Supervisor expectations

Supervision in semesters 1 and 2

Supervision timeline:

1. Supervisors assigned in weeks 4-5

    Note: students without a project outline will delay the allocation of supervisors.

2. Student contacts supervisor to request a meeting as soon as possible
3. Student and supervisor discuss expectations in first meeting*
   1. expectations for email communication
   2. expectations for meetings
   • whether you will meet with your supervisor on an individual or group basis
   • if there are any days or periods of time throughout the 2 semesters that your supervisor will be unavailable
   • agreed milestones for submission of work
   3. expectations for feedback
   • upon submitting work to your supervisors, after what period of time can you expect to receive feedback
   • the form that feedback will take – provided verbally or in writing

Considerations for supervision

• The project is intended to show that the student is capable of independent research. This means it is your responsibility to contact your supervisor.
• Supervisors are there to provide guidance with this process. They are a resource for you to make good use of, but they are not there to tell you what to do or make your decisions for you.
• Supervisors are asked to comment on your use of their time and guidance. Although not formally given a mark, this information may be given to examiners.
• You will develop your research skills through the taught lectures and seminars and through meetings with your dissertation supervisor.
• Your supervisor may not be an expert in the topic area of your research; however all staff are experienced in research projects.

 

Your supervisor will

• help you to clarify an appropriate research problem
• advise on methodology, data analyses, interpretation and presentation
• provide assistance with practical problems as appropriate

 

Your supervisor will not

• decide on a topic area for investigation
• work out the detailed methodology which you need to employ
• write the dissertation for you
• recruit participants for you
• undertake analysis
• be responsible for the standard of your work or the mark your work receives