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Postgraduate Pages

• Introduction
• BA (Hons)
• MA
• PhD
• Supervisors and Thesis Writers
• Library Resources
• Postgraduate Resources
• Financial Support

Expectations and Obligations of Supervisors and Thesis Writers

Introduction

At the outset of thesis work a clear understanding should be reached between a supervisor and student on the following issues. the purpose(s) of their meetings; frequency of meetings; the type and extent of feedback and assistance which would be most useful to the student; deadlines for submission of work; any part-time paid work the student is doing or intends to do which may affect progress. There should be an agreed written record of the conclusions reached, with a copy held by both parties. Students should keep supervisors informed, and supervisors should enquire about any later change of circumstances about paid employment.

Students should have regular appointments with their supervisors at least once a month and sometimes more frequently, particularly at the beginning and end of work on a thesis.
Note that the senior supervisor has a responsibility to inform the Research Committee and the student if he or she is of the opinion that the student is unlikely to achieve the degree.

Thesis Writers

A. What they can expect from their supervisors

1. Help in:
   (i) defining the topic at the beginning and as work proceeds;
   (ii) indicating likely primary material and secondary reading and ways of keeping up-to-date;
   (iii) establishing and adapting as necessary a timetable for work;
   (iv) solving problems and keeping the topic manageable as work proceeds;
   (v) requesting written work, as appropriate, to help ensure the student is working to the agreed timetable;
   (vi) prompt reading and commenting in detail as necessary on drafts, including details of technical presentation. Note, however, that the supervisor cannot be expected to act as copy editor.
   (vii) meeting the programme requirement that the student talk about his or her work to either the Programme's research seminar or its annual thesis research conference.
2. (i) Encouragement especially when the going seems hard, and praise of good work.
   (ii) Honest but constructive criticism in writing which makes persistent problems clear, as well as providing advice on what needs to be done.
3. (i) Maintaining contact through regular meetings to take stock of progress, as agreed to in discussions with the student.
   (ii) Availability by appointment to help with problems and undivided attention in an interview.
4. Accurate information about regulations and possible sources of financial help.

B. Their obligations

1. Recognition that the work is primarily theirs (and that they will rapidly know more in detail about their subjects than their supervisors).
   The initiative should come from the student in
   (i) suggesting an area of study;
   (ii) undertaking further work to define it;
   (iii) finding primary and secondary material;
   (iv) discussing with the supervisor the type of guidance and comment found most helpful;
   (v) raising problems or difficulties, however elementary they may seem.
2. Regular reports to supervisors on the progress of their work.
3. Reliability and punctuality in submitting work and keeping appointments.
4. Presentation of their work to either the Programme's research seminar or its annual thesis research conference.

Supervisors

What they can expect of students

Implied in B above

Their obligations

Implied in A above, and also

1. Determining that the subject proposed is viable and the sources adequate.
2. Prompt responses to requests for help.
3. Keeping in touch, and taking steps to restore contact if it is lost, especially if the deadline for Honours is near. (The Director of Graduate Students should be kept informed of any problems.)
4. To provide encouragement and moral support as well as honest, constructive criticism.
5. Acting as a referee for employment or further academic work (when sufficient work has been done to provide a basis for a reference).

Many supervisors may well offer much more, including advice and help in the further development of a student's work and career.

Director of Graduate Students

Responsibilities include

1. discussing with prospective thesis writers the research projects that may be undertaken in the Programme. Such a discussion is to determine in general terms whether the Programme is able to provide adequate supervision and resources for the such students.
2. overseeing the enrolment and subsequent progress of thesis writers by seeing that formal thesis proposals and, subsequently, regular reports are received and considered by the Programme's Research Committee.
3. being available to help with any problems or difficulties encountered by thesis writers.
4. receiving any complaints about supervision or on any other matter from thesis writers.

Research Committee: Terms of Reference

1. The Committee is constituted to assist the Head of Programme in carrying out his/her responsibilities to act in consultation with members of the Programme.

2. Membership of the Committee consists of the HOD (or nominee) as convenor, the Director of Graduate Studies (DOGS), and three other members, nominated by HOD and approved by the permanent staff of the Programme at a staff meeting.

3. The business of the Committee is to facilitate and promote the research of the full-time academic staff and of postgraduate thesis students and to make recommendations to the Head of Programme on these matters.

4.

1. In respect of staff members, the Committee will:
   Advise the Programme Co-ordinator on policy in relation to the research activity of programme members Consider applications by staff members to the University internal grants round and rank applicants for consideration by the University Research Committee
   Organise the annual Research Day and Research Activities Exercise
   Advise the Programme Co-ordinator on any action to be taken in relation to the results of these.
   
2. In respect of postgraduate thesis students, the Committee will:
   • Consider and approve each proposal for enrolment in MA and PhD by thesis and each PhD registration application 6 months after enrolment.
   • Consider formal progress reports and provide prompt feedback to student/s and supervisor/s.
   • Determine final grades for MA thesis students on the basis of examination reports, and oversee measures taken by DOGS to resolve disputed MA grades.
   • Provide guidelines and formulate policies concerning the relationship between supervisors and thesis students.
   • Investigate particular difficulties which arise between supervisors and thesis writers and make recommendations to the Programme Co-ordinator about the handling of these difficulties.
   
3. The Committee will ensure that programme procedures and standards in respect of MA and PhD work are maintained, consistent with University regulations on the same matters.
   
4. Research Committee will only approve MA and PhD enrolment proposals and PhD registration applicants after it is satisfied that they meet all the requirements of the Programme and adhere to University regulations.
   
5. The Programme Co-ordinator or Committee Convenor or Programme meeting can refer any matter within the Committee's purview to the Committee, which will then usually make a recommendation to a Programme meeting.
   
6. The Committee will normally meet monthly during term time.
   

Resolving disputes

The Programme seeks to resolve disputes between students and lecturers directly and informally. When this is not possible formal procedures are available.

Honours Students

If at any time a student is dissatisfied with any matter affecting his or her progress in postgraduate work (such as the marking of an essay or dissatisfaction with supervision), the student should first discuss the matter with the lecturer of the Honours course or the supervisor. In the case of a dispute over assessment, a student can ask to have his or her views considered by an external assessor. (All Honours coursework is externally assessed.) If an Honours student remains dissatisfied with any other matter, he or she should consult the Honours Co-ordinator or the Head of Programme.

MA/PhD Candidates

If a thesis writer is dissatisfied with the supervision provided or any other matter affecting his or her progress, he or she should report the matter to the Director of Graduate Students or the Programme Co-ordinator. If the student is still dissatisfied, he or she may take the matter to the Joint Academic Grievance Committee, or to the Dean of Postgraduate Studies.