Postgraduate Research Supervision

Key Factors in Postgraduate Research Supervision - A Guide for Supervisors is designed to inform and support university academics and researchers who are taking on the responsibilities of postgraduate research student supervision. It is aimed at early career professionals, who may be undertaking supervision for the first time, and also experienced supervisors seeking to develop a more formal framework for their supervision, in an increasingly complex academic environment. The objective of the book is to help supervisors create the complete postgraduate student. That is, an individual who can develop the rigors and disciplines of research conduct and research writing, as well as a broader understanding of the environment in which many postgraduate qualified professionals will work. The majority of postgraduate research students in the modern world ultimately use their acquired skills to work outside the university research environment, so emphasis is given to preparing research students for these varied roles, which can include management; commercial research or start-up company pathways. Any competent academic can be a good research supervisor when things are going well. Real supervisory skills only come into play when things have gone awry. That is when a professional and structured approach to problem solving and conflict resolution is required. This book seeks to provide the framework in which supervisors can develop such an approach. The topics covered in this text cover the spectrum of the supervisory process, from understanding the university research environment, through to recruiting students; induction; planning of the research program; peer review and thesis/dissertation preparation. Additionally, important peripheral issues, such as preparing graduates for various future roles; managing collaborative research programs; managing cases of misfeasance, and developing long-term relationships with students are also covered.

This book provides a basic introduction to the supervision of postgraduate studies. At the centre of each discussion are examples of best practices and guidelines on how to deal with all aspects associated with postgraduate supervision. Both the postgraduate student and the novice supervisor are targeted in this book, although seasoned supervisors could also benefit from the reflections. In the development of a supervision culture a comprehensive research guide is needed.

Recognising that graduate supervisory practice is not an abstracted academic pursuit, but an activity that is subjectively bounded by content and context, impacted by the experiences and beliefs of supervisee and supervisor, this text explores the unique dynamics of graduate supervision in the Global South, as perceived and experienced by students and academics within those same contexts. Bringing together contributions which reflect a rich diversity of perspectives on supervisory practices at regional universities in the Caribbean and South Pacific, Graduate Research Supervision in the Developing World explores how supervisors navigate unscripted supervisory terrain; contextualise supervisory best practices; establish roles and relationships, and work to understand supervisees’ needs. By highlighting the effect on graduate supervision of complex sociocultural interplay and the relationship between learning environments and student success, contributors look to locate best practices through analyses of stories of success and failure. As the contributors demonstrate, there is a need to restructure the standardised operation of graduate supervision across diverse faculties. This text will be of great interest to graduate supervisors and their supervisees as well as scholars in the fields of continuing professional development and higher education, in international and comparative education and Sociology of Education.

This anthology concerns itself with the relationships between postgraduate research candidates and their supervisors. It includes approximately 50 contributors, both candidates and supervisors (many writing collaboratively), reflecting upon the pleasures and perplexing dynamics of supervisory relations. Personal anecdotes are presented alongside critical reflections and pedagogical theorizing. Specific chapters address topics like gender, creative theses, library representation, power and voice, mentoring, transcultural supervision, and the co-construction of knowledge. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR.

This engaging book outlines effective strategies for supervising students on a wide variety of research projects, whether at undergraduate or postgraduate level. It covers each stage of the research journey and provides guidance on working with students to define research topics, select appropriate methodologies, write up theses and prepare for the viva. It also supports supervisors in establishing and maintaining good supervisory practices, and shows how supervisors can help students to help themselves. This will be essential reading for supervisors of undergraduate or postgraduate research projects, dissertations and theses. It is also an ideal resource for student researchers looking to get the most out of their relationship with their supervisor. New to this Edition: - New content on cross-cultural supervision, online distance supervision and sustaining research communities and networks

What kind of problems are encountered while undertaking postgraduate study? How are these problems best avoided or resolved? How can the student/supervisor relationship be improved? This practical guide is based on a series of successful workshops on postgraduate supervision and presents the most frequently encountered difficulties in the student/supervisor relationship. Detailed but concise case studies offer realistic solutions to the thirty issues discussed, including: Conflict Culture Distance Funding Isolation Language Management Plagiarism Priority Time Transfer Write-up Each case study raises important questions to generate discussion, and suggests solutions and preventative measures. The book also includes a section that shows how the case studies can be used in a teaching workshop setting. Effective Postgraduate Supervision is essential reading for supervisors of postgraduate degrees including those at masters and doctoral level as well as prospective and current postgraduate research students.

An excellent collection of diverse and deeply reflective perspectives. All offer insights into the multiple challenges confronted in improving the quality and depth of postgraduate supervision, increasing throughput, and dealing with complexity. What is also affirmed is the importance of individual capability in supervision that is developed and nurtured over time, and through arduous effort. The book will be of value to novice supervisors and to more experienced ones. Policy makers, planners and administrators looking to enlarge their understanding of the postgraduate terrain in all its complexities will find the mix of theoretical and practical lenses through which the topic is approached particularly illuminating. - Professor Narend Baijnath, Chief Executive Officer, Council on Higher Education