Mid-term Evaluation Procedure and Criteria
International Doctoral School
Medical University of Lodz
Legal basis
The mid-term evaluation is conducted on the basis of:
- the Act of 20 July 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws 2018, item 1668, as amended);
- the Regulations of the International Doctoral School of the Medical University of Lodz, introduced by Resolution No. 289/2019 of the Senate of the Medical University of Lodz of 28 May 2019, as amended.
Purpose of the mid-term evaluation
The purpose of the mid-term evaluation is to:
- assess the implementation of the Individual Research Plan (IRP);
- verify the progress in the preparation of the doctoral dissertation;
- assess the quality of academic supervision provided by the supervisor(s).
Timing of the evaluation
The mid-term evaluation is carried out halfway through the education period outlined in the doctoral programme, but no later than by the end of the 5th semester of study. The evaluation schedule is determined by the Director of the Doctoral School and published on the University’s website.
Scope of the evaluation
The evaluation covers in particular:
- implementation of the research project and the dissertation preparation timetable;
- theoretical foundations and methodology of the conducted research;
- advancement of the research work forming the basis of the doctoral dissertation;
- measurable research outputs, including: dissertation outline, completed chapters or coherent fragments, published or submitted scientific articles;
- participation in scientific conferences, summer/winter schools, workshops, training courses or other forms of skills development;
- presentation of research results at national or international scientific conferences;
- research internships completed at renowned Polish or foreign research centres;
- activity related to obtaining research funding, including grants or research projects.
Documents required for the evaluation
The basis for conducting the mid-term evaluation consists of:
- the Individual Research Plan;
- a report on the implementation of the Individual Research Plan, prepared by the doctoral student in Polish and English, reviewed by the supervisor(s) and submitted in both paper and electronic form via the Director of the Doctoral School, within the deadline specified in the schedule (template – Appendix No. 3 to the Regulations);
- annual progress reports submitted after the first and second year of education;
- an evaluation of the quality of academic supervision provided by the supervisor(s) (template – Appendix No. 4 to the Regulations);
- an evaluation interview during which the doctoral student presents their scientific achievements related to the preparation of the doctoral dissertation.
Mid-term Evaluation Committee
The mid-term evaluation is conducted by the Mid-term Evaluation Committee, appointed by the scientific council of the relevant discipline upon the request of the Director of the Doctoral School. The Committee consists of three members, including at least one person holding the post-doctoral degree (dr hab.) or the title of professor in the discipline concerned, employed outside the Medical University of Lodz. The supervisor and auxiliary supervisor may not be members of the Committee. At least one doctoral student representative participates in the Committee meetings as an observer.
Evaluation result
The mid-term evaluation concludes with a positive or negative result. The evaluation result together with its justification is public and published on the University’s website. Failure to submit the required documents or unjustified absence from the evaluation results in a negative evaluation outcome. In the event of a negative result, the doctoral student is removed from the list of doctoral students in accordance with § 35 of the Regulations of the International Doctoral School