SUP AG /1 new format

postgraduate supervision

Guidelines for negotiating supervision

(With the University of Auckland’s Supervision Guidelines attached)

Adele Graham and Barbara Grant (Centre for Professional Development)

The University of Auckland, 2nd Edition.

© 2000 This document may be reprinted with acknowledgment.

INTRODUCTION

This booklet is a tool to assist the early discussions between supervisor and postgraduate student in which you establish the parameters of the supervision relationship. There are some basic issues which underpin effective supervision and, by discussing them, the foundations are laid for a good working relationship.

In preparing this booklet, we envisaged that both student and supervisor would respond to the questions below. One of the main objectives of this process is to share understandings so that there is agreement over fundamental (and often mistakenly assumed) beliefs and expectations. You will notice that space has been left for one of you to record your joint understandings. We suggest a copy is made of the completed document for each party.

We have put personal issues first because they are most immediate to the supervision process and then listed departmental and university-level issues that are also relevant. In the agreement between supervisor/s and student, some aspects may need to be renegotiated during the process.

If you would like further tools to assist supervision and overall management of the research process, there is a companion publication available from CPD entitled "Negotiating Supervision: Resources for PhD and Masters Students who are about to begin Supervision". Phone CPD’s receptionist on ext 8140 and request a copy be sent to you.

We would like to thank those post-graduate students and staff members at The University of Auckland who gave us helpful feedback in the revision of this booklet.

Important note in the event of joint supervision:

If there are two or more supervisors, we suggest that this document be negotiated amongst all parties.

Barbara Grant and Adele Graham,

June 2000.

Name of Student:

Name of Supervisor/s:

Date:

SUPERVISOR/STUDENT UNDERSTANDINGS

What is supervision?

What is the purpose of supervision?

What style of supervision would each of us prefer?

What are some of the myths about supervision that it might be useful for us to talk about?
Have you seen the University’s list of mutual responsibilities for supervisor and student (Supervision of Theses and Dissertations at Masters Level)?

What is a thesis?

What does "thesis" mean?

What form should a thesis proposal have?

What is the appropriate structure of a thesis?

What is the appropriate length?

What referencing conventions should I follow?

What is the difference between a thesis that passes and one that is first class? (This may be difficult to spell out exactly but the question can be the basis for a useful discussion.)

What are some titles of good thesis examples in this field?

What is meant by "originality"?

Who owns papers arising during and after thesis supervision?

3. Meetings:

How often shall we meet and for how long?

Where shall we meet?

Does the student have access to the supervisor outside of scheduled meeting times?

Who has responsibility to initiate meetings (if not scheduled regularly)?

Protocol for when one person can’t make the meeting?

Who is going to keep a record of our meetings?

4. Advice and support:

Development of the research proposal: how much input will the supervisor/s give; how will this proceed?

(Note: CPD has a booklet, "Writing a Proposal," for PhD students.)

Expectations of feedback: how much, how often, in what form, with how much notice?

Support with theoretical content eg resources, contacts: how much can be expected, given the supervisor’s knowledge of the area?

What other kinds of knowledge are needed eg of the research methods, of academic writing etc — what resources does the supervisor know of, how much help can s/he give?

Is it ok for the student to go to other people for advice along the way?

Are there relevant personal circumstances that might make the supervision or completion of the thesis difficult eg student suffering financial hardship or experiencing relationship difficulties or supervisor going on sabbatical, expecting a baby or ... ?

5. Managing the process:

What are the different stages in the research process?
How long should each stage take to complete?

Will goal setting be part of our discussion during meetings?

What would be a realistic completion date in view of our separate commitments and departmental/University policy?

6. Monitoring the effectiveness of our supervision:

How will we do this along the way?

7. Resolution of problems:

If problems arise, how will we raise them with each other?

If we can’t resolve them, what procedure is available within the Department?

Has the student seen a copy of the University’s document "Resolution of Problems for Postgraduate Students"?

8. Joint supervisors:

What contributions will be made by each supervisor?

Given the relative contributions of each supervisor, which model of joint supervision will work best? (eg co-supervisors, primary and secondary; primary and advisors/committee; primary and back-up)

If the model is co-supervision, who will organise our joint meetings?

If there is disagreement between joint supervisors about some issue arising from my work, how is this to be resolved?

9. Examination of the thesis:

Will the supervisor be one of the examiners?

How many examiners will there be in total?

How will the examiners be selected? Can the student have any input into this decision?

What do examiners look for in a thesis?

10. Any other issues relating to supervisor/student understandings?

DEPARTMENTAL EXPECTATIONS
& RESOURCES

Many departments publish a postgraduate handbook which usually includes information about many of the matters below. Before raising these questions with your supervisor, read the handbook and answer as many as you can.

1. What access does the student have to:

a study place, pigeon-hole etc?

tea/coffee facilities?

photocopying, interloan fees etc?

paid work eg tutoring?

computer?

conference funding/research grants? If available, how do I apply? When are the deadlines? Who can I contact for more information?

support services eg technical, secretarial?

2. What expectations does the department have of the student?

submission deadline?

seminar presentation of thesis in progress?

what else?

3. Other departmental issues?

UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS

Again, check your department’s (and faculty’s) postgraduate handbook as well as the University Calendar (or website) for this information. Note that the Senate Guidelines state that you are responsible for knowing the relevant regulations. However, your supervisor can help you to find out.

1. Extensions and deferment

What is the official deadline for submitting my thesis?

What are the protocols for extensions and deferment?

In the event that I need an extension over the summer, o r beyond, what will the position be regarding supervision?

2. Resolving grievances

What University-level channels are available in the event that one of us is not happy with the progress of the supervision and the department cannot or is inappropriate to resolve this?

2. Research ethics

What ethical issues need to be considered in the research project?

Do I need to apply for consent from the Human Subjects, or Animals, Ethics Committee?

How much input does the supervisor have into the application? (At Masters level the supervisor is the applicant.)

When does the Ethics Committee next meet? (Note: The dates for the year are usually published regularly in "Next Week".)

3. Other university-level issues?