The aims of the midway evaluation
The midway evaluation must be conducted before the candidate has reached 2/3 of the planned duration of the doctoral work.
The purposes of the midway evaluation are:
- To offer candidates an evaluation of the status, progress and preliminary results of their PhD project.
- To identify issues that might impede or delay the PhD project, and to propose ways of overcoming these issues.
Preparations
Before the PhD candidate is halfway through the planned duration of the doctoral work, the PhD Committee of Logistics will notify the candidate and the main supervisor that the time for a midway evaluation is coming up, and indicate an approximate time for this.
The main supervisor will then be asked to propose two opponents for the midway evaluation, one of which could not be an employee of Molde University College or the professional environment of the candidate. The first opponent will serve as chair of the midway evaluation.
- The opponents should have a documented research record relevant to the subject area of the candidate's doctoral project.
- The opponents must hold a doctoral degree or equivalent.
- The opponents could not have any joint publications with the candidate.
- The doctoral supervisors of the candidate are not eligible as opponents.
- Opponents which have served in this role related to the same supervisor within the last 3 years could not be nominated.
- The opponents must be approved by the chair of the PhD Committee of Logistics
Written report from the candidate
The PhD candidate will submit a progress report of maximum 3 pages to the opponents, with a copy to the supervisor(s), no later than two weeks prior to the midway evaluation. The report should cover the following items
- Scientific activity and results
- Publications
- Status vs the approved course plan
- An up-to-date plan of progress towards submission
- Identification of any problems or potential impediments
The candidate may, in addition, submit papers written as part of the doctoral work, but cannot expect a full review of these provided by the opponents. Even if the candidate writes a monograph, one would expect at least one conference paper to have been submitted to an academic conference.
The Midway Evaluation
The midway evaluation will comprise both an open, advertised session, and a closed session, which is only for the opponents, the candidate and the supervisor(s). The format of the midway evaluation may be either digital (video-based) or with physical presense of the actors. A mixed format is also possible.
The Open part
The open part contains:
- A 20-minute presentation given by the candidate, focusing on the contents of the progress report
- A 20-minute session where opponents and the audience could ask questions or provide feedback
The Closed part
The closed part contains a session between the candidate, the opponents and the supervisor(s), where more detailed feedback could be provided, focusing on important issues for the remainder of the doctoral work.
Report from the opponents
After the midway evaluation, the opponents will fill out the designated evaluation form, which is to be handed over to the candidate, the supervisors, the employer (academic department, or other) and The PhD Committee of Logistics. If the opponents find it necessary, they may propose extra follow-up actions like:
- Suggest concrete changes in the planned activities or material presented
- Recommend a more frequent reporting of progress
- Suggest changes to the plan of progress
- Suggest changes in the tutoring of the PhD project