S.L. 327.665 Art. 5Doctoral Progress and Examination of the Final Doctoral Dissertation

(1) Following completion of the Post-Graduate Certificate in Research Methods that takes place in the first, foundation year of the doctoral journey, the candidate shall take on a main research task that will normally be over an additional four years on a part-time basis. Candidates may extend this main research period without need of DDC specific approval for a further year, assuming that agreement is reached with the Principal Supervisor. Candidates may furthermore place a request to the DDC to extend their main research period for up to two additional years, meaning that the doctoral journal may take up to a maximum of eight years to complete in total. The DDC will not have the authority to extend beyond this maximum period of eight years.

(2) Deliverables throughout the full Doctoral Journey are summarized in the following table, and normally follow a linear trajectory:

Deliverable Successful Approved by the 1 Completion of the MCAST Masters in MCAST Post- Research Methods Graduate Certificate coordination team. in Research Methods, at EQF Level 7, 30 ECTS. Deliverable Presentation of Early- Peer-reviewed 2 Stage Research research paper or peer-Findings at a Key reviewed working International paper or peer-reviewed Conference. poster exhibit. Deliverable Submission and Evidence of Journal 3 Acceptance of Peer- Acceptance of Paper. Reviewed Academic Paper in a Reputable, Relevant Journal co-authored by the Principal Supervisor. Deliverable Submission and Evidence of Journal 4 Acceptance of Peer- Acceptance of Paper. Reviewed Academic Paper in a Relevant Journal with an Established Impact Factor.

Deliverable Final Dissertation Conclusion of 5 Viva Examiner Panel Following Viva.

At the end of each academic year the DDC shall task the Principal Supervisor with submitting a review report in a provided format, that outlines the progress of the candidate and any issues of concern. The DDC may opt to meet up with the candidate and one or both supervisors if it is felt that the intervention of the DDC is required. The DDC shall formally notify the Doctoral Candidate of the progress that is registered. The Candidate is tasked with providing all of the necessary research and progress works that the Principal Supervisor requires to be able to compile the annual review report.

(3) Viva-based Final Assessment: The viva-based final assessment shall take place within six (6) months of the Candidate submitting the formal dissertation for evaluation. The doctoral viva follows the implementation mechanisms set out in MCAST internal regulations. The Examiner Panel shall request initial evaluation reports from both the Principal Supervisor and the Second Supervisor, and will take these reports into consideration when evaluating the doctoral dissertation. The Candidate may opt to enter a viva even if guided otherwise by his or her supervisors, but this is strongly recommended against.

(4) The Examiner Panel: The final dissertation submission shall be of PhD rigour, and shall be examined by an Examiner Panel that is identified by the Doctoral Degree Committee, and that responds and reports to the Doctoral Degree Committee. The Panel shall consist of the following composition, with the Principal Supervisor attending in a silent, non-voting capacity if he or she has the consent of the candidate to attend the viva session:

(a) Panel Convenor: Chosen from amongst MCAST Senior Academic Management Staff.

(b) External Examiner: A person who is external to MCAST and who is identified by MCAST to be an expert in the field, and who holds a relevant doctoral qualification, ideally holds a professorship position, and who has supervised at least ten (10) doctoral dissertation students.

(c) A significant publication list shall be sought as evidence of academic standing.

(d) Internal Examiner: A person identified by MCAST who is a full-time senior academic within MCAST and who holds a relevant doctoral qualification and has significant knowledge in the particular research theme and/or the research methodology that has been adopted by the Candidate.

(e) Panel Secretary: A person identified by the Office of Administration to coordinate and record the full viva process, and report on proceedings.

(5) The final outcome of the DRes dissertation viva shall take on one of the five grading options shown below. The Examiner Panel shall be tasked with providing to the DDB an adequately detailed and conclusive examiner report with two weeks of candidate completion of the viva, identifying which grading option has been convened. It shall be the responsibility of the DDB to convey all necessary result information to the Doctoral Candidate, possibly through the Principal Supervisor. This formal notification shall be completed within one week for the DDB to provide the candidate with the formal viva result information. In the possible event that the Examiner Panel are in internal disagreement, a majority vote shall be cast and taken as final direction for the DDB to act upon.

Option 1 Pass with No The Examiner Panel is highly or Minimal satisfied with the Doctoral Amendments Dissertation and approves the dissertation manuscript with no or minimal amendments that can be completed within up to four (4) weeks of being formally notified of viva outcome. Option 2 Pass with The Examiner Panel is satisfied Lesser with the Doctoral Dissertation and Amendments approves the dissertation manuscript with limited amendments that can be completed within up to twelve (12) weeks of being formally notified of viva outcome. Option 3 Pass with The Examiner Panel considers the Significant Doctoral Dissertation to be a pass, Amendments but identifies significant amendments that can be completed in up to six (6) months and need to be approved by both the Principal and the Second Supervisor. Option 4 Viva Repeat The Examiner Panel considers the and Doctoral Dissertation to be a Dissertation marginal fail, and requests that a Revision and significant revision and Resubmission resubmission takes place within one (1) academic year. Candidate shall sit for a second and final repeat viva approximately one year after this first viva. This will be the final viva opportunity of the candidate. Option 5 Fail The Examiner Panel considers the Doctoral Dissertation to be a significant fail and requests that the candidate terminates his or her doctoral journey forthwith. The Panel may opt to award the candidate with a Masters by Research certificate, if it is deemed justified that the work being submitted is of adequate masters-level rigour.