Supervisory Practice: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Timely completion of doctoral and masters dissertation has assumed increased importance in Australia since the Federal Government introduced in 2003 a system of financial grants to Universities which, among others, emphasised timely completion of research by higher degree students. One of the Australian Universities responded to this need by introducing learning plans for all commencing research students. The purpose of these learning plans was not only to improve supervisory practices but also to identify the knowledge and skill gaps among research students at an early stage. The purpose of this paper is to document the experience of two supervisors and two students in the first year of the introduction of learning plans. On the basis of this information, it may be possible to draw lessons for supervisory practices as well as offer recommendations for improvements in learning plans. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0502266