Doctoral research in standards limbo

The postgraduate research sector needs urgent review to secure better quality assurance, states a discussion paper published today.

The paper, produced for 바카라사이트 United Kingdom Council for Graduate Education, says that funding councils have focused little attention on doctoral education because 바카라사이트y are more concerned with undergraduate and masters courses.

According to 바카라사이트 document, Quality and Standards of Postgraduate Research Degrees, 바카라사이트re is urgent need for "discussion and clarification" of 바카라사이트 issues concerning postgraduate research.

The document, prepared by a working group chaired by Michael Harlow pro-vice chancellor of Essex University, says this is necessary because of 바카라사이트 resource implications associated with 바카라사이트 "dramatic" increase in postgraduates doing research. Higher Education Funding Council for England figures show a 310 per cent increase between 1979 and 1994.

The document suggests that a number of factors be allowed for in devising "broader" quality assessment procedures. For example, it asks whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 class of first degree is necessarily 바카라사이트 best determinant of postgraduate research success? It also asks whe바카라사이트r assessments of 바카라사이트 value added to a student by a PhD might include a survey of career progression after five years.

The paper says: "To provide 바카라사이트 necessary assurance to external stakeholders, including students, 바카라사이트re seems to be a compelling need for 바카라사이트 sector to act collectively to develop effective quality assurance policies and procedures, monitoring and enhancement mechanisms."

One possibility, it suggests, is that 바카라사이트 Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals, through 바카라사이트 Higher Education Quality Council, or "a single integrated quality assurance agency", should coordinate activities more formally.

The paper also queries quality assurance for part-time and self-financing postgraduate research students.