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HOW TO BE AN HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE EFFECTIVE

SUPERVISORSUPERVISORPROJECT AND COURSEWORK SUPERVISION PROJECT AND COURSEWORK SUPERVISION

(UNDERGRADUATE)(UNDERGRADUATE)

05 APRIL 201005 APRIL 20108.30AM – 4.30PM8.30AM – 4.30PM

Seminar Room 1 ILQAMSeminar Room 1 ILQAM

Presenter: Assoc Prof Norha Abu HanifahPresenter: Assoc Prof Norha Abu Hanifah

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SUPERVISOR SUPERVISEE SUPERVISOR SUPERVISEE RELATIONSHIP:RELATIONSHIP:

- RESPONSIBILITIES- RESPONSIBILITIES- ETHICAL ISSUES- ETHICAL ISSUES

-LEGAL IMPLICATIONS-LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

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ContentContent• Introduction• What is a project paper?• Who is a supervisor?• Who select the supervisor?• What is the role of a supervisor?• What are the responsibilities of a supervisor –

LEGAL & ETHICAL?• What is Plagiarism?• Qualities of a supervisor• Conclusion• References• Exercise

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IntroductionIntroduction

Understanding the role of a supervisor is important for lecturers. This will enhance the success of the coursework/project paper i.e. supervision of students research project.

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What is a project paper?What is a project paper?

A paper that is produced for a specific purpose after a scientific research has been done

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What is a research?What is a research?

• General meaning – research is about ‘finding out’

• 2 kinds of research – personal research and professional research

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Cont’dCont’d• Personal research – the subject, method

and information is for the understanding and benefit of the individual.

• Professional research – a systematic inquiry, method and outcomes is accessible to others. Need to conform to accepted standards. (also known as a scientific research)

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What is scientific research?What is scientific research?• Science as a method of knowing

- Information obtained is done using proper methods understood and practised by other researchers, the outcomes is accessible to the public and can be argued and defended by the researcher.

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Why do students need to do Why do students need to do a project paper?a project paper?

“Kita wajib mengkaji semula kurikulum kebangsaan yang boleh menghasilkan insan celik minda, inquisitive, ingin bertanya, gemar menyelidik, menguasai lebih dari satu bahasa.”

- Abdullah Badawi(PM Malaysia/Nov 2006)

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Who is a supervisor?Who is a supervisor?• A research supervisor (or simply

referred to as "supervisor") is responsible for the general oversight of an academic research project.

• A supervisor is appointed by the faculty to supervise students for a specific research project.

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Who selects the supervisor? Who selects the supervisor?

• Students can suggest supervisors• Lecturers can suggest areas of

interest

HOWEVER

The faculty has the final say.

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What is the role of a What is the role of a supervisor? supervisor?

The role of a supervisor in a research project is to assist, motivate, guide and advise students in the design, development and completion of a research paper within the stipulated time given.

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3 ways that supervisors 3 ways that supervisors learn to superviselearn to supervise

• By being a postgraduate student themselves

• Through their own academic practice and discipline

• Through trial and error

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What are the responsibilities What are the responsibilities of a supervisor – legal and of a supervisor – legal and

ethical?ethical?

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Legal implication:Legal implication:• Contractual duties of an employee• As agent of an institution of higher

learning• Subject to government policies• Under oath as lecturer/student

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What is ethics?What is ethics?

• Ethics consists of the morally permissible standards of conduct that each member of a group wants every other member to adhere to..

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Ethical implication:Ethical implication:• Code of ethics as an academician

- “Nilai dan Etika Pensyarah Universiti Teknologi MARA” (2007)

• Code of ethics of relevant professional bodies- eg. Lawyers, doctors, engineers, accountants…etc

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An outline of the An outline of the responsibilities expected of responsibilities expected of a supervisor are as follows:a supervisor are as follows:

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1.1.

To ensure that the supervisee understand and adhere to the rules and regulations of the faculty and university

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Rules and regulations:Rules and regulations:Faculty level

- faculty handbook- programme syllabus- guidelines for supervision

University level- Code of Ethics- Academic Guidelines- UiTM Act 173 and Act 605

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Cont’dCont’dNational level

- Federal Constitution- Copyright Act 1987- Sedition Act 1948- Official Secrets Act 1972- Defamation Act 1957- Printing Presses and Publication Act 1948- Universities and University Colleges Act 1971

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2.2.

To establish at the beginning of the research program the requirements on the frequency and format of meetings and progress reports

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Work schedule:Work schedule:

• Supervisor need to inform the supervisee on the expectation of the supervision – the do’s and don’ts

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Good working relationship:Good working relationship:

• Supervisor should be in regular/close contact with supervisee

• How regular is regular?- frequency of meetings

• How close is close?- respect for others

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Relationship of supervisionRelationship of supervision• Respect confidentiality• Provide guidelines for supervision• Promote collaborative practise• Refrain from indiscriminate gossip

(about students/colleagues)• Discuss student concerns in private

with relevant persons only in academic or formal settings

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Cont’dCont’d• Respect the training, competency,

professional integrity of colleagues – any reference to quality of service rendered by or the integrity of a professional colleague must be expressed with due care to protect the reputation of that person

• Students are expected to provide reasonable assistance to each other and be accountable to supervisor, colleagues/team

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Cont’dCont’d

• A student may not exploit another student

• Unnecessary borrowing, lending and trading between supervisor/supervisee is prohibited

• No abuse/exploitation of staff/students for irrelevant tasks

• Not to have a love affair-any intimate, sexual relationship/activity

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Cont’dCont’d

• No physical or mental harm – hitting, restraining, kicking, throwing or swearing

• Refrain from personal/private after hours meetings – dining/drinking together

• No acceptance of elaborate/expensive gifts

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Cont’dCont’d• Avoid any criminal, dishonest

behaviour• Empowerment of people, education• Respect the supervisees – their

knowledge and experience• Assure professional competency• Protect rights and safety• Be transparent where necessary

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Cont’dCont’d

• Respect for cultural and religious beliefs

• Make morally appropriate decisions• Enhance physical and social

environment• Lessen social inequalities

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3.3.

To assist the supervisee in the planning and implementation of the research program

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Collecting Collecting information/materials:information/materials:

• Supervisor should help in arranging appointments for interviews, fieldwork, attachment and visits

• Supervisor should assist in getting necessary books, equipments, utensils or apparatus

• Supervisor should suggest on any courses, training, workshops and seminars

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4.4.

To monitor the supervisee’s progress in reviewing the necessary literature and remind supervisee on the important issue of plagiarism

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5.5.

To determine the reasons for the supervisee’s unsatisfactory progress if any

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Work progress :Work progress :• Monitor the progress of supervisee

- encourage written submission of project aims, methods and outlines of final paper

- discuss face to face (if possible) on problems in implementing the project

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6.6.

To make sure the project/paper prepared adheres to the format given by the faculty

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Faculty’s requirements:Faculty’s requirements:• Are all the requirements of the

project in line with the faculty’s format

- supervision forms- supervision records- supervision schedule

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7.7.

To read and review drafts prepared by supervisee and provide constructive feedbacks as soon as possible

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Feedbacks on submission:Feedbacks on submission:

• Supervisor should return corrected drafts promptly (not more than 2 weeks)

• Give clear instructions and comments where necessary

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Cont’dCont’d• Supervisor should stimulate thinking

and deep understanding, not spoon –feeding

• Encourage students to be inquiring, to critically appraise problems, evaluate and offer creative solution

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Bloom’s taxonomyBloom’s taxonomy

• Evaluate• Synthesis• Analysis• Application• Comprehension• Knowledge

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8.8.

To certify that the final research paper/product has been successfully completed and it fulfills all the requirements

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Final Submission:Final Submission:

• Supervisor must check that all requirements are correctly followed

- e.g. a written submission must have certain word limit and proper citation

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Research report contentResearch report content

• What was the problem/issue?• What did you do?• What did you find out?• What is the conclusion?• What is the recommendation?

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9.9.

To decide fairly on the evaluation marks for the supervisee

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Project evaluation:Project evaluation:• Supervisor must be fair and just in

giving the evaluation marks• Supervisor must have a sound

judgment

- e.g. marks given are due to the work done intellectually and not based on emotional reason

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Assessment PrinciplesAssessment Principles

• Appropriateness• Validity• Reliability• Equality• justice

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Cont’dCont’d• Evaluation – a process of gathering

useful information for the purpose of decision-making

• Assessment – a systematic approach of a measuring tool to observe an individual sample behaviour and exemplify it in a quantitative form by using a numbering system

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10.10.

To submit the research project and all forms of assessment to the faculty

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Ending the responsibility:Ending the responsibility:

• Supervisor must be satisfied that through out the supervision full commitment has been given and in all dealings had conducted it ethically, honestly and with integrity.

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What is plagiarism?What is plagiarism?

• It generally means using the work of another without acknowledgement

• It can relate to an entire work • or a part of it • and applies equally to all forms of

work

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Examples of work:Examples of work:• All forms of writings• Computer codes• Performance• Music• Work of arts

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Plagiarism may be committed Plagiarism may be committed in a number of ways:in a number of ways:

• Copying from other students without authority.

• Copying from other students without attribution.

• Copying from published sources (e.g. written, internet, spoken, art, performance media) without attribution.

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Cont’dCont’d• Copying from unpublished sources

(e.g. lectures, theses, university essay banks) without attribution.

• Submitting previously submitted or assessed work of your own without attribution.

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Cont’dCont’d• Failing to reference the sources of

facts. These may take the form of text, graphs, charts or statistics that have not been generated by your own research.

• Failing to provide references for using the exact words or phrases of others.

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Cont’dCont’d• Failing to provide references when

paraphrasing the words of others.• Failing to provide references when

expressing ideas presented by others.

• Submitting work solicited from others.

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Cont’dCont’d• Always be aware of the referencing

style recommended by the university.

• The most obvious form of plagiarism is to repeat the words, phrases or sentences of another person, more or less verbatim.

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Qualities of a supervisor:Qualities of a supervisor:

• Listening• Clarifying• Encouraging• Reflecting• Presenting

• Problem solving• Negotiating• Directing• Standardizing• Reinforcing

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Listening:Listening:

• supervisor sits and looks at the supervisee and nods…to show understanding

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Clarifying:Clarifying:• supervisor asks questions and

statements to clarify the supervisee point of view…. “Do you mean that?”, “Would you explain it further?”, “I’m confused about this…”

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Encouraging:Encouraging:• Supervisor provides

acknowledgement responses to help supervisee continue to explain his /her positions “yes, I’m following you”, Ok…continue/go on…”, “I see what you mean, tell me more”

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Reflecting:Reflecting:• Supervisor summarizes and

paraphrases supervisee’s message for verification of accuracy “I understand that you mean…”, “So, the issue is…”, “I hear you saying…”

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Presenting:Presenting:• Supervisor gives own ideas about the

issues discussed… “This is how I see it”, “What can be done is…”, “I’d like us to consider..”, I believe that…”

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Problem solving:Problem solving:• Supervisor takes the initiative,

usually after a preliminary discussion of the issue or problem, in pressing all those involved to generate a list of possible solutions. “Let’s stop and each write down what can be done”, “What ideas do we have to solve this problem?” “Let’s think of all possible actions we can take…”

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Negotiating:Negotiating:• Supervisor moves the discussion from

possible to probable solutions by discussing the consequences of each proposed action, exploring conflict or priorities and narrowing down choices with questions… “Where do we agree?”, “How can we change that action to be acceptable by all…”, “Can we find a compromise that will give each of us part of what we want?”

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Directing:Directing:• i. Supervisor tells supervisee either what

the choices are – “As I see it, these are the alternatives: You could do A…, B…., or C…”, “Which of these makes sense to you…and which would you use?”

• ii. Supervisor tells supervisee what is to be done – “ I have decided that we will do…”, “I want you to do…”, The policy will be…”, “This is how it is going to be done”, “We will proceed as follows…”

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Standardizing:Standardizing:• Supervisor sets the expected criteria and

time for the decision to be implemented. Target objectives are set. Expectations are conveyed with words like “By next Monday, we want to see…”, “Report back to me on this change by…”, “Have the first two activities carried out by….”, “I want an improvement of 20% involvement by the next meeting”, “We have agreed that all tasks will be done before the next observation.”

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ConclusionConclusion

It is important for the supervisor and supervisee/s to clarify their supervisory arrangements to avoid misunderstandings.

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TERIMA KASIHTERIMA KASIH

Thank you for your kind attention

Assoc Prof Norha Abu HanifahDeputy Dean (Research & Industrial Linkages)

Faculty of Law, UiTM, Shah AlamAPRIL 2010

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ReferencesReferences• Teaching, Learning and Assessment – (Mohd Mustafa

Mohd Ghazali, 2009) • Modul kursus Asas Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran

Pensyarah Baru IPTA (UiTM, 2008)• Student supervision – How and Where Does Ethics

Come Into It? (Dain Van Der Reyden, 2008)• The Role of a Supervisor-Paper 1 (Norha Abu Hanifah,

2008)• Law & Ethical Issues in Research and Writing “You

quote, You Note” (Musrifah Sapardi, 2007)• Institute of Graduate Studies, UiTM (Guidelines for

thesis, 2006) • Plagiarism and Its Consequences (Norha Abu Hanifah,

2006)• Research Methods for the Social Sciences Made Simple

– (Sulaiman Shamsuri, 2004)• Code of UMIST 1998 ( research guide)

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EXERCISE FOR EXERCISE FOR PARTICIPANTS:PARTICIPANTS:

• Participants will be divided into two groups• Each group will have a different task

• Group ONE will try to list down the criteria of an effective supervisor

• Group TWO will try to list down the criteria of an effective supervisee

• Participants are given 20 minutes to do this task

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Cont’dCont’d• List of Criteria for an Effective

Supervisee:

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Cont’dCont’d• List of Criteria for an Effective

Supervisor:

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CASE STUDYCASE STUDY

• This group exercise will be given during the course

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Case study evaluationCase study evaluation

Case study: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Marks for advise given:(full marks is 10)

Best supervisor award: