Designing a Supervision Training Program with Research Supervisor's Voices

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to design a series of workshop events for new or novice supervisors of higher degree by research candidates using input from the novice supervisors, experienced supervisors and a panel of experts. A mixed methodology was adopted where the novice and experienced supervisors completed a Likert-style questionnaire and participated in semi-structured focus groups and interviews. Data from experts was collected from a hosted panel. The novice supervisors were most concerned about managing the supervision process and dealing with candidate issues, giving feedback, working with different methodologies they may not be familiar with, and supervising in areas outside their field of expertise. The experienced supervisors added that the workshops should include advice about relationships and the wellbeing of candidates. The outcomes of the study were pragmatic because they fed into the content of the workshops, thereby training novice supervisors with aspects of supervision they felt they needed, along with aspects recommended by experienced supervisors. This study suggests that, when institutions are designing training events for higher degree by research supervisors, key stakeholders, including the potential learners (novice supervisors), should be systematically consulted. This form of teaching in a Christian institution includes all the basics of recognised good supervision but adds the elements of Christian care and support.