Strategies Used for Effective Research Supervision in the Completion of Postgraduate Studies in Selected Universities of Uganda
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Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of the National Council for Higher Education
Abstract
Research supervision is key, yet it has been faulted for delayed completion
of postgraduate studies, particularly at Master’s degree and PhD levels in
Uganda. This study sought to establish the strategies for effective research
supervision, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown. The study was
guided by the phenomenological research design using a qualitative
approach. Structured questionnaire was administered to 105 supervisors,
while in-depth interviews were conducted with 3 deans/directors and 15
academic department heads. Field data was supplemented with a review
of relevant documents. Data were analysed using the thematic analysis technique. Findings revealed that the sampled universities used various
supervision strategies including online research supervision, corroborative
supervision, coordination, workshops to (re)tool supervisors and students;
and motivation and administrative follow-ups to track students’ and
supervisors’ progress to enhance students’ completion of postgraduate
research. The study recommends that universities design and incorporate
online research supervision policies and guidelines in graduate training
policies and ensure that they are operationalised. Furthermore, universities
should provide a robust virtual infrastructure to enable online supervision.
In addition to team supervision, continuous (re)tooling of students and
supervisors, establishment of research coordination offices and progress
tracks, the adoption of flipped supervision in which supervision approaches,
spaces, and student and supervisor roles are varied should be considered.
Universities could also consider developing courses on the pedagogy of
postgraduate supervision in which research coordinators, supervisors and
students receive training in the identified strategies and other strategies to
improve postgraduate completion rates. Areas for further study have also
been recommended.
Description
Keywords
Completion, COVID-19, Postgraduate, Research Supervision, Universities
Citation
Kurgat, S. J. (2023). Strategies Used for Effective Research Supervision in the Completion of Postgraduate Studies in Selected Universities of Uganda. Journal of the National Council for Higher Education Vol, 10(2), 1. https://doi.org/10.58653/nche.v10i2.01