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Relations With Supervisor
2 Selection of the research topic
The problems associated with selecting and developing a research topic affect all students. There is nearly always a period of uncomfortable uncertainty while the student and supervisor together clarify and negotiate a viable project. Overseas students may, in addition, be hampered by differences in their background training and by directions from their home government or university.
They may he required to do research on a specific topic which will be of value to their country's administration or national research programme. In some cases, too, the data relevant for a particular project may be inadequate or unavailable. Listen to a supervisor in Applied Sciences explain the different constraints on Australian and foreign students starting on a research programme:
The Australian student seeking entry to a research programme has usually undertaken a 4-year degree within the discipline of proposed research, and hopefully, at least is in a position of familiarity with the state of the art in his discipline, the research organizations and individuals of reputation in the field, and the means whereby consultation and advice on research options may be found.
In contrast, the choice of a research topic and association research supervisor can be the first major academic problem that requires solution for the overseas student.
It is rare, in my experience, that an overseas student defined research programme in mind, despite the confident outlines that can be found in many files or nomination paper : student who would not be perfectly happy to join an search team in efforts directed to the problems of.
Al so long as this would lead to the PhD degree in the mind understandable response in view of the status this a return home. The more difficult programme that satisfied Australian academic requirements same time has a high relevance to the development problems of the home country, is one of the first obstacles to be overcome.
On the surface it might appear that some overseas an advantage over Australian research students. Many asian students will have had an opportunity to participate in research even before undertaking postgraduate studies experience may not always be as useful as it seem, research is often very different, and the students trainee is usually given a very limited assignment within the program experienced in developing Asian research programmes has commented on this situation: Supervisor themselves recognize
affect all students
stage of conceptualization |
