The Supervisor's Role

Read each pair of statements, estimate your position and mark it on the scale.

1. The supervisor should direct the student in the development of an appropriate programme of research and study

1   2   3   4   5

The supervisor should act mainly as a sounding board for the student's ideas and give advice

2. The supervisor should initiate frequent meetings with the student

1   2   3   4   5

It is up to the student to decide when a meeting with the supervisor is wanted

3. The supervisor should know at all times on which problems the student is working

1   2   3   4   5

Students should have the opportunity to find their own way without having to account for how they spend their time

4. The supervisor has direct responsibility for the standard of the thesis

1   2   3   4   5

The supervisor advises only and should leave all decisions on standards to the student

5. The supervisor should assist in the actual writing of the thesis if the student has difficulties

1   2   3   4   5

The supervisor should be well aware of the need not to contribute too much to the thesis

6. Staff-student relationships are purely professional and personal matters should not intrude

1   2   3   4   5

Close personal relationships are essential for successful supervision

Adapted by D.S. Pugh from:
I. Moses (1992) Research training and supervision, Canberra: AV-CC and NBEET.

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