Supervision Strategies
When supervising postgraduate students, spending time getting the process off to a good start us an effective strategy because it makes later problems less likely. The early stage of of supervision is also vital to establishing mutual understanding and rapport, factors which in turn contribute to the quality of the relationship and to the likelihood of successful completion. It is important, however, to realise that many students will be uncomfortable with the prospect of negotiating supervision arrangements with a potential supervisor. For this reason it is probably your responsibility to manage this early stage and set the tone of open dialogue and purposeful action which should underpin the supervision
Adele Graham and Barbara Grant
available from the Staff Development and Training Unit Resource centre
Postgraduate study provides training and education with the objective of producing graduates with the capacity to conduct research independently at a high level of originality and quality.
At the end of their candidature, the student should be capable of conceiving, designing and carrying out to completion a research program without supervision.
The PhD project should uncover new knowledge, either by the discovery
of new facts, the formulation of new theories, or the innovative
re-interpretation of known data and established ideas. Assisting
a Postgraduate Research student reach this plane requires some specific
strategies. The following are suggestions made by experienced Flinders
postgraduate supervisors 
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Record Keeping
In order to "set the tone", you might find the following information forms useful:
- Expectations in Research Supervision.
This questionnaire is designed to facilitate discussion of expectations held by postgraduate research students and supervisors. The questions cover many of the issues that arise during supervision of a research degree. It is recommended that the form be completed independently by supervisor and student and that the responses be discussed at a supervision meeting. The major objective of this process is to assist the student and supervisor to establish an effective working relationship for the duration of the research project. - Background Information
This questionnaire simply gathers personal information about the student
Being a PhD Supervisor
This PDF document reflects Mike Lawson's personal experience
as a postgraduate supervisor. He has supervised a number of
PhD students and a larger number of other postgraduate students
undertaking research projects in areas of education and psychology.
Establishing a Rapport : Issues to consider
The following are lists of questions that should be addressed in the initial consultations
Personal Issues
Are there relevant personal circumstances that might make the supervision or completion of the thesis difficult e.g.
- student suffering financial hardship or experiencing relationship difficulties or
- supervisor going on study leave or expecting a baby or...?
- attitudes to supervisor/student relationship (eg mentor/mentee;
teacher/student; colleagues)
Time Frame
- How long should the different stages take to complete?
- What would be a realistic completion date in view of separate commitments and departmental policy?
Joint Supervisors
- What roles will be taken by each supervisor?
- If there is disagreement about methods etc. between joint supervisors, how is this to be resolved?
Written Information
- What departmental handbooks or other documents are relevant?
(eg examples of examiners' comments; examiners' assessment
criteria and guidelines for examiners; samples of previously
submitted work such as research proposals, seminar papers,
lit reviews, summaries, etc)
Access
- What access does the student have to..
- study place?
- a pigeon hole for mail?
- tea/coffee facilities?
- photocopying, interlibrary-loan fees, etc?
- paid work e.g. tutoring, demonstrating?
- laboratory equipment, other necessary research materials?
- funding/research grants?
- PC/email/internet etc
Expectations
- What expectations does the department have of the student?
- seminar presentation of thesis in progress
- progress reports
- what else?
Procedures
- What are the departmental procedures for monitoring/reviewing the supervision in the event that one of us is not happy with the progress of the supervision?
- Other departmental issues?
- University requirements?