Some of the content in this presentation is university specific - this is identified on the slides

1. Postgraduate Research
Supervision
Carol Haigh
Postgraduate Research Degrees
Coordinator
IHSCR
University of Salford (UoS)
2007

2. Aims of this session
• To provide an overview of the role of a
supervisor
• To raise awareness of the specific
progression points of the PhD process
• To provide insight into the information
provided to students about the supervison
process

3. Managing
the
supervision
process as a
supervisor

4. The role of the supervisor
• The relationship between supervisor & PhD
student is very different from other
supervisory relationships.
• Negotiation is key
• The expectations of both parties
should be made clear at the start

5. Duties & responsibilities of the
supervisor 1
• Clarify supervision arrangements and the
role of progress meeting are clear and
agreed.
• Assist in the planning and operation of a
realistic plan of research.
• Provide guidance about literature
• Give examples of good research and
academic conduct

6. Duties & responsibilities of the
supervisor 2
• Provide or arrange instruction in research
techniques and supplementary classes as
required
• Ensure student safety. (Hazard assessment)
• Encourage integration with the wider
academic community via
conferences etc
• Monitor standards and progress

7. Duties & responsibilities of the
supervisor 3
• Ensure that the appropriate documents and
milestones are met in order for the student to
progress.
• Ensure that the student understands the nature and
process of thesis examination
• Make recommendations on the selection of
examiners
• Make it clear that approval of the thesis is a
matter for the examiners not the supervisor

8. Duties & responsibilities of the
supervisor 4
• Protect the students intellectual property
rights
• Advise on the preparation of material for
publication
• Maintain a sensitivity to the particular need
of overseas students
• Be aware of issues such as data
protection and the use of electronic media

9. UoS Important Milestones 1
• Learning agreement
– In the first 3 months for full time student, first 6
months for part time.
• Annual progress report
– MUST be completed by supervisor EVERY year
• Interim Assessment
– 15-18months for full time students, 24-30
months for part time students.
– 4000 word report on progress so far,
future directions

10. UoS Important Milestones 2
• Internal Evaluation
– 12 months after interim assessment for full time
students (27 – 30 months), 20 months after interim for
part time student (44-50 months)
– Requires a “substantive piece of work”
• Viva
– Significant paperwork
– 1 internal, 1 external for external students
– 2 externals for staff candidates

11. Also…
• It is not inappropriate for supervisors to
have serious amounts of in-put to LREC
applications since such applications are
often new to the student
• LRECs (and students) like it very much if
supervisors attend the committee with their
student

12. Managing
the
supervision
process as a
student

13. Duties & responsibilities of the
student 1
• Seek advice and constructive criticism
• Work with supervisor to meet all
important milestones
• Integrate with the academic community
• Attend such research training as
offered or provided by the supervisor
• Attend regular supervisory meetings

14. Duties & responsibilities of the
student 2
• Undertaking occasional presentation of work to
peers
• Publishing work with the prior knowledge of the
supervisor
• Writing and preparing the thesis
• Planning submission within scheduled
regulation period
• To study conscientiously and at a level
appropriate to the level of the research degree

15. UoS Important Milestones 1
• Learning agreement (3months f/t 6 months p/t)
– Clarify what you expect from and will do for your
supervisor
• Self Evaluation report MUST be completed by
student EVERY year
• Interim Assessment (15-18 months f/t 20-30 p/t)
– 4000 word report on progress so far,
future directions be ready to be closely questioned
about your work

16. UoS Important Milestones 2
• Internal evaluation (27-30 months f/t 44-50 p/t)
– No clear guidelines form R&G College.
– Suggest a complete first draft of thesis if possible
• Viva
– Significant paper work to be concluded at least 3
months BEFORE you can submit your work
– Defence of your thesis to external examiner(s)

17. Managing
the
supervision
process
together

18. Checklist for successful
supervision
• Find a supervisor or candidate who is
knowledgeable
• Expect to have or find one who understands the
nature of PhD work
• Have enough time for each other
• Consider some professional supervision (as well as
academic)
• Find someone with whom you can get on

19. Managing the process
• Negotiate a contract (don’t forget potential
publications)
• Use your time together appropriately
• Listen to each other
• Expect surprise and stimulation
• Reduce communication barriers
• Use tutorial time wisely
• Be aware of the important milestones

20. Don’t…..
• Lose contact with each other
• Agree to or set unrealistic deadlines
• Allow your self to get isolated
• Allow students to start other important
projects at the same time.
• Allow students to drift (too much)

21. To keep the supervisor happy
• Don’t expect to see them without written work
(that they have seen)
• Make proper appointments
• Bring an agenda
• Be prepared for constructive criticism
• Keep in touch
• Expect the supervisor to be prepared for the
meeting if you have been. If not, complain.

22. To keep the student happy
• Set clear goals
• Be prepared for supervisory meetings
• Answer your e-mails
• Be ready to provide or suggest suitable research
training
• Be available to attend PG seminars,
SPARC etc to support your student
• Be there at all of the important
milestone events

23. Getting through the bureaucracy
• We’re here to help
– Carol Haigh 0161 295 2878
– Graham Greene 0161 295 27016
• It’s supposed to enhance rigour
• It does make you think about timing, objectives,
methods etc
• DON’T collect data before agreeing agendas or
instrumentation with supervisors
• DON’T do fieldwork without local ethics approval
• DON’T do any data collection without University
ethics approval

24. Useful sources
• Haigh, C (2010) Planing and managing a research project. In
Gerrish, K Lacey, A (eds) The Research Process in Nursing.
Blackwell Publishing
• Phillips, EM Pugh, DS (2000) How to get a PhD. A
handbook for students and their supervisors Third Edition.
Open University Press
• Holloway, I Walker, J (2000) Getting a PhD in Health &
Social Care. Blackwell Science Ltd. Oxford
• University of Salford (2007) Code of Practice for the conduct
of post graduate research degree programmes
http://www.academic.salford.ac.uk/aqa/sections/35_cop_pg_re
search_degree_programmes.pdf
• Supervisor out of the box
http://www.pg.salford.ac.uk/contents