Supervision Expectations

Read each pair of statements below and then estimate your position on each. For example with statement 2 if you believe very strongly that it is the supervisor’s responsibility to select a good topic then circle ‘1’. If you think that it is definitely the candidate’s responsibility to select a topic then circle ‘5’. If you think that it is sometimes the case, or shared, or that responsibility might be shared in some other way, then choose a number that reflects the balance of responsibility you think most appropriate.

Remember that there is often no correct answer, but that your reasons for your answers are important and should be discussed.

START-UP (INITIAL 3-6 MONTHS)

Supervisors should have specific knowledge of the Candidate's chosen topic.	1_2_3_4_5	Candidates are expected to have specific knowledge of their chosen topic from the outset.
It is the Supervisor’s responsibility to select a research topic and convey it to the Candidate.	1_2_3_4_5	It is the Candidate's responsibility to select a research topic.
The Supervisor decides which theoretical framework or methodology is most appropriate.	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate should decide which theoretical framework or methodology is most appropriate.
It is the Supervisor’s responsibility to identify and convey the main risks and contingency plans.	1_2_3_4_5	Candidates are responsibility for identifying and understanding the main risks and contingency plans.
The Supervisor should develop an appropriate program and timetable of research and study for the Candidate.	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate should develop an appropriate programme and timetable of research and study for themselves.
The Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the Candidate is introduced to relevant services and facilities of the department and University.	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate is responsible for ensuring that they have located and accessed all relevant services and facilities for research.
The Supervisor is responsible for guiding the Candidate towards relevant technical resources available within the group (data, codes, etc.) and establishing research peer support networks.	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate is responsible for seeking from the Supervisor the relevant technical resources available within the group (data, codes, etc.) and establishing research peer support networks.
The Supervisor should provide guidelines and expectations of working hours and leave.	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate should seek out guidelines and expectations of working hours and leave.

MID-CANDIDATURE (6-30 MONTHS)

The Supervisor should insist on regular meetings with the Candidate.	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate should decide when they need to meet with the Supervisor.
The Supervisor should check regularly that the Candidate is working consistently and on task.	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate should work independently and ensure they're working consistently and on task.
It is down to the Supervisor to ensure that the Candidate’s thesis research is disseminated in journals and conferences.	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate is responsible for the dissemination of their research in journals and conferences.
The Supervisor is always the lead journal article author and decides authorship order as well as who can present the work at conferences.	1_2_3_4_5	Any journal article or conference paper from the Candidate's own thesis research, should dictate that they are therefore the sole author or presenter of conference papers.
The Supervisor is responsible for arranging ethical approval and/or Māori consultation to support the thesis. This includes adhering to the Institute's Mātauranga Māori research Policy and the Equity Policy.	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate is responsible for arranging ethical approval and/or Māori consultation to support the thesis. This includes adhering to the Institute's Mātauranga Māori research Policy and the Equity Policy.
Acquiring resources to support the thesis, such as scholarships, equipment or funding for conferences, is the responsibility of the Supervisor.	1_2_3_4_5	Acquiring resources to support the thesis, such as scholarships, equipment or funding for conferences, is the responsibility of the Candidate to seek out.
The Supervisor should seek to understand the student’s needs for skills development, and point the Candidate towards development opportunities (e.g. academic writing, presentation).	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate should convey their needs for skills development to the Supervisor, and identify desirable development opportunities (e.g. academic writing, presentation).
The Supervisor may expect that the Candidate to make small contributions to the MacDiarmid Institute’s research collaborations and strategic activities that are beyond the scope of the thesis.	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate should not expect to make any contributions to the Institute's research collaborations that are beyond the scope of their thesis.
It is the responsibility of the Supervisor to drive and manage commercial opportunities arising from research.	1_2_3_4_5	It is the Candidate’s responsibility to drive and manage commercial opportunities arising from research.
The Supervisor may expect that the Candidate contributes to outreach activities.	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate should not be expected to participate and contribute to outreach activities.
The Supervisor must approve Candidate's work time commitments outside of the PhD work (teaching, outreach, committees, etc.).	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate can manage their other commitments without requiring approval from the Supervisor.

FINAL STAGE (> 30 MONTHS)

The Supervisor should insist on seeing all drafts of work to ensure that the Candidate is on the right track.	1_2_3_4_5	Candidates should submit drafts of work only when they want constructive criticism from the supervisor.
The Supervisor is responsible for decisions regarding the standard of the thesis and when it is ready for submission.	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate is responsible for decisions concerning the standard of the thesis and when it is ready for submission.
The Supervisor should have total control in arranging the examination (e.g. selecting examiners).	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate should have a role in arranging the examination, within university guidelines.
The Supervisor should initiate discussions about the Candidate’s post-PhD career plans, and assist with sourcing opportunities like internships, research assistantships, etc.	1_2_3_4_5	The Candidate should initiate discussions about post-PhD career plans, and seek out opportunities like internships, research assistantships, etc.