my.UQ

My progress reviews

  1. Home
  2. Information and services
  3. Higher Degree by Research
  4. Manage my candidature
  1. Overview
  2. Early Candidature Checkpoint (ECC)
  3. Progress Review Criteria
  4. Review documentation
  5. How to organise a Progress Review
  1. Roles and responsibilities
  2. School and Institute Guidelines
  3. Outcomes
  4. FAQs

2. Early Candidature Checkpoint (ECC)

The Early Candidature Checkpoint (ECC) is a checklist completed by you and your principal advisor. This should take place:

  • 3 months FTE after commencement for an MPhil and
  • 3-6 months FTE after commencement for a PhD.

The purpose of the ECC is to ensure you have completed the required induction activities and are on track for your first Confirmation Review (R1).

Completing the ECC

Complete the online ECC request. You can refer to our guide for systems instructions. There is also further information below on how to address the different sections. Use this as an opportunity to prompt a discussion with your advisor. They will also need to complete their own version of the ECC. Both versions will be reviewed by the Director of HDR for your school or institute.

Complete ECC request

The checkpoint includes the following items:

  • Complete the Research Integrity Module (RITMOD): The RITMOD provides training in research integrity and design, authorship and ethics, data management and other integrity-related issues pertaining to research at UQ. You must pass the RITMOD (80% pass mark) prior to attempting Confirmation Review 1.
  • Set up your ORCID: ORCID is the authoritative source for external identifiers for UQ Researchers and HDR candidates. You will need to set up and register an ORCID with UQ and link this ID to your UQ eSpace profile before Confirmation Review (R1).
  • Attend local inductions: confirm that you have attended all necessary inductions and other training activities required in the first 3-6 months of your candidature (i.e., relevant orientation, health and safety inductions, etc.). Your advisor is best placed to guide you on what is necessary for your research project.
  • Set up your project in the UQ Research Data Manager (UQRDM): The UQRDM helps HDR candidates manage their research data, from conception to the publication and dissemination of results. You must set up a UQRDM Project prior to your ECC. 
  • Plan your individual development: you should identify and discuss your professional development needs with your principal advisor in the first 3 months of your candidature and revisit your development at each Progress Review. The Needs Analysis and Individual Development Plan on the UQ Career Development Framework (CDF) website is a useful tool for this purpose. You may also want to incorporate an industry placement into your HDR program.
  • Document professional development activities: you are required to maintain a portfolio or list of professional development activities undertaken during your candidature. The portfolio should be initiated in the first 3 months of your candidature and updated for each Progress Review. You can download a list of any CDF sessions you attend via your Student Hub portal, but you should also document activities you undertake outside of the CDF.
  • Advisor-Candidate expectations: You should discuss and agree on supervisory arrangements and expectations with your advisory team. It is a good idea to create a written summary with your advisory team for reference. (You can use the Expectations Questionnaire (DOCX, 23.2 KB) and Supervisory Expectations Questionnaire (PDF, 47.1 KB) to assist with this conversation if you like).
  • Discuss resourcing and support with your advisor: If you are both unsure about intellectual property and confidentiality, you can seek advice from your Faculty Research Partnerships Manager. As a general rule, if you have a third party involved in your research, you will likely need to have an agreement in place.