of confirmation. ORCID stands for Open Researcher and Contributor ID. It is a numerical code which acts as a unique, persistent identifier to link you to your research outputs throughout your research career. Register here.

Principal Supervisor: Name

Associate Supervisor(s): Name(s)

External Supervisor(s) (if any): Name(s)

Project title: Preferred title of your research project. Note that if the title provided here differs from the project title currently registered with the Graduate Research School, the candidate’s record will be updated to the title provided here following successful confirmation.

This is the cover page

This is the table of contents. You can update this by right-clicking on the table below and choosing to ‘update field’. You can either update the page numbers or update the entire table. When you update this table of contents any changes made to headings in the body of the report should be updated here.

Table of Contents

List of abbreviations	1

Glossary of terms	1

1.	Background to the research	2

Introduction	2

Literature review	2

Significance and purpose of the research	2

2.	Research approach and methods	2

Methodology	2

Methods	3

3.	Research ethics and integrity	3

Research integrity	3

Indigenous cultural awareness	3

Use of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI)	4

Ethics	4

Data retention and management	4

Intellectual Property (IP)	4

4.	Project plan	5

Completion plan	5

Proposed budget	5

List of publications/creative works (created or intended)	6

5.	Acknowledgement of support	7

6.	Reference list	8

7.	Appendices	9

Appendix 1: Elements of a Literature Review	9

Appendix 2: Elements of a completion plan	10

List of abbreviations

Delete this heading and section if not required

Provide a list of abbreviations used in the document. Alternatively, abbreviations can be defined in the text of the document.

Table x. List of abbreviations

Abbreviation	Definition
Abbreviation 1	Definition 1
Abbreviation 2	Definition 2
Etc.

Glossary of terms

Delete this heading and section if not required

Provide a glossary of terms that may be specific to your research project or discipline and not generally understood by your target audience (members of the Confirmation Panel).

Table x. Glossary of terms

Term	Definition
Term 1	Definition 1
Term 2	Definition 2
Etc.

Background to the research

Introduction

This section of the report should provide some general background to the research project, to provide context for the following sections.

Literature review

While the requirements for a literature review vary considerably between disciplines, the aim of most literature reviews is to locate your research project within the research discipline. This provides context for the sections which follow, supporting your claims about the significance and purpose of the research and allowing you to justify decisions relating to the approach, framework, methodology and methods chosen for the project.

Your supervisory team should assist you in reading for, planning and writing a literature review which is appropriate for your discipline. Some suggestions are included in Appendix 1. The Graduate Research School’s Skills Development Program (SDP) also runs sessions to assist candidates to prepare the literature review.

Significance and purpose of the research

The significance of the research identifies who (or what) will benefit from the findings of the research project and how they will benefit. When articulating this section, it is important to consider any contribution that your research will make to the research discipline (how will you extend the current literature, or current theory) as well as the contribution that your work may make to a specific group of end-users/practitioners. One way to think about the significance of the research is to consider the question: How will my work change things?

The purpose of the research is often communicated by describing an overarching research question or avenue of enquiry. One or more subquestions or hypotheses may also be presented along with more specific targets which break the work down into a series of steps. Some disciplines use research aims and objectives to describe the purpose of the research. Alternatively, the purpose may be adequately communicated by describing an existing research gap that the research project will fill. One way to think about the purpose of the research is to consider the question: What question will I be answering?

Research approach and methods

Methodology

Delete this heading and section if not required – but read the paragraphs below first!

Ensure that you understand the distinction between this section (Methodology) and the next section (Methods). The Methodology section should focus on the philosophical underpinnings that will shape your research project. The methods section outlines the specific techniques to be used and specific steps to be taken.

The Methodology section is more important in some research disciplines than others. The term ‘methodology’ could be replaced by ‘Research Approach’ or ‘Methodological Framework’. You can change this subheading if you prefer another term; and if the inclusion of methodology is not typical in your research discipline, you can delete this section.

If including a methodology section, it makes sense to include a description and justification of your overall research approach (whether qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods, for example). In justifying your approach, it may be appropriate to consider the ontology, epistemology and philosophical perspectives that underpin your research project.

One way to think about the methodology section is to consider the question: How are my proposed methods (next section) linked to my research purpose (previous section)?

Methods

This section will explain what will be done to address the purpose of your research. How will you answer the research question?

While the methods section in your final thesis should be written in the past tense, at Confirmation of Candidature, you are proposing the methods that you will use, so it is appropriate to use the future tense here.

Depending on your discipline and project, it may be appropriate to include information relating to the location of the study, the study design, research subjects, key equipment or materials, proposed statistical analyses etc.

One way to think about the methods section is to consider the question: What will I be doing?

Research ethics and integrity

Research integrity

All researchers at Federation University, including HDR candidates, must abide by the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (The Code). In this section you must demonstrate that you are aware of The Code and understand how it applies to your research. Prior to confirmation you should have undertaken the University’s Research Integrity Training (part of the requirements of the Skills Development Program). Provide the date on which this was completed.

Indigenous cultural awareness

Delete this sub-heading and section if not required – but read the paragraphs below first!

Researchers working on projects which involve Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, practices, places, and/or cultural knowledge must proactively consult as appropriate with relevant Indigenous community members such as Traditional Owners or Custodians. This section of the report allows you to provide a paragraph or two to document what you have done, or what you intend to do in relation to the requirements outlined in documents such as:

The NHMRC guidelines for research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The IATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research (and its accompanying Guide)

Use of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI)

Delete this sub-heading and section if not required – but read the paragraph below first!

If you have used or intend to use Artificial Intelligence tools in the preparation of this report, or in your research, explain your understanding of the Federation University’s Artificial Intelligence Guidelines, and of the Guidelines for HDR candidates on the use of Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the context of your work.

Ethics

Delete this sub-heading and section if not required – but read the paragraphs below first!

If your research involves human participants, human data, animal subjects or biosafety hazards, you will also need to demonstrate your awareness of the legislative requirements relating to such projects, which include seeking approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee or the Animal Ethics Committee. Where ethics approval is required, it should be obtained prior to data collection (make sure that this is also reflected in the timeline or Candidature Completion Plan). In this section, you should explain whether ethics approval is required and if so, outline your plan for obtaining approval. If necessary, cross reference to the timeline/Candidature Completion Plan. If you already have ethics approval, this should be stated.

You can find out more information on ethics requirements via discussions with your supervisors, by exploring Federation University’s Research Ethics webpages, or by contacting the Research Ethics team.

Data retention and management

In this section, you should provide information about how your research data will be managed. We expect you to address how the data or information that you collect during your research will be stored and shared (during and after the completion of our project).

Information about Research Data Management planning is available via the Library. An easy way to complete this section is to work with your supervisory team and use the University’s Research Data Management Plan (RDMP) app to complete a Data Management Plan and attach the completed plan as an appendix to this report. (If you use the app, you will need to enter your Principal Supervisor’s name as the Chief Investigator).

Intellectual Property (IP)

Delete this heading and section if not required – but read the paragraphs below first!

The University’s Intellectual Property Procedure describes the rights, roles and responsibilities of the University, staff, affiliates and students in relation to intellectual property. An understanding of the Intellectual Property relating to your project is particularly important where:

Your project involves Indigenous Traditional Knowledge(s) and/or Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP).

Your project may lead to a commercial or financial benefit to you, your supervisors or the university.

Note that students generally retain copyright in the thesis.

If there are special arrangements relating to Intellectual Property, including Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property, this can be stated here.

Project plan

Completion plan

The completion plan is a timeline which lays out how the research will be completed within the period of candidature.

You should provide a timeline which outlines each of the key steps/tasks in your research, as described in the methods section, with a clear indication as to when each step is planned to be completed. Include an indication of any steps/tasks which are already completed. Remember to allow time for preparation of the thesis.

Further advice about what to include in the completion plan is provided in Appendix 2.

Proposed budget

All HDR candidates at Federation University have access to a HDR funding allowance to assist with project costs. You can find out the value of your HDR funding allowance and how to access it via HDR Candidate Funding Rules.

Some candidates may also have access to additional funds provided by external parties, for example, Industry Partners or research grants.

Your proposed budget should outline all items and activities which require funding and the estimated cost of each. It is helpful to state the total value of the funds available to you so that the panel can assess whether your proposed budget is within the resources available to you. You can state the value of funds available to you in a sentence, or, if there are several fund sources, you could use a table to provide detail of the funds available for your research.

For some projects it may make sense to break up the budget into year 1, year 2 etc.

Where you are proposing to spend funds to attend conferences, those conferences should also be detailed in your completion plan/timeline.

If you are anticipating requiring a professional editor to edit your thesis, please remember to reserve some funding for this purpose. This should also be detailed in your completion plan/timeline.

Table x. Research income. Figures provided here are invented examples.

Fund source	Amount	Notes
HDR funding allowance	[$6,000]	Available as [$2,000] per annum post Confirmation
[name of grant provider]	[$2,500]	[Not yet applied for]
TOTAL	[$8,500]

Table x. Proposed research expenditure. Figures provided here are invented examples.

Anticipated expenses	Estimated cost	Fund source]	Notes
Registration for [local conference] in year 2	[$1,000]	Grant	If successful in applying for grant
Equipment [type and purpose]	[$500]	Grant	If successful in applying for grant, otherwise sourced from HDR funding allowance
Thesis editing	[$3,500]	HDR Funding allowance
Article processing charges for paper to be published in [journal name]	[$1,000]	HDR Funding allowance
Travel, accommodation and registration for interstate conference in year 3	[$1,500]	HDR Funding allowance	Will only attend if thesis preparation is progressing well and funding is available
SUBTOTAL [grant]	[$2,500]	Assuming grant application is successful
SUBTOTAL HDR funding allowance	[$6,000]
TOTAL	[$8,500]

List of publications/creative works (created or intended)

Delete this heading and section if not required.

If you intend to publish or make creative works as part of your thesis, or if some of your work has already been created/published/submitted for publication, let the panel members know!

It may be easiest to present this as a table.

Table x. Manuscripts [published or] intended for publication

[Proposed] title of manuscript	[Proposed] lead and co-authors	Target journal	Rank of target journal	Status of manuscript
Proposed title	List author names, lead author listed first	Name of target journal	Q1/Q2	Planned/Drafted/Submitted/Accepted/Published
Proposed title	List author names, lead author listed first	Name of target journal	Q1/Q2	Planned/Drafted/Submitted/Accepted/Published
Etc.

Table x. [Intended creative works]

Proposed title	Type of work	How will the work be publicly displayed
Title of work	E.g. Artwork/Novel/Play etc	E.g. Exhibition/Performance
Title of work	E.g. Artwork/Novel/Play etc	E.g. Exhibition/Performance
Etc.

Acknowledgement of support

This section is for you to acknowledge any support or assistance you have received for your research project and in writing this document. Consider mentioning support or assistance from:

Supervisors

Industry partners

Generative AI tools

Scholarship and other funding

Please note that if you are in receipt of either a Stipend (living allowance) or Fee Offset scholarship from the Australian Government’s RTP, it is a condition of your scholarship that this is acknowledged in any reports or publications that you create as part of your candidature, including this document. All Australian citizens and Permanent Residents at Federation University are in receipt of a RTP tuition fee waiver scholarship.

Suggested wording for acknowledging RTP stipend and/or Fee Offset Scholarships is provided below. This can be adapted for other funding sources.

For HDR candidates in receipt of both a RTP Stipend and RTP Fee-Offset:

<Student name> is supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend and RTP Fee-Offset Scholarship through Federation UniversityAustralia.

For HDR candidates in receipt of an RTP Fee-Offset only:

<Student name> is supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Fee-Offset Scholarship through Federation University Australia

Reference list

Your reference list is not included in the word count for the report.

The reference list should begin on a new page.

Use a referencing and citation style that is conventional for your discipline. We recommend using a reference management tool such as Endnote.

Appendices

Your report can include several appendices if needed. Appendices are typically used to provide additional detail or evidence. Number your appendices and give each a meaningful title.

Information included in the appendices is not included in the word count for the report.

You may like to include as appendices: a Turnitin Report, examples of preliminary results, draft or published manuscripts, examples of artworks

Appendix 1: Elements of a Literature Review

The following advice is provided for your consideration.

Provide an introduction and a conclusion to your literature review, as well as a body or ‘main’ section. The body of the review should be comprised of paragraphs and organised in a logical manner, for example chronologically or by subtopic. The introduction will tell the reader what this review is about; the body defines your topic area, and the conclusion identifies the ‘gap(s)’ in the field of study that require further research.

Your introduction could include some or all of the following:

the purpose of the review / why the topic is important

the scope of the review - what aspects of the topic will be discussed

the criteria used for your literature selection (e.g., type of sources used, date range)

an explanation of the organisational pattern of the review.

The body may cover

a critical account of research methodologies relevant to your research project, perhaps leading to identification of an appropriate research approach for your own project.

a critical review of other published work relating to your research project research undertaken; perhaps identifying a ‘gam’ within the research area, to which the knowledge generated by your own project will contribute.

identification of leading scholars in the field, and a critical review of their contributions and omission.

Your conclusion could include some or all of the following:

your overall perspective on the topic

the main agreements and disagreements in the literature

the most appropriate research approach for your project

gaps or areas requiring further research (often identification of such gaps leads directly into your proposed research question).

After completing a first draft of your literature review, consider the following:

Where possible when citing other people’s work, make the author the focus rather than the information. This is called an author prominent citation.

Sometimes you may need to add a little more detail about the study that you are discussing. For example, instead of: “xxxx is important (Nameofauthor, 2016)”, an author prominent citation will read, for example, “Nameofauthor (2016) pointed out the importance of xxxx in her study of yyy in regional areas of Africa.”

Make sure that your own opinion is clear, signalling your position on the topic to your reader.

Work through each paragraph in the body of the literature review, checking that every paragraph has:

A topic sentence.

A “topic sentence” sums up the main idea of the paragraph. It tells your audience what the paragraph is going to be about. It is usually the first or second sentence of the paragraph.

A number of supporting sentences. This is where you discuss the work of other authors which fits under the topic of this paragraph.

A concluding sentence (this is where your position can be signalled, if appropriate).

Appendix 2: Elements of a completion plan

The purpose of the completion plan is to demonstrate to the Confirmation of Candidature panel that you are likely to successfully complete the requirements of the Higher Degree by Research within the period of candidature. This is 3 years FTE (full-time equivalent) for PhD and 1.5 years FTE for Masters by Research. The completion plan is a timeline demonstrating how you will achieve completion within that time. A completion plan can be presented as a simple table, an Excel spreadsheet, or a Gantt chart to display your timeline provided it is clear and can be understood by the panel members. You may choose to present the completion plan in an appendix.

A completion plan may include the following elements:

start date of your candidature

due date for the CofC milestone

estimated dates for Mid Candidature Review and Pre-submission seminar milestone; and any other reporting milestones related to the project (e.g. reporting to industry partner or other funding body)

known family or holiday commitments e.g., University Christmas closedown period, planned events such as weddings, children starting school etc.

ethics approval application and expected approval dates (if required)

realistic timing for key data collection activities: for example, field work, laboratory tests, creation of creative works, case studies, surveys etc.

timing and duration for other activities such as data analysis; preparation of and exhibition or performance of creative works

conference attendance or preparation of journal articles

writing up the thesis (which may take as much as 8-9 months for a full-time candidate and is best undertaken throughout candidature rather than in one chunk at the end).

Final formatting and proofing of the thesis

Allow for unexpected setbacks such as illness, stress and for work/life balance. Plan for annual leave.

Setbacks can include field work delays, equipment failure or an exhibition that does not go according to plan. You may experience changes to your supervisory team. Anything is possible during three years of striving toward your goal. Leave yourself a buffer zone – it would be most unusual to not need one!