Why have a supervisor?

"A good supervisor is a guide and mentor, not an encyclopedia or a self-help book."

(Rolando Serra Toledo)

It is possible to complete a PhD or Master's degree without having a supervisor!

In fact, some students complete their degrees without any input from their supervisor and some students complete their degrees despite their supervisors!

It has, however, been shown that an effective supervision process can make a big difference in the quality of the degree and the time that is taken to complete the degree.

The supervision process is a relationship and it requires both parties to be involved and engaged to make it work. The supervisor will typically have lots of experience in doing research and in postgraduate supervision. The student should make use of this experience by making the supervision process as productive for them as possible.

I would consider it my role as a supervisor of a Master's or PhD student to

• recommend publications and provide or suggest some sources for literature studies,
• advise the student on techniques for sourcing publications and recommend them to use the SoC postgrad portal, as well as referring them to the CSET subject librarian,
• guide the student in selecting a suitable research topic which will satisfy the requirement of their work making a significant contribution to knowledge in the area of study,
• guide the student in selecting an appropriate research design and methodology, referring them to literature on research design and showing examples of other studies, where appropriate,
• advise the student in terms of performing the research -- i.e. collecting and analysing the data, and
• advise the student on the writing up of the final document.

Based on my experience as a supervisor, I would consider the role of the student to be to

• read,
• think,
• engage with the research,
• do the work that you are required to do,
• talk to your supervisor,
• listen to your supervisor,
• do what your supervisor asks/tells you to do, and
• don't waste your supervisor's (or your own) time.

I cannot be a good supervisor unless the student plays their part!