A comparison between the conceptions of research of candidates enrolled for standard PhD and integrated PhD programmes

© 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Conceptions of research, which lead to approaches to research, provide useful insights into how candidates think about research. In terms of doctoral candidate development, understanding and appreciating these various conceptions can assist in supporting candidate learning. This study evaluated differences in conceptions of research between PhD candidates commencing at an Australian university in the standard PhD programme, and those in a new structured programme termed the Integrated PhD. An online survey was distributed to both cohorts and as the findings showed, respondents’ conceptions of research were not significantly different for most categories, except Research as testing by data/experiment. Other key differences between the cohorts included their motivations for undertaking a PhD and the type of learning assistance required. The results highlight the need for structured support to help develop candidates’ understandings of knowledge creation and to recognise the variations in candidates’ conceptions of research and hence their research learning approaches

“After a finding of Noncompliance, What?!”

Treaties have long been the cornerstones of international relations. They can be seen as one of the sole mechanisms to formalize agreements between sovereign states. In principle, these agreements are legally binding. In practice, the result is less certain. Issues ranging from the how the country views itself on the international stage to the specific treaty terms and enforcement mechanisms can all effect prospects for compliance. What is certain is the disruption and uncertainty that noncompliance causes. If not addressed, a treaty’s utility will eventually erode to the point where the agreement has no force. Other countries would also perceive little value in treaty ratification if compliance cannot be sufficiently verified. This report focuses on current issues of noncompliance with Russia, Syria, Iran, and North. Korea. Key themes arise across these cases and point to specific factors that impact treaty compliance. The report distills these key themes into general and case-specific recommendations for bringing a country back from noncompliance

A comparison between the conceptions of research of candidates enrolled for standard PhD and integrated PhD programmes

Conceptions of research, which lead to approaches to research, provide useful insights into how candidates think about research. In terms of doctoral candidate development, understanding and appreciating these various conceptions can assist in supporting candidate learning. This study evaluated differences in conceptions of research between PhD candidates commencing at an Australian university in the standard PhD programme, and those in a new structured programme termed the Integrated PhD. An online survey was distributed to both cohorts and as the findings showed, respondents’ conceptions of research were not significantly different for most categories, except Research as testing by data/experiment. Other key differences between the cohorts included their motivations for undertaking a PhD and the type of learning assistance required. The results highlight the need for structured support to help develop candidates’ understandings of knowledge creation and to recognise the variations in candidates’ conceptions of research and hence their research learning approaches

Improvement of salt and waterlogging tolerance in wheat: comparative physiology of Hordeum marinum-Triticum aestivum amphiploids with their H. marinum and wheat parents

Hordeum marinum Huds. is a waterlogging-tolerant halophyte that has been hybridised with bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to produce an amphiploid containing both genomes. This study tested the hypothesis that traits associated with waterlogging and salinity tolerances would be expressed in H. marinum-wheat amphiploids. Four H. marinum accessions were used as parents to produce amphiploids with Chinese Spring wheat, and their responses to hypoxic and 200mM NaCl were evaluated. Relative growth rate (RGR) in the hypoxic-saline treatment was better maintained in the amphiploids (58-71% of controls) than in wheat (56% of control), but the amphiploids were more affected than H. marinum (68-97% of controls). In hypoxic-saline conditions, leaf Na+ concentrations in the amphiploids were lower than in wheat (30-41% lower) but were 39-47% higher than in the H. marinum parents. A strong barrier to radial oxygen loss formed in basal root zones under hypoxic conditions in two H. marinum accessions; this barrier was moderate in the amphiploids, absent in wheat, and was weaker for the hypoxic-saline treatment. Porosity of adventitious roots increased with the hypoxic treatments; values were 24-38% in H. marinum, 16-27% in the amphiploids and 16% in wheat. Overall, the amphiploids showed greater salt and waterlogging tolerances than wheat, demonstrating the expression of relevant traits from H. marinum in the amphiploids