Saturday, June 27, 2009

Supervision

Whose research is it? Yours. The basic idea will be something that the supervisor is an expert in (or you need another supervisor), but since you are making a new contribution to knowledge, at the end of the process you will be the world expert in your subject.
Your supervisor plays hugely important roles throughout the process though. At the start, they will help you with the relevant literature and established approaches. As the research progresses, they will help with methodology, with planning the research, and helping you phrase your research questions. Once you have parts of your thesis in draft, they will provide an invaluable critique of the flow of argument, and the construction of your thesis as a piece of rationally-argued writing. Your supervisor will also play a crucial role in selecting your external examiners, and being your supporter and eyes and ears during the viva.
Above all, throughout the process, they are following your journey, engaging in the discussions, playing the part of reader of your thesis and papers, reacting in the ways that your audience and your examiners might to the parts of your work that are new and surprising, so that you can fine-tune your arguments and make sure there are no loose ends.
The relationship between student and supervisor can sometimes be stormy - it is always a two way process, and a second supervisor can sometimes play a useful role in getting things back on track. It can and should be inspiring.

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