Guide to Preparing your Thesis

Format Types

Candidates may submit their thesis in one of the following four formats:

1. Traditional Format
2. Publication Format
3. Creative Practice Format
4. Innovation Format

Regardless of the format chosen, all theses must demonstrate an original contribution to knowledge and/or the field of research.

Traditional

The Traditional thesis format follows a structured approach where the candidate begins with a broad literature review to contextualise their research. This format includes clearly articulated research question(s), incorporated detailed methodology, discussion of findings, and presentation of data, results, and/or evidence. The thesis culminates in a comprehensive, justified conclusion that demonstrates the significance of the research. If the research does not involve original data collection, the thesis may instead focus on the development of a robust scholarly argument. This format provides a systematic framework for presenting research findings and demonstrating their contribution to the field.

Publication

A thesis presented in the Publication format has the same concept as a Traditional thesis. The main difference is the incorporation of publishable/published works completed by the candidate (which the candidate is the main or equal co-author) that had been completed during their candidature. The publishable/published works had to be undertaken for the purpose of their research degree and is linked to the overall research within the thesis.

Please note: Published work includes written work or manuscripts that have been submitted for publication and accepted by the publisher. Publishable work includes written work or manuscripts that have been submitted for publication but not yet accepted or published.

Creative Practice

This thesis format type involves the submission of additional media such as a composition of music, video of performance, piece of art or medium, recording of yarning stories etc. as part of the thesis. It is pursued through practice-based research that results in two components, which together make up the overall thesis: a creative work and a written thesis/exegesis. An thesis/exegesis is a critical explanation of your piece, in which you explain the logic of your thought process and your choice of themes and literary techniques.

Please note: The thesis/exegesis requires more than wholly personal reflection or recount of their own creative work and practice. It should articulate an argument growing out of the practice-based inquiry, or otherwise show how the thesis project contributes new knowledge, understanding or perspectives within a disciplinary field.

It should do many or all of the following:

• Explain the subject, objectives, rationale and context of the creative work, which should normally include articulating a central question or problem that both components of the thesis investigate
• Situate the project in its field of creative practice and in relation to pertinent disciplinary concerns, problems or aspects of scholarship
• Document and reflect on the principles, methods and processes of their research and inquiry into the subject
• Explain opportunities and/or problems that they have encountered, and how they have responded to them, in the course of the project
• Reflect on the structure and themes of the creative work, or decisions involved in finding its form
• Document interactions with others that inform the creative work
• Comment on ethical considerations where relevant, and cite or present material (e.g., ethics clearances, interview questions) that helps to understand the research framework

Innovation

Innovation format type normally comprises three distinct but closely inter-linked components, supported by empirical evidence and arguments:

1. Innovation conception
2. Evidence of impact or potential impact of the innovation
3. Critical and systemic reflection upon the process of development and what this innovation means to the person, profession/industry and more broadly

It should highlight within the body of work:

• That it is relevant to a specific context that constitutes an original, scholarly contribution to a field of work or learning
• It bridges the boundaries between the academic research community and practice-based communities relevant to their Innovation
• Conducts highly contextual developmental and evaluation, based on research principles and methods applicable to the Innovation
• Produces evidence-based research surrounding the Innovation development and its realised or potential consequences
• Communicates, critically analyses and reflects on the entire innovation process including its role in innovation development and implementation
• Produces a thesis for examination based on empirical evidence and critical analysis

Formatting

In all circumstances, candidates are advised to consult with their Principal Supervisor and Schools regarding the required format for their thesis to ensure that it meets the expectations of the disciplines to which it is addressed.

For assistance with the formatting of a thesis, please refer to the Higher Degree by Research Thesis Format Guidelines and the example Thesis Template (Word Document).

All Higher Degree Research theses are to be in accordance with the HDR Thesis Submission and Examination Policy.

All theses must be written in English and provided as a PDF Digital format at submission.

Ethics Approval - Any Candidate that has been granted ethics approval for the research project should/must include the Ethics Approval Confirmation within the appendix of the thesis.

Research Training Program (RTP) Government Acknowledgement – Any candidate in receipt of an RTP Scholarship either as a tuition offset (all domestic candidates and some international) or stipend payments (both domestic and international candidates), at any time during their candidature, must acknowledge the government in the thesis. For more information about this requirement, please refer to Section 1.6.55 of the Commonwealth Scholarships Guidelines (Research) 2017. An example of how to acknowledge the Australian Government in the thesis can be found in the Thesis Template (Word Document).

Thesis by Publication (specific requirements)

You may submit a thesis by publication using either one of the two methods of presenting a thesis by publication; the first is to have the published/publishable work within the body of the thesis, or the second method is to have all published/publishable work in the Appendices only, not in the body of the thesis.

Whichever method is chosen, you must include the Combined Statement of Authors' Contribution & Originality form at the end of each chapter which contains a published/publishable work or the chapter that referring to published/publishable work in the appendices.

Combined Statement of Authors' Contribution & Originality Form

Thesis by Creative Practice (specific requirements)

That the additional media is to be embedded with the thesis/exegesis, as an appendix, within the body, or for multiple media, as an external linked within the thesis/exegesis, that is accessible.

Examination Criteria

When preparing your thesis it is recommend that candidates' keep in mind the examination criteria that examiners will be asked to use when assessing the thesis.

Each examiner is asked to submit a completed Examiner Report form to the Graduate Research School addressing the following criteria:

1. The degree to which the candidate shows sufficient familiarity with, and understanding of, the relevant literature and/or professional context of practice;
2. The degree to which the thesis provides a sufficiently comprehensive investigation of the topic;
3. The degree to which the methods and technique adopted are appropriate to the subject matter and are they applied suitably;
4. The extent to which the results are set out clearly and logically and accompanied by adequate exposition and interpretation;
5. The extent to which the conclusions and implications are developed appropriately and linked clearly to the nature and content of the research framework and finding;
6. The degree to which the literary quality and general presentation of the thesis are of a suitably high standard; and
7. The degree to which the thesis as a whole constitutes a substantive original contribution to knowledge in the subject area with which it deals (Doctoral Research Courses Only).

Please Note: Examiners may include additional comments that aren’t captured by the criteria (for example, relevance to policy or social contexts, potential implications of the work to other disciplinary or professional fields, strength of argument, nuanced insights, grammatical and editorial feedback etc.).

Word count

All candidates that chose to stay in their commencement year prior to 2024.

All candidates that chose to adhere to the 2024 Course Rules or commenced enrolment of their degree in 2024 or beyond, including upgrades and re-enrolments.

Word limits include footnotes and for thesis by publication format, any published/publishable work, irrespective of formatting style (in body/appendix of thesis).  Should the appendix and/or appendices have endnotes, tables, figures, maps, bibliographies, and/or reference lists, they can be excluded from the word count.

If the word limit exceeds the above-mentioned word counts.  The HDR candidate must submit a written request to the Graduate Research School with substantial justification for the reasons to exceed the word limit.

The request will be forward to the Dean, Graduate Research to review the request.  During this review the Dean, Graduate Research may request additional supporting documentation or information from the supervision team and the HDR Coordinator to assist in deciding the final outcome relating to the request.

Editing

In accordance with The Australian Standards for Editing Practice, supervisors are to provide editorial assistance as follows:

1. Standard C: Substance and Structure;
2. Standard D: Language and Illustrations; and
3. Standard E: Completeness and Consistency.

Editorial assistance provided to the candidate from other parties must be declared and limited to editorial intervention in accordance with The Australian Standards for Editing Practice as follows:

1. Standard D: Language and Illustrations; and
2. Standard E: Completeness and Consistency.

UNE recommends that HDR candidates who are seeking the services of an editor obtain services through the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) or The NSW Society of Editors. This way candidates can be sure of getting expert assistance from trained professionals. UNE also recommends that HDR candidates refer to the Theses Editing Guidelines from the Institute of Professional Editors so that they are aware of what editing entails.

Institute of Professor Editors

Institute of Professional Editors Limited (IPEd) Theses Editing Guidelines

The Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) also has an Editors Directory which is a national list of freelance editors, who are professional members of IPEd. The Editors Directory can be found in the IPEd website, on the Find an Editor listing.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Framework Principals and Use

The University of New England (UNE) is committed to being a leader in the responsible and innovative use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). To discover more about using AI please review UNE's Artificial Intelligence Policy.

The policy was guided by the AI Framework for UNE, which has been reviewed and approved by UNE's Executive.

AI Framework Principles

Proposed principles underpinning the governance of artificial intelligence at UNE:

• Safe: implementing these technologies safely includes privacy, security, compliance and resource considerations.

Therefore, AI implementations at UNE will safeguard information provided to, used by or transmitted by these technologies to ensure the safety of human participants within its AI toolsets.  
Additionally, UNE will work to ensure that the environmental impact of its AI technologies has due regard for energy consumption and other issues affecting the natural environment.

• Reliable: implementing these technologies reliably requires compliance with appropriate standards for system performance and dependability.

Therefore, AI implementations at UNE will demonstrate sufficient consideration of system performance and dependability regarding the intended purpose and overall risk profile for each toolset.

• Transparent: implementing these technologies transparently includes disclosure when these technologies are being used, description of the technology that is being used, and human accountability for outcomes.

Therefore, AI implementations at UNE are disclosed and described, an accountable human being is always identified, and processes are available for individuals to challenge or seek human review of AI-driven decisions.

• Equitable: implementing these technologies equitably means a demonstrated commitment to inclusion, access, and non-discrimination more broadly.

Therefore, AI implementations at UNE are required to demonstrate their capacity to enlarge access and opportunity for all participants, whether it is in education, discovery or any other aspect of UNE’s activity.

• Collaborative: implementing these technologies at UNE collaboratively implies the inclusion of a wide range of perspectives in development, implementation and review.

Therefore, AI implementations at UNE are required to demonstrate engagement with diverse perspectives intended to maximise the effectiveness of these technologies.

• Courageous: implementing these technologies courageously combines bold innovation with humility that learns and improves.