Exploration of supervisor and student experiences during master’s studies in a health science faculty
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
HESA
Abstract
Significant growth in postgraduate student numbers with seemingly little change in staff composition and supervision capacity have prompted the need for research into the experiences of supervisors in a diverse interdisciplinary health sciences department. This article contends that supervision strategies form an important facet of institutional knowledge sharing in an interdisciplinary context especially in developing the capacity of postgraduate students to apply competencies later within the macro society in a sustainable manner. The article addresses one of the research questions of a larger study: What are the experiences of supervisors during the supervisory process of master’s students in a Health Science Faculty? Supervisors were of the view that they were committed to their supervision duties. Their multiple roles meant that they had to be encouraging, understanding, empathetic, set boundaries, be supportive while they act as guides and mentors who are expected to provide timeous and continuing feedback. To provide a comprehensive appreciation of the study, the article also presents significant findings from the qualitative component pertaining to student-views of the supervision process. Recommendations relate to the workload of supervisors, faculty development and greater access to resources including funding that would generally influence postgraduate supervision.
Description
CITATION: Chikte, U.M.E. & Chabilall, J.A. 2016. Exploration of supervisor and student experiences during master’s studies in a health science faculty. South African Journal of Higher Education, 30(1): 57-79, doi: 10.20853/30-1-559.
The original publication is available at http://www.journals.ac.za
The original publication is available at http://www.journals.ac.za
Keywords
Graduate students -- Supervision of -- South Africa -- Cape Town, Stellenbosch University. Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Medicine -- Study and teaching (Graduate) -- South Africa -- Cape Town, Graduate students -- South Africa -- Cape Town
Citation
Chikte, U.M.E. & Chabilall, J.A. 2016. Exploration of supervisor and student experiences during master’s studies in a health science faculty. South African Journal of Higher Education, 30(1): 57-79, doi: 10.20853/30-1-559