Study skills
Study support
You will find that you work differently with your supervisor as you progress through your candidature. Initially, you can expect more help as you clarify the research project and plan your time. At this stage you may also need advice and instruction in order to develop new skills. As the project proceeds, the role of the supervisor will change as he or she assists in monitoring your progress and provides feedback on your experimental results or your writing. Towards the end of the project you will become an authority on the topic, and your supervisor will become more of a senior colleague.
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Your initial discussions with your supervisor will help you plan your time. Make sure that the goals and deadlines which you agree to are realistic, and organise your commitments so that you are able to meet them. If you experience difficulties, arrange to meet and discuss them with your supervisor. In this way problems can be overcome before they impact on your progress. Look at the tips on Time management in Principles and check the Planning resource in the Getting started section.
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Getting regular feedback from your supervisor will help you stay on track and maintain your motivation. Your supervisor will be providing feedback during your discussions and in response to written work and drafts you submit. In preparing for meetings with your supervisor, be clear about what guidance and feedback you’re seeking. For example, if you have encountered a particular issue or challenge, consider possible solutions that you want to discuss. Be sure that you submit your drafts on time, and hopefully the feedback you receive will be constructive and prompt.
You do need to consider the range of other commitments your supervisor will have, and be sure that you agree on time frames when major pieces of work will be submitted for comment. It’s unrealistic to expect that you will get immediate feedback if you haven’t given your supervisor the opportunity to set aside time for reviewing your work.
Be prepared to accept your supervisor as a constructive critic by responding positively to suggestions, and be willing to discuss issues raised. It could be helpful to discuss the kinds of feedback that you find most useful. For example, if you want advice on one aspect of your topic or your research design, highlight this by including specific questions. If you include a cover sheet explaining the stage of work being submitted, this will also help avoid misunderstandings.
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Supervision is a two way process, as both parties have to want the relationship to succeed. Making the relationship work will be important for your progress, and generally supervisors want to facilitate your progress and success. This relationship will be more effective if you recognise and attempt to resolve any differences as they arise, rather than allowing them to become major problems. So, what can you do and who can help if you have a problem?
Be clear and straightforward in your approach to perceived problems, and consider possible solutions. You could seek advice from the Executive Officer HDR in Research Services, the Faculty HDR coordinator, the HDR Language and Learning Adviser, Divison of Student Life, or your Head of School. The HDR contacts page on the Higher Degrees by Research site provides a list of possible contacts within the University should you experience ‘problems’ with supervision.
If you feel you are having difficulty relating to or interacting with your supervisor, talking through the issues with someone you trust can help you see things more objectively, and also help generate solutions. This could be a family member, another student, the Language and Learning Adviser, or a Counsellor in the Division of Student Life. This discussion could also assist you in deciding how you might approach your supervisor about your concerns. In general, adopt an assertive but tactful approach in broaching any issues with your supervisor.
If the supervision arrangements continue to be unsatisfactory you may want to discuss changing supervisors. Students do need to request a change of supervisor in certain circumstances, and this is not uncommon. However, this must be arranged through Research Services. A formal request for a change of supervisor is made to the Higher Degree by Research Committee through the HDR Executive Officer. Check the Research Services website for the appropriate forms for requesting a change of supervisor.
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Becker, L 2004, How to manage your postgraduate course, Palgrave Macmillan, New York, (Chapter 5).
Elphingstone, L & Schweitzer, R 1998, How to get a research degree, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards, NSW, (Chapters 2 and 3).
Holly, M 1997, Keeping a professional journal, Deakin University Press, Geelong, Vic.
Deakin
www.deakin.edu.au
DUSA (Deakin
University Student Association)
www.dusa.org.au/
Research Services
www.deakin.edu.au/research/admin/
Student Life
www.deakin.edu.au/studentlife/
