Research Considerations

Benefits of a research degree

Graduate research programs

At UWA the administration of most graduate research degrees and scholarships is centralised through the Graduate Research and Scholarships Office. However, because students are based in schools, most of the supervision, day-to-day management and allocation of resources are matters for the school.

Graduate Research and Scholarships Office staff are an important source of assistance and advice for graduate research students. Administrative staff can help students with matters related to graduate research candidature or scholarships. For many students, contact is limited to matters associated with initial enrolment, allocation and administration of scholarships, submission and approval of the Research Proposal, submission of the Annual Progress Report, and submission and examination of theses.

The topic of research is decided and refined by the student and supervisors as the student prepares a Research Proposal for submission to the Graduate Research and Scholarships Office for approval. For students undertaking a PhD, the Proposal is due in six months (full-time equivalent) after commencement. For those undertaking a master's degree, the Proposal is due four months (full-time equivalent) after commencement. For PhD students, continuation of enrolment beyond the first year is contingent on a formal Confirmation of Candidature process, which includes a formal report on agreed tasks for the first year.

All students must submit Annual Progress Reports every year on the anniversaries of their commencement.

All tasks set out by coordinators in the Research Proposal must be completed within 12 months. For full-time PhD students, all tasks leading towards Confirmation of Candidature must be completed within 12 months.

Difference between a graduate research project and honours

Short-term research projects, such as those undertaken in honours or postgraduate diplomas, are essential training for graduate researchers.

However, just as the transition from an undergraduate course to honours or a postgraduate diploma usually requires a student to acquire and develop new skills, the transition into a graduate research degree involves a much higher level of independent thinking, planning and activity than most students expect. Most students find the transition both challenging and exciting; some find it daunting, even when they have performed well in honours.

A graduate research degree provides a unique opportunity to follow an area of interest, focus on this for several years and make an important contribution to the development of your chosen area. The focus is on your capacity for innovative, independent research; critical thinking; time and project management skills; and problem-solving. You will also need to have, or to develop, excellent skills of organisation and communication of information.

Benefits of extra study

Many high-achieving students choose to undertake a research degree because they have the drive to progress as far as they can in their chosen field. The continued challenge and enjoyment of independent research are, for many, rewards in themselves.

In addition, graduates from higher degree by research programs are highly employable, across many areas of study. You can check the statistics for your field of interest at Graduate Careers.

In some disciplines, such as Science, it is almost mandatory to have a master's or PhD in order to progress. Similarly, in order to make a career in academia, a graduate research qualification is necessary. However, graduates from some areas find there are limited employment opportunities in their particular field of interest and that they have to look more widely.

The reason that graduates from all areas experience a high rate of success in employment is that the generic or transferable skills required for success in a graduate research degree are the same skills that are in high demand by employers. In particular, successful completion of a research degree indicates to a prospective employer that you have excellent project and personal management skills, and that you can think independently and critically, solve problems and communicate effectively. The transferable skills developed through a research degree are usually more durable, and therefore more valuable, than the content knowledge gained.

However, the decision to enter into a research degree should not be taken lightly. Undertaking an intensive two- to four-year project, with all that it entails, is not for everyone. It's important that prospective graduate research students inform themselves about what graduate research involves before making their decision.

Similarly, prospective and new students should prepare carefully before commencing. This requirement is as important for those progressing from honours in the same university as for students starting at a new university.

Points to consider

It is important that new research students think about the nature of their research as carefully as they think about the subject of their research.

Too often, students concentrate on the content of what they are doing at the expense of the process, and realise too late that they don't really understand what is expected of them. Some things to think about:

• How will graduate research differ from your previous academic experience?
• What skills will you require for successful completion?
• How can you acquire the skills that you do not already have, and improve or develop those that you do have?
• What problems commonly occur during graduate research projects and how can you avoid them?

Before starting

• Read the Terms of Candidature for Research Higher Degrees.
• Read about starting research (see the resources listed below).
• Discuss the research process with current and previous graduate students in your and other disciplines; ask them for their advice for success.
• Familiarise yourself with the resources, assistance and training available through the library and introduce yourself to your reference librarian.
• Familiarise yourself with the resources available for graduate students in your school and elsewhere in the University.
• Read the University’s Guidelines on Research Integrity.
• Read the University’s Guidelines for Preparing a Research Proposal.
• See also the Graduate Research and Scholarships Offices online resource for writing research proposals.
• Read the University’s Intellectual Property Policy.
• Learn to use bibliographic software such as Endnote.
• Learn to touch type (there are various typing tutors available online).
• Consult the Student Academic Support page about workshops and seminars for graduate students.

Preparing for research [PDF 46KB]

Choosing your topic

A graduate research degree is a unique opportunity to explore a topic that interests you.

Discussing possible topics with a prospective supervisor is one of the first things you should do when contemplating research studies. It is important that you choose:

• An area about which you are sufficiently interested and curious to maintain your enthusiasm for three to four years
• An area that is interesting to your prospective supervisor a topic in which you can identify questions to be answered or gaps to be filled in current knowledge
• A project that is realistic for you to complete within the time allocated

Your proposed field of study must be approved by both the relevant Head of School and the Graduate Research School. They each must be satisfied that:

• The area of research is specifically suitable and can be completed within the allocated time
• The research topic can be adequately supervised in this University and is appropriate to the degree program selected
• Technical and other facilities are available if required

You may, with the approval of the Graduate Research School, change your field of study before enrolment or after you start, although this is not encouraged.

To change your field of study, you must submit an application in writing through your current school (or, if not already enrolled, the school in which you have been made an offer of a place) to the Board of the Graduate Research School for approval. Approval from the proposed new school is also required.

A change of field may take place only if the new field is appropriate to the degree program selected. If it is not appropriate to the degree program selected, it will require a new application for admission because, in essence, it is a new program.

Find a supervisor

Supervisors advise and guide you on choosing a topic, designing a project and writing the dissertation. Their area of expertise should align with your research. 

Learn more about supervisors

Identify potential supervisors