Graduate Research Citation Process
1. Overview
1.1. This process supports the Graduate Research Training Policy (MPF1321) by setting out how to prepare a graduate research citation.
2. Purpose
2.1. The citation is a short plain language summary of the research conducted by the candidate leading to the award of the degree and its contribution to society. The citation is included in formal academic records, such as the University’s Evidence of Qualification and in the Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement. The citation will also be read out at the graduation ceremonies for doctorate by research graduands.
3. Process
3.1. Candidates must write a citation that:
- a) summarises the research, its contribution to knowledge and its potential impact
- b) is written in plain language so that a person without specialist knowledge of the discipline or its technical terms, is able to comprehend it, as shown in the examples on the Graduate Research Hub.
3.2. The citation must:
- a) contain no more than 50 words
- b) be written in plain language in present or future tense
- c) be grammatically correct and understandable to a non-specialist audience when read aloud
- d) commence with one of these phrases, which will follow the name of the candidate:
- i. who investigated
- ii. who studied
- iii. who examined
- iv. who found
- v. who argues
- vi. whose work will benefit;
- e) contain a brief description of the research outcomes achieved or ‘found’
- f) indicate the impact of the research or its potential application
- g) not include technical or specialised terms that are not in general use;
- h) not use the candidate’s name within the text, but instead refer to ‘their findings’ where necessary.
Approval process
3.3. The principal supervisor must review and endorse the citation prior to approval by the Associate Dean (Graduate Research) (or nominee).
3.4. The candidate must make changes to the citation if it does not meet the requirements.
3.5. Senior academic staff who read PhD citations in graduation ceremonies may return a citation to the principal supervisor for urgent revision if they do not believe the citation will be comprehensible to the graduation audience.
3.6. In exceptional circumstances, senior academic staff who read PhD citations in graduation ceremonies may also make minor changes to improve comprehension for the audience.
Graduate Research Citation Process version 1.
Authorised by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate and International Research), 1 January 2025.