Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences is to provide training for an academic career in the field of Health Sciences. It requires a learner to research the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. A learner may also present peer-reviewed academic articles and papers in partial fulfilment of the research requirements. Through the qualification, learners will be provided with the opportunity to undertake independent research and advanced study under the guidance of a supervisor in a particular subject area within the Health Sciences (including Psychology, Physiology, Occupational Hygiene, Human Movement Science, Nursing Science, Recreation Science and Public Health) building on knowledge normally gained at Master's or equivalent level. The thesis presented must constitute a substantial contribution to the national and international advancement of knowledge and understanding in the Health Sciences through original research that meets international standards.

Rationale

The rationale of the qualification is to provide learners with highly advanced knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in several specialist areas in the Health Sciences. These attributes provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, as well as the pursuit of gainful economic activity and the ability to make rewarding contributions to society. The qualification provides South Africa with significant numbers of experts in the Health Sciences to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based scholarly activity is wide. The qualification includes the development of new knowledge frameworks for the expansion of the field of the Health Sciences in general.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, the institution uses RPL to grant access to the qualification. The institution applies RPL according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, credit accumulation and transfer, and assessment (CHE 2016) and the institution's RPL policy. The Faculty of Health Sciences manages the RPL process.

• Using the RPL policy, the Faculty of Health Sciences implements quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems.
• Learners must have NQF Level 9 competencies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum admission requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Philosophy in Health Sciences, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consists of a compulsory module(s) at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 10, 360 Credits

• Thesis, 360 Credits.

After completion of the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, learners should be able to demonstrate the achievement of the following specific and critical cross-field outcomes:

1. Demonstrate a depth of knowledge and high levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area of the Health Sciences.
2. Demonstrate intellectual independence and advanced research skills through the ability to apply sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies for the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems in a specific field of the Health Sciences and the competence to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and research findings within relevant local and global contexts as well as across disciplines.
3. Deal with complexity, lacunae and contradictions in the knowledge base of the Health Sciences.
4. Autonomously generate, synthesise and evaluate information and concepts at highly abstract levels and make sound evaluations based on independently generated criteria.

5.Question and create responses to problems that expand or redefine existing knowledge.

6.Show mastery of the literature and state of research in a specific area.

1. Demonstrate research leadership within a field or across disciplines, including the ability to plan, resource, manage and optimise all aspects of research processes engaged in, within complex and unpredictable contexts.
2. Demonstrate high levels of responsibility, self-reflexivity and adaptability, concerning the ethical implications of research, the determination of socially relevant issues and research needs in South Africa, and the ability to relate these issues to international contexts.

The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes

• Generate and display specialised knowledge and high levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area within the field of Health Sciences and across specialised or applied areas and make an original contribution to the knowledge society in the relevant discipline.
• Apply and develop intellectual independence and advanced research skills, sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies to the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems in the field of Health Sciences.
• Apply and develop competence to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and research findings within relevant local and global contexts as well as across disciplines in the field of health sciences.
• Generate, synthesise and evaluate information and concepts at highly abstract levels and make sound evaluations based on independently generated criteria.
• Show mastery of the literature by producing original insights into new and complex ideas, information and issues in a specific area of the field of Health Sciences.
• Plan, resource, manage and optimise all aspects of research processes within complex and unpredictable contexts in the field of Health Sciences.

Integrated Assessment

The research proposal defence and feedback from the Scientific Committee forms part of the Formative Assessment. Summative Assessment includes the submission of a thesis in which the learner presents integrated research findings. The learner interprets and links findings to the existing literature with a level of novelty, across the entire area of investigation for summative assessment.