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1 |
planning an appropriate research project with the candidate. This planning will initially include: |
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- evaluating the feasibility of the proposed research topic; |
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- discussing the value of the research; |
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- ensuring that the scope of the research is appropriate to the degree; |
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- ensuring that he or she has the necessary knowledge/expertise to effectively supervise the student in the area chosen; |
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- ensuring that adequate resources and funding will exist to support the project; |
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2 |
becoming well acquainted with the candidate's academic background so that if the candidate needs additional skills and/or knowledge to undertake the proposed research project, the candidate can be informed how these might be acquired; |
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3 |
suggesting ways that the candidate can make the most effective use of time. This will include planning of the research program, suggesting appropriate research methods/techniques to be used and ensuring the availability of library resources in the field and bibliographical and technical assistance; |
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making the student aware at the beginning of the candidature of any theoretical, methodological and/or philosophical assumptions held by the supervisor that might impact on the research project or the working relationship between the supervisor and candidate; |
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informing the student about any planned long leave (or retirement) during the candidature and the arrangements made to provide effective supervision during such an absence; |
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ensuring the student is aware at the start of the candidature of any confidentiality agreements that are associated with the proposed research; |
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ensuring the candidate's project has appropriate ethical and/or biosafety approval (if applicable), that the candidate is aware of issues of intellectual property and that the candidate's research is conducted in accordance with the university's occupational health and safety requirements; |
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8 |
handling the student maintenance allocation paid from the University Research budget; |
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maintaining close and regular contact with the student and establishing at the beginning of the candidature the basis on which contact will be made. This will facilitate the supervisor's role in advising the student on the pace of progress, and ensuring that a reasonable timetable is set to permit the degree to be completed in the appropriate time. Supervision sessions should be structured so that it is relatively easy to exchange ideas; |
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requiring written work from the student on a pre-arranged and agreed schedule so that his or her progress can be assessed at regular intervals. Constructive and critical comments should be made on any written work presented to the supervisor during the candidature. In each instance, a turnaround time for any submitted work should be established; |
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ensuring that any criticism is given in a constructive, supportive and sensitive fashion. The supervisor needs to recognise that doing a research degree is an emotional as well as an intellectual commitment; students will be discouraged by continual harsh criticism; |
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fulfilling administrative obligations regarding the student's candidature which includes supporting the student in relation to outside organisations and funding agencies; ensuring appropriate access to the facilities of the AOU and reminding the student to advise the University in writing of any changes in their candidature (ie, change of field of study, request for intermission, etc); |
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13 |
monitoring carefully the performance of the student relative to the standard for the degree, and ensuring that inadequate progress or work below the standard generally expected is brought to the student's attention. The supervisor should assist with developing solutions to problems as they are identified. Where a supervisor perceives that it may become necessary to recommend that the candidature be terminated because of unsatisfactory progress, then the supervisor should give the candidate a preliminary warning, in writing, to that effect; |
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14 |
being alert to the development of the kind of research that requires expenditures not identified in the original application for admission to candidature. The supervisor should keep in touch with the research to ensure that resources are available; if the research develops in such a way as to require additional resources, the matter should be brought immediately to the attention of the Executive Dean of the Faculty, and where appropriate, Office of Research and research funding bodies; |
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using the regular reporting procedures established by the University as the minimum means by which any difficulties and problems discussed during the year are noted; and supervisors should indicate the action taken or advice given. If a problem is not resolved, the AOU Head (or nominee) should be consulted in the first instance. The AOU Head (or nominee) and the Executive Dean of the Faculty should be notified in writing of continuing problems between reporting periods. The supervisor shall participate in the annual review of progress together with the candidate and the AOU Head (or nominee). |
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immediately informing the AOU Head (or nominee) should the supervisory relationship break down. In such an instance, the AOU Head should ensure that other supervisory arrangements are made to the satisfaction of the student. Where the supervisor is the AOU Head the Executive Dean of the Faculty shall ensure that satisfactory supervisory arrangements are made; |
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17 |
notifying the Faculty General Manager of the candidate's intention to submit; |
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commenting critically on the content and the drafts of the thesis and, at the time of submission, check that the thesis is properly presented, conforms to the specifications for the thesis and is of sufficient standard to be, prima facie, worthy of examination; |
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advising the faculty of the names and credentials of suitable examiners. |
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ensuring that the student is aware that all publications and presentations that arise directly from research undertaken for a higher degree at Flinders University, whether published or presented during a higher degree candidature at Flinders University or subsequently, must carry a Flinders University attribution. These requirements do not preclude additional attribution to other appropriate institutions. |
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