GRADUATE STUDIES: STUDENTS’ OBLIGATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

By

Dr. Michael Wainaina

Associate Dean,

Graduate School

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Coordinates the Research Part of your Course. The coursework part should be fully taken care of by the Department and your School

What is a Masters Degree?

Graduate Student Responsibilities

When you register as a graduate student you are making a commitment to devote the time and energy needed to engage in research and write a dissertation. Completion of the Degree programme is your obligation

The University through the appointed supervisor has a right to expect substantial effort, initiative, respect and receptiveness to suggestions and criticisms.

You must accept the rules, procedures and standards in place in the program and at the university and should check the University Calendar for regulations regarding academic and non-academic matters…Gathering information on procedures and policies is your obligation

Responsibilities Cont’d

Be thoughtful and reasonably frugal in using resources provided by the supervisor and the University, and assist in obtaining additional resources for their research or for other group members where applicable.

Conform to University, Department and Graduate School program requirements, including those related to deadlines, dissertation or thesis style, conflict of interest.

Adhere to the Individual Course Schedule for the completion of the programme

Keeping supervisors informed on how you can be contacted andinforming them of any significant changes that may affect the progress of the research.

When your degree program requirements have been met, terminate your work and surrender all materials, equipment and resources that belong to the Supervisor or the University

Responsibilities Cont’d

Produce and present a Thesis for examination and award of Degree

What is a Thesis?

A thesis is a substantial piece of scholarly writing that reflects the your ability to:

–conduct research–communicate the research–critically analyze the literature–present a detailed methodology and accurate results–verify knowledge claims and sources meticulously–Link the topic of the thesis with the broader field

What does a thesis do?

A master's thesis must demonstrate that the student knows the background and principal works of the research area, and can produce significant scholarly work. It should contain some original contribution.

A PhD Thesis must produce substantial original contribution to knowledge & research in the discipline

When should you commence work on your Thesis?

The Thesis work is preceded by the proposal Immediately you are registered you should

engage in the process of conceptualising a research problem.

Conceptualizing a Research Problem

Topic

Evidence for the Issue

Deficiencies in the Evidence

What Remedyingthe Deficiencies will do for SelectAudiences

FLOW OF IDEAS

SubjectArea

EducationalIssue

•A Concern•A Problem•Something that needs aSolution:

•Evidence fromthe literature•Evidence frompracticalexperiences

•In this body ofevidence, what ismissing? •What do we need to knowmore about?

How will addressingwhat we need toknow help:– researchers– educators– policy makers– individuals like those in the study

Concept Paper

You will be expected to present a concept paper on your selected topic/problem

A concept paper is a document that enables the department to identify your area of interest and allocate you advisors/supervisors to guide you.

Avoid a situation where you are talking to anyone and everyone about everything

Role of the Supervisor

An important part of the role of the supervisor is to guide the transformation of the student from a consumer of knowledge to a creator of knowledge

How does the University Allocate Supervisors

Several factors influence the decision:– The main one is area of specialization– Availability of Supervisors in your area of specialization

in relation to their workload– Need to guide the student in both matters of Content

and Methodology– It is the responsibility of the University to allocate you

supervisors– It is your responsibility to work with the Supervisors

allocated

Establishing a Student Supervisor working relationship

For effective supervision, have an initial meeting with your supervisor and discuss and clarify expectations on the following:

The extent and nature of direction from the supervisor The degree of independence of the student Written work – frequency of submission, drafts, progress

reports The role of the supervisor in editing work The manner in which ideological or opinion differences will

be handled

Issues Cont’d

Frequency of contact. Preferred communication method (e.g., e-mail, voice mail, in

person). Timelines for each stage of the work. Frequency and manner of submission of work (in writing or

through presentation). Type of feedback expected. Whether students work in the department or at home/library. Hours of work. Nature of any directed reading program. Responsibility for sourcing literature and materials for the

reading program

Other Key Stakeholders

Beyond the Supervisor, you will need to work closely with:

Your colleagues. Departmental Post-Graduate Studies Board/

Know the Chairman School Post-Graduate Studies Board/Know

the Chairman Graduate School

Resources

The responsibility to gather information is your own We have designed an online PUCU 500 Research

Methods Unit to equip you with basic skills of conducting Research

Modest ICT resources are provided by the University, but there is no serious researcher who relies on an institutional computer to conduct research

The University Library has a vast resource of online reading materials

Buy Books!!!

Thank you