PhD students' experiences of thesis supervision in Malaysia: managing relationships in the midst of institutional change

• Main Authors: Krauss, Steven Eric, Ismail, Ismi Arif
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nova Southeastern University 2010
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/40414/1/40414.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/40414/; http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR15-4/index.html

Despite the plethora of studies that have been conducted on PhD supervision, little qualitative investigation has been conducted with a diverse, non-Western sample of doctoral students in an attempt to understand how the supervisory relationship is experienced. In response, eighteen students from diverse, non-Western backgrounds studying at one Malaysian research university were interviewed. Results illuminated the theme of "management" of the supervisory experience and included two streams:(a) acceptance of the situation, and (b) response to the situation so as to optimize their experience. The two major themes further included four sub-themes that included managing personal relations, time and accessibility constraints, academic compatibility, and expectations. Implications for the development of international research universities where PhD supervision of a diverse student body is a critical factor for university success and development are discussed.