Doctor of Philosophy in Operations Research

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to enable the learner to produce a Doctoral Research thesis which meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing under supervision in the discipline of Operations Research.

Rationale

The qualification caters for doctoral level studies to enhance rational bases for decision making through understanding and structuring complex situations by making use of information technology, advanced analytical methods and numerical techniques. The purpose of this qualification is to enable the student to produce a doctoral research thesis, which meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing under supervision in the various specialisations within Management Studies. The doctorate provides training for an academic career. It requires a candidate to undertake research at the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. The defining characteristic of this qualification is that the candidate is required to demonstrate high level research capability and to make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of a specialisation in Management Studies. The work must be of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication. The degree may be earned through pure discipline-based or multi-disciplinary research or applied research.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Admission may be granted through RPL to learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.

All admissions through RPL must be in accordance with the principles laid down in the University of South Africa (Unisa) RPL Policy.

This qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through Recognition of Prior Learning.

The Unisa RPL office can supply full details of processes relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records.

All such evidence should be judged according to the general principle of assessment described in the notes to assessors.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry requirements

A Master's Degree, Level 9 in the field of Operations Research/Quantitative Management or a related field.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Operations Research consists of two compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

Modules

• Research Proposal, 0 Credits.
• Research Project and Thesis, 360 Credits.

1. Demonstrate high level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of a discipline or field in Operations Research.
2. Supervise and evaluate the research of others in the area of specialisation concerned.
3. Write the thesis in a language that complies with the University of South Africa (Unisa) Language Policy as well as the accepted standards for presentation of research and knowledge in the chosen discipline.

Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• A coherent and critical understanding of the most advanced research methodologies, techniques and technologies appropriate to research in a selected discipline within Operations Research.
• A research project that addresses a complex, possibly ill-defined problem in a selected discipline within Operations Research is identified, conceptualised, designed, planned and implemented.
• Peer review of the research is undertaken and the research is approved of.
• Publication of the thesis is merited.

Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• A coherent and critical understanding of the most advanced research methodologies, techniques and technologies appropriate to research in a selected discipline within Operations Research is displayed.
• The research of others is evaluated.
• A research project is undertaken and research report (thesis) is compiled drawing systematically on the theory, research methods and literature of a selected discipline within Operations Research.

Assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Language proficiency in the discipline is displayed.
• The referencing style prescribed by the discipline is complied with.

Integrated Assessment

All assessments are conducted in line with the principles of assessment as defined in the University of South Africa (UNISA) Assessment Policy.

Submitted proposals are assessed and approved by the supervisor and Departmental Research and Higher Degrees Committee to be ratified by the College Research and Higher Degrees Committee.

When a learner's thesis is nearing completion, he/she informs the Registrar of his/her intention to submit if for examination at least two months before the anticipated date. After consultation with the co-supervisor (where applicable), the supervisor gives the learner permission to submit.

Assessment will include input from three external examiners, and all must be recognised experts in their fields and must not be attached to or affiliated with UNISA. At least one of the external examiners should be from a county other than South Africa. All examiners are recommended by the Department Chairperson and/or Departmental Research and Higher Degrees Committee and their names are forwarded for appointment by the College Management Committee.

The completed report of the panel of examiners is regarded as the examiners' final recommendation. The result of the doctoral thesis is based on a judicious appraisal of the examiners' reports.

After the result of the learner's thesis has been approved, the non-examining chairperson makes the examiners' report available to the Chairperson of the Department, the supervisor, the co-supervisor, the learner and the other examiners if requested.

In addition, learners must demonstrate the ability to engage in the field of Operations Research in an integrative way, dealing with Information Science challenges strategically and effectively. It is recommended for this ability to be demonstrated by the publication of at least one article based on the research, in a scientific peer reviewed journal.