‘Am I doing it right?’: Conceptualising the practice of supervising master’s dissertation students

MacFadyen, Ann, English, Christine, Kelleher, Michael, Coates, Maggie, Cameron, Colin and Gibson, Vanessa (2019) ‘Am I doing it right?’: Conceptualising the practice of supervising master’s dissertation students. Higher Education Research and Development, 38 (5). pp. 985-1000. ISSN 0729-4360

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2019.1597024

Abstract

An action research project involving 25 master’s supervisors, from health and education disciplines, sought to enhance their understanding of dissertation supervision. Recognising that they were sometimes slightly unsure about their role, they sought to identify issues that contributed to this circumstance, and to develop supervisor preparation materials to support future colleagues. During interviews and collaborative workshops, colleagues shared their experiences and reflected with one another on the nature of supervision. Through this process they constructed a model that conceptualises how they practice. The core element is an ongoing assessment of a student’s readiness, motivation and individual situation. In response to this assessment, supervisors balance three functions: Facilitating, Nurturing and Maintaining Standards. Facilitating encourages student growth through challenge or stimulation. Nurturing involves the provision of support and reassurance within a safe space in which this growth can occur. Maintaining standards ensures that academic and professional rigor are preserved.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Supervisor, Supervision, Master’s, Action Research, Postgraduate
Subjects: X300 Academic studies in Education
Department: Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Architecture and Built Environment
Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Nursing, Midwifery and Health
Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing
Depositing User: Paul Burns
Date Deposited: 21 Dec 2018 11:23
Last Modified: 28 Sep 2020 03:30
URI: http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/37417

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