Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning

NOTE: IT IS IMPORTANT TO READ THIS COVER PAGE AND TO INCLUDE A COPY WITH BOTH SUPERVISOR AND STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRES.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this project, Student Perceptions of Research Supervision (SPORS), is to facilitate discussion between supervisors and their students. In addition, CATL will use the results to develop a more general understanding of research supervision practice at UWA.

PARTICIPATION

Participation in the SPORS process is voluntary for both supervisors and students. It should be noted that UWA is committed to quality teaching and excellence in research and the SPORS initiative is consistent with both of these objectives. We are therefore very keen to attract widespread participation in this process. There is no inappropriate time to use this system - it is recommended for use early in a research candidature and then on an ongoing basis.

QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN

Due to the relatively small numbers of research students per supervisor and the resulting lack of anonymity, the questionnaires have been designed to facilitate a non-threatening dialogue between students and their supervisors. Students and supervisors are asked to indicate areas of IMPORTANCE or PRIORITY, rather than rate performance as in traditional evaluation surveys. This should then lead to a meaningful dialogue as students and supervisors compare supervision style preferences.

There are two questionnaires, one for research students and one for supervisors. The first page of questions are identical. The student questionnaire has an extra half page of items of traditional ratings relating to the department and University which may also be discussed.

SUPERVISORS

Depending on your supervision style, you can either fill in a separate questionnaire for each student supervised or use one completed questionnaire for all your supervised students.

STUDENTS

Please note you are also able to participate if you are a staff member, are co-supervised or report to two departments. If some of the items are not appropriate or you need to fill in two surveys (i.e. for each supervisor or department) please feel free to modify the system to suit your individual needs.

TREATMENT OF QUESTIONNAIRE INFORMATION

The completed questionnaires should be exchanged between supervisors and their students with a time set aside for discussion about the responses. It is suggested that discussion centre around areas of substantial rating differences i.e. for a rating difference of 3 & 4 discussion is not necessary, but a rating difference of 2 & 4 should be explored. It is possible that some research students and supervisors might appreciate the assistance from a third party to facilitate initial or subsequent discussions about the responses. If you wish to take up this option please contact the director of CATL on 6488 2603.

Please send a copy of the questionnaires to CATL (M401) to record. The records will be private and confidential for both supervisor and student.