The School of Social Work is part of the College of Health with campuses in Albany (Auckland) and Manawatu (Palmerston North). As a student, you should be aware of the facilities and processes designed to support your studies. A variety of assessment types are used and you will be notified of the specific requirements for each paper.
Students will be notified in writing by any letter coordinator who wishes to use a variation of the policies listed here. If you believe that your assignment has not been marked fairly, or require clarification of the grade given, then you can ask this from the paper co-ordinator in the first instance. A full first draft must be completed by the end of September of the registration year.
A complete first draft must be submitted by the end of October in the year of entry. A complete first draft must be submitted by the end of September of the final year of enrollment. You cannot transfer your postgraduate registration for Part A, but you can request re-enrolment for Part B if the thesis is not completed before the end of the next enrollment period.
The literature review should be written and may form the basis of the first chapter or the literature chapter itself.
Carry forward Postgraduate Registration / Suspension or extension
This step requires considerable time and energy, and the time required should not be underestimated. Submit two copies for evaluation by October 31 if you wish to graduate at the April or May graduation ceremony, or no later than January 31 of the year of enrollment. The format of the diploma thesis must be in accordance with the guidelines prepared by the university, "Guide for presentation of diploma theses".
Definition of study year
RESEARCH SUPERVISION
- The student-supervisor agreement Principles
- Meetings
- Appraisal of Progress
- Other Agreements
- The University and the Student
- The School and the Student
- University Grievance Procedures
- Harassment Prevention and Complaints Resolution
Master's students are expected to meet with their supervisor for at least 10 hours per year, usually on the basis of approximately one hour per month over 10 months of the year. Research project students are likely to meet with their supervisor at least four times and ensure that their supervisors are updated at least once a month. Some of this time can be used in joint guidance with other students and supervisors.
It can be helpful to schedule your monthly meetings with your supervisor at the beginning of the year. In addition to the scheduled discussions between you and your supervisor, you are expected to attend the Research Discussion Days/Thesis Days on campus where you will receive thesis supervision. A copy of the meeting summary, progress to date, and work plan to be completed before the next meeting (see Individual Session Plan - Appendix 10) should be kept by you and the supervisor and used as a guide for your next meeting. meeting.
You, your supervisor(s) and the Program/Group Coordinator may prepare six-monthly reports (see Appendix 3) in July and November, and these reports constitute a formal assessment of your progress. In addition to the student-supervisor agreement, there are two other specific contracts/agreements that the student enters into, namely the one between the university and the student and the one between the faculty and the student. The contract between the university and the student begins with the formal acceptance by the university of a student's application to pursue a particular course of study and payment by that student (or the student's agent) of the applicable fee.
The terms of this Agreement are set forth in the University Calendar. The agreement between the school and the student begins with the notification of the student's enrollment in the reports provided by the school. This agreement relates to the nature and amount of the School's resources that the student will use while pursuing the course of study offered by the School.
The procedures can be accessed from the University's Policy Guide at http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/calendar/statutes-and-regulations/student-grievance-procedures.cfm. The University considers harassment of any kind to be completely unacceptable and recognizes that it seriously undermines the atmosphere of trust and respect essential to a healthy environment. See further information at http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/student-life/services-and-resources/harrassment-resolution/harrassment-resolution_home.cfm.
WRITING THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Suggested headings for a research proposal
Massey University's grievance procedures are for all campuses and cover all modes of delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate programs and related services. Massey University is committed to creating and maintaining a work and study environment that is free from any form of harassment.
HOW TO OBTAIN ETHICS APPROVAL FOR YOUR RESEARCH
BUDGET PREPARATION AND FUNDING
Budget preparation
When applying for funding, be sure to fully budget for each item so that the committee has an idea of how you arrived at the specified amount. It's also worth checking with a professional organization you belong to to find out what awards are available.
Massey University Internal Funding
CARRYING OUT THE RESEARCH
Writing the report/thesis
Before you start writing, develop a computer template of all the required formatting (see Benn & Benn [2006] in the reference list and also the Massey University Guide to Presenting Theses for guidance). Writing a thesis/research report usually proceeds in a start/stop fashion - periods of high activity and periods of concern about progress. Text previously considered important may need to be deleted as the thesis takes shape.
The abstract, introduction and conclusion chapters are usually written last because they are an overview of the thesis. You may find that you miss deadlines because there is a tendency to underestimate the time the entire process will take. In addition to potential delays in the research process itself, considerable time is required to refine the entire thesis to the required standard.
There should be a consistency in quality across the thesis and the final written sections should not be rushed. You should also be prepared that good writing does not come easily to most of us. Try to see each draft as a step towards a final product rather than getting too attached to the idea of completing each chapter as it is written.
Sometimes taking the time to read a novel and think about how a good author puts ideas to paper can be a more instructive (and therapeutic) activity. Try looking in the library for books on writing style and so on from the beginning of your thesis writing period.
PRESENTATION OF THE RESEARCH REPORT / THESIS
EXAMINATION OF THE THESIS / RESEARCH REPORT
Research Reports (30 credit research projects)
Examination of a Research Report (30 credit)
Examination of a Thesis (120 credits) A thesis is examined by two people
RECOMMENDED READING
APPENDICES
Contacting Postgraduate Staff
Massey University
Social Work / Social Policy Programmes ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET
Instructions for Use
Please complete panels 1 and 2, print all details clearly
Markers Use Only
CANDIDATE’S STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES FOR NEXT SIX MONTHS: list your objectives for the next six months
Candidates presenting for the MA of Applied Social Work and BA Hons (Social Policy) are required to complete a research report in partial fulfillment of each respective degree. The research report is a low-risk study, a learning exercise for student research and usually involves a small-scale study focusing on selected professional issues within social work and social policy. A student undertaking a research report is required to demonstrate a good understanding of research development.
The study design, findings and implications for midwifery/nursing should be presented in a concise report. The expected length of the research report for the MSc and BA Hons (Social Policy) is words. For MA, MSW, MPhil candidates, a thesis based on independent work is required as partial fulfillment of the regulations for this degree.
In order to be eligible for the award of the degree with honours, it is expected that the coursework, which normally consists of four papers (30 credits each) and a thesis*, be completed within three years of full-time or five years of part-time study become The research topic for the dissertation can be drawn from any aspect of social work or social policy practice education or management and therefore methodology is likely to vary from one case to another. An innovative approach to problems, and the use of previous experience in social work and social policy is encouraged.
In recent years, most of the problems chosen within social work and social policy have been suitable for qualitative approaches. Accordingly, where appropriate, the thesis format and style of reporting is modified, for example to allow the use of the first person rather than the impersonal third person form common in traditional scientific writing. It is assumed that criteria for assessment will address the subject of the thesis in the context of social work and social policy issues surrounding design and implementation of the selected method, and will take into account the overall readability and quality of presentation.
In the context of social work and social policy knowledge, the relevance of the topic and the way it has been approached, including the degree of innovation and overall contribution to social services knowledge, are all important. Adequacy and appropriateness of study design, depth of associated understanding and absence of obvious methodological flaws. Interpretation (and generalization where appropriate) of findings, in relation to purpose, and knowledge of their wider implications.
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
In some circumstances a three-paper thesis or equivalent project with a balanced increase in course work may be approved.
Research Supervision Statement
FUNDING
Funding
Graduate Research Fund (GRF)
Provision will be made for a second round of applications later in the year if funds are available.
Operating Grant
Operations Grant Application Form
SUMMARY OF GRANT REQUESTED
Graduate Research Fund Application Form
If the research project described in this application requires approval from the Human Ethics Committee, that approval has been obtained.
