Supervision, Monitoring and Assessment:

1
Supervision, Monitoring and Assessment An
Introduction
Andrzej Krasniewski Conference of Rectors of
Academic Schools in Poland Faculty of
Electronics and Information Technology Warsaw
University of Technology
2
Starting Point
a set of ten basic principles V. The crucial
role of supervision and assessment In respect of
individual doctoral candidates, arrangements for
supervision and assessment should be based on a
transparent contractual framework of shared
responsibilities between doctoral candidates,
supervisors and the institution (and where
appropriate including other partners)
Salzburg Recommendations (2005)
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Starting Point
Supervision and managerial duties With regard
to their role as supervisors , senior
researchers should build up a constructive and
positive relationship with the early stage
researchers Supervision the proposed
supervisors are sufficiently expert in
supervising research, have the time, knowledge,
experience, expertise and commitment to be able
to offer the trainee appropriate support and
provide for the necessary progress and review
procedures, as well as the necessary feedback
mechanisms Complaints/appeals appropriate
procedures to deal with complaints/appeals of
researchers, including those concerning conflicts
between supervisor(s) and early-stage researchers.
European Charter for Researchers Code of
Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers
(2005)
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General View
national tradition
institutional culture
SUPERVISION MONITORING ASSESSMENT
disciplinary culture
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General View
unstructured doctoral education
structured doctoral education
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General View
SUPERVISION
role and responsibilities of a supervisor
MONITORING ASSESSMENT
conflict resolution
models of supervision
formal arrangements
selection of a supervisor
training of supervisors
qualification requirements for a supervisor
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Models of supervision
apprenticeship model
variety of arrangements in structured programmes
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Formal arrangements
doctoral candidate
supervisor
institution
Formal arrangements
determine rights and duties of each party

• implicit agreements
• regulations at the level of state
• regulations at the level of institution/programme
• explicit agreements - individual contracts

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Role and responsibilities of a supervisor

• identify training needs of the candidate
• ensure that appropriate training is provided
  (suggest coursework, )
• help to develop the plan of actions
• actively guide through the research
• provide critical review of research results and
  progress in research
• provide for (facilitate access to) equipment and
  resources
• provide the candidate with an opportunity to
  present his/her results to different audiences
  (seminars, conferences, publications)

10
Qualification requirements for a supervisor
defined at the level of state or institution
Formal requirements

• formal qualifications (PhD, hab., senior tenured
  position, )
• full-time position
• limit on no. of advisees

Other requirements

• expertise in the field of research
• current involvement in (international) research
  projects
• qualifications related specifically to supervisor
  duties

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Training and assessment of supervisors
Training of supervisors

• Should the training be mandatory? What in case of
  team supervision?
• What should be the scope and form of training?
• How to overcome the resistance of professors?

• training for new supervisors
• refreshing training for experienced supervisors

Assessment of supervisors

• How and by whom should supervisors be assessed?
• Should doctoral candidates be involved?
• What should be a consequence of a negative
  assessment?

• periodical review by the programme director/dean
  of graduate school,
• evaluation by doctoral candidates

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Monitoring and assessment of candidates
Documentation
Scope

• notes
• student logs
• web-based platforms
• progress reports by the supervisor

• work plan timelines
• research progress (outcomes)
• learning outcomes (incl. transferable skills)

Form

• critical review of periodical progress reports
  (submitted by the candidate)
• periodical review meetings
• milestone reviews (thesis proposal, )
• examinations (comprehensive, ...)

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SUMMARY AND GOALS
different national, institutional, and
disciplinary cultures
diversification of doctoral training
different ideas on supervision, monitoring and
assessment of doctoral candidates
no one-fits-all solution
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Selection/assignment of a supervisor
tutor/guide (guidance during the coursework
period)
little involvement of the candidate
assigned upon admission
assigned upon admission or after completion of
coursework
acceptance of the candidate necessary
research (thesis) supervisor
procedure for supervisor change