Starting your research

If you are accessing this toolkit because you have started your PhD or Research Masters journey – congratulations! Getting accepted and commencing your PhD is a huge first step on your research journey.   

During your postgraduate studies with the University of Newcastle you will demonstrate the capacity to conduct research with a high level of originality and quality. You will uncover new knowledge, either by the discovery of new facts, the formulation of theories, or the innovative re-interpretation of known data and established ideas. If studying full-time, you will be expected to complete your degree within four years. If you study part-time this may take up to eight years. At the end of this period, you are expected to submit a thesis or exegesis that outlines, documents, and explains the research you have conducted.  

While you are undertaking your higher degree journey you may undertake or participate in other research projects. These could include lab work, experiments, or various types of reviews (scoping, systematic, and/or literature reviews). You may also publish your research and present your research findings at conferences.

What is a thesis?

A thesis (also known as a dissertation) is a document submitted by candidates towards a degree or qualification such as Honours, Masters, or PhD. It involves collating existing research or conducting and synthesising new and original research. Once submitted for review, the thesis is assessed by examiners and is either accepted or rejected with suggested revisions.  

A thesis by publication includes journal articles, conference papers and other research outputs you have published or are yet to be published. If your thesis contains any of the above material, you may need to request a period of embargo on your thesis or include a copyright statement. All research postgraduate theses must be deposited into NOVA, the University's institutional repository. You can seek advice from your Research Liaison Librarian or the Scholarly Publishing Team. Module 2 includes more information on how to search NOVA.  

If you are completing a creative higher research degree you will need to write an exegesis, a shorter length thesis that provides critical context for the creative component of the research.  

The University has guidelines that provide examples of how you can format your thesis, such as the Thesis Examination Format Guidelines and the Graduate Research Thesis Examination Guidelines.  For more information, visit the Graduate Research - Forms, guidelines and policies page. What exactly is a PhD by publication?