Relations with Supervisor

Supervisors; others feel uncomfortable if they disagree with some criticism or advice given by a supervisor; many think their supervisor `too busy' to spend time working with them on a problem that has arisen in their research or writing. And some overseas expect their supervisors to guide them closely at every point research and to edit their thesis for them on all points of grammatical accuracy.

Another common source of problems stems from the nature of the relationship with your supervisor during the different stages of your research programme. The relationship is not static. It typically divides into three stages:

A at first your supervisor is likely to act as a director an instructor. He has all the experience, and you have very little. He is competent in research design, in the use of relevant , in techniques; he `knows the field'. And you are a beginner

B during the fieldwork or experimental stage, however, your re lations will change. Now you are becoming basically and may even surpass your supervisor in detailed knowledge your particular research area.

He may act as critical guide, but the relationship is nearer to being colleagues in . common endeavour than being master and Pupil. the beginning, your supervisor set a regular time for you to meet him so that he could check on your progress likely to take a less active role. You may meet in members of a research team; you may meet in seminars, but as colleagues.

C however, when you move on to the final stage thesis - your relationship is likely to change again his greater experience your supervisor will probably take up a dominant role. He becomes both a critical commentator on your actual writing and a disciplinary expert disusing the meaning and implications of your research.

A find difficulty in shifting back to a sub ordinate role, and elations with their supervisors can become strained at this stage specially as the period of writing up is often a time of particular tension and pressure. More will be said about his is section on writing a thesis.

For the moment, the main point to grasp is that your supervisor is an adviser. He advises from his vantage point of superior a and experience, but you are not compelled to follow his advice. His

Sometimes these difficulties

others feel uncomfortable

responsibilities in relation

capable of independent