issues in postgraduate education prof sazali hamzah director ios, uitm shah alam...
TRANSCRIPT
Postgraduate education
Transition from consumer of knowledge (BSc) TO creator of knowledge (MSc and PhD)
Challenges?
Current scenario regarding postgraduate education
Competition for postgraduate students
GlobalizationEffects of students fees/fundingPublication pressures“New Route” PhDGrowth of cross-discipline and
interdisciplinary workGrowth of part-time students
A Masters degree is frequently a student's first encounter with real research. Its primary function is training in research. It is a clearly circumscribed piece of work that the supervisor feels confident can be undertaken within, or close to, the minimum time period. The skills imparted, and which the candidate sharpens through the process, include posing a research question, undertaking a relevant literature review, engaging rigorously with research methods, drawing valid conclusions and communicating findings in a clear, logical and scholarly way. Importantly, the work does not have to contain original findings - it must simply demonstrate a mastery of the methods of research.
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy, on the other hand, demands that the candidate is able to conduct independent research on his/her own initiative. Through the thesis the candidate must be able to demonstrate in his/her thesis that he/she is at the academic forefront in the topic selected, that the work is original and that it advances knowledge.
Successful Outcomes of Postgraduate Education
Quality thesis within 2-3 years An academic journal article Oral presentation at international conference Meeting, arguing and impressing professional
researchers Stimulating experience for students and supervisors Benefit to MSc/PhD peers in ideas, research grants A good job at the end of the study
9 Dec 2010
supervisor
family
promotion
employer/sponsor
grant
financial support
infrastructure
head of departmentproject
student
supervisor
Good Synergy
A successful postgraduate education requires;
Factors influencing the completion of postgraduate researchLessing (2002) SAJHE, 16(2),
Problems in research design Collecting and processing the information Writing the report
Postgraduate research has an intellectual and psychological component◦Fademeyer (1994)
Internal conflicts (ever changing thoughts and feelings) and external conflicts (personal relationships, time, resource constraints) influence the process negatively
Factors effecting postgraduate completion
Student-supervisor relationship
Quality of supervisionFrequent supervision is
strongly correlated with sucessful completion
Students in scientific areas tend to be more likely to complete than arts and humanities
Students’ moods
Common Issues in PG Education Project Supervisor Co-supervisor Student Monitoring Thesis writing Publication Viva
◦ Appointment of external examiners◦ Appointment of internal examiners◦ Role of chairperson/supervisor during viva
Conflicts ◦ between supervisor and co-supervisor◦ between external and internal◦ between students and supervisors◦ between chairperson and external
Typical supervisor/student problems Can be categorized into different level and complexity Levels 1-3 – can be tackle by adapting a self-discipline approach
on the part of the student and through reasoned discussion and negotiation with the supervisor
Level 4: BIG PROBLEM (ethical and moral issues) resolved by a higher body of the university (postgrad committee, ethics committee, faculty)
Level 1:◦ Supervisor doesn’t like me◦ I don’t like my supervisor◦ Supervisor and I argue about everything◦ Supervisor thinks that i lack intelligence
Level 2:◦ Supervisor is arrogant◦ Supervisor doesn’t allow me to do the project my own way◦ Supervisor isn’t doing his/her job◦ Supervisor doesn’t contribute anything◦ Supervisor doesn’t know anything about the specifics of the
subject
Typical supervisor/student problems Level 3:
◦ Supervisor and I completely disagree with the plan for research
◦ Supervisor will not accept my findings – asks me to repeat experiments
Level 4 (Moral/Ethics):◦ Publications- who’s name should be first◦ Supervisor has presented my work as his own research◦ I have published my paper without my supervisor’s
name◦ Supervisor has made me publish the same paper in two
different journals with different titles◦ Supervisor asks me to falsify results◦ Supervisor is deliberately delaying my research so he
can use me as a publishing machine for his benefit◦ Supervisor insists on borrowing other research work
without providing due credit
Supervisor’s roleRedemeyer (1994) SAJ of Higher
Edu.8(2), 92◦ Two views of postgraduate supervisors
Treat student as independent researcher Student as dependent on the supervisor
Deist (1990) Theologia evangelica 23(3), 66◦ Rigid control◦ No control
Mouton (2001) How to succeed in yur MSc and PhD studies?◦ Guide, advise, ensure scientific quality and
provide emotional support
Characteristics of a ‘good supervisor”Approachable and friendlySupportive, positive attitudeOpen minded, prepared to
acknowledge errorOrganised and thorough; and Stimulating and conveys
enthusiasim for research (Cullen 1994. Establishing
effective PhD supervision)
Brown and Atkins (1986)-Studies in Higher Eucation, 11(1), 29-42
Director (determining topic and method, providing ideas)
Facilitator (providing access to resources or expertise)
Adviser (helping to resolve technical problems, suggesting alternatives)
Teacher (research techniques)Guide (suggesting timetable to writing up, giving
feedback on progress, identifying critical path)Critic (of design enquiry, of draft chapters, of
intepretations or data)Freedom giver (authorises student to make
decisions),
What you need to prove as postgraduate student?
“The thesis makes a distinct contribution to knowledge and evidence of originality”
Preparation for VIVA
Presentation Outline
MSc/PhD programsWhat is a viva?Role of examinersStyle of vivaWhat do examiners look for?Preparing for the viva
Some “horror stories” regarding viva
Nine hour viva: viva that dragged on and on; Examiners are deeply interested in the thesis?
Aggressive examiners; who want to break the candidate, refusing the student to score any points
Blank mind syndrome; candidate forgot everything he/she knew
Thats not what i meant: the examiner gets the wrong end of the stick, misinterprets what you said and decides you have made a serious error.
Objectives of this talkView viva as a performanceUnderstanding the principles
of vivaExploring ways for viva
preparationTo practise writing and
answering questions
MSc/PhD ProgramsInitial phase
◦Finalization of objectives and methods, planning of the process
◦Experimental Middle phase
◦Experimental ◦Data collection and analysis
Final phase◦Thesis writing
Initial phasePlanning of the program
◦Include objectives and methods and also level of ambition, distribution of responsibilities and definition of work style
◦Discuss expectations and commitments◦Clarify responsibility for the program and
contribution of the supervisor(s)
Middle phaseHeart of the program
◦Amount and quality of data collected and/or methods developed, experiments conducted
◦Time consuming, requires hard work and discipline
Final phaseClarify mutual expectationsAgree on a plan for finalizing the
MSc/PhD programFamiliar with the rules and regulations
set by IPSis
Issues in the final phaseWriting (time consuming, frustrating)Assessment committee Submission of THESISViva ……….
Semester 2
• Discuss potential research areas • Plan of study• Research Methodology course• Present preliminary research proposal at faculty• Research Progress Report
Semester 1
• Thesis writing and data analysis course• Defence of Research Proposal• Review plan of study• Research Progress Report
Year 1
Semester 3
• Refining Research Design• Instrumentation • Chapter write up• Research Progress Report
Semester 4
Year 2
• Data collection• Chapter write up• Research Progress Report
Semester 6
• Data analysis• Chapter write up• Research Progress ReportSemester 5
Year 3
• Full chapters write up• Recommend appointment of examiners• Comments on final draft• Thesis submission• VIVA
Preparing for the vivaSuccess always comes when preparation
meets opportunityBefore anything else, preparation is the
key to success
Alexander Graham Bell
What is a viva? Performance event
Viva voce (with living voice)Examination conducted by word of
mouth ; viva as a performance eventWhether you understand what you did;
Explain and defend your thesis, discussion of your topic
Why an oral examination?whether it is your own work; whether you understand what you did; whether it is worth getting your MSc/PhD
(i.e. is a contribution to knowledge). How do you prepare for any performance?
◦Preparation and practice◦Skills development and performance rehearsal
ExaminersOne/two external examiner(s)
◦Expert in a certain field◦From a different institution◦Nominated by Head of Dept/Supervisor or
sometimes recommended by the studentOne internal examiner
◦From the same institution
Role of examiners
External◦Ask majority of questions; technical, general,
anything relevant to themInternal
◦Also ask questions◦Liaise with candidate/IPSIS
Type of Examiners
AdversarialSome examiners will challenge your views, in order to hear your argument.
DetailedSome examiners inspect every word and phrase.
“On page ..., you say ... please explain.”
Friendly & InterestedExaminers will make you feel at ease. They will want you to explain your research.
Format of vivaDate of vivaExaminers pre-viva meetingCandidate is called into roomVariable in duration of vivaCandidate and supervisor will leave the
roomExaminers post-viva meetingCandidate informed of decision
Purpose of vivaCandidate should be able to explain,
expand and justify the thesisThe candidate should demonstrate that
◦The thesis is your own work - originality◦Knowledge of field of study◦Ability to analyse critically
What is originality?New information givenMaking a synthesis that has not been made
beforeUsing known material with a new
interpretationUsing different methodologiesAdding new knowledgeLook at different areasContinuation of a previous original studyProduce new evidence of an old issue
What do examiners look for?Clear statement of research problemDevelopment of research themeIs it your own workGood knowledge of relevant literatureUnderstanding the work you have doneBecoming independent researcher
What do examiners look for?cont.
Clear explanation of research workAnalysis of dataAbility to evaluate your own workRelevancy of conclusionsContribution to knowledge
General questions (typical)What made you want to do your
MSc/Phd?Summarize the main points of your
thesisWho are the key people in your field?What is original about your research?Would you do anything differently?
Examples of key questionsWhy did you choose this topic?Can you describe the different steps
involved in your researchWhat is new and different about your
research topic?• What should literature review answer?• Pros and cons of your methodology
Re-read your thesisFor each chapter
◦Read from start to finish◦Summarize key points◦Convert chapter into series of questions and
answers
Preparation (before viva)2 or 3 months before
◦Submit thesis◦Plan your preparation◦Research the external examiner
I month before◦Re-read thesis◦Keep notes of corrections◦Review current literature◦Have mock viva (with colleagues, supervisor
etc)
Preparation (cont.)1 week before
◦ Practice summaries◦ Decide what to wear◦ Know the venue of your viva◦ Stress management techniques
1 day before◦ Positive mental attitude◦ Focus on strength of thesis◦ Eat well and get plenty of sleep
CountdownOn the day of viva
◦Best wake up routine◦Eat a good breakfast, no sambal sotong etc◦Relax◦Get there early
During the viva Take time to answer questions Speak clearly and look at the examiners Ask to repeat or re-phrase questions Write down their questions Write notes for your answers If you really don’t know the answer – say so Talk about your thesis – refer to your work Smile, keep calm
Outcome of viva (typical example)
Awarded, no correctionsAwarded, minor corrections (1-3
months)Awarded, major corrections (6-12
months)Resubmit (more than 1 year)
◦Re-examined by same examinersNo award
After the vivaKnow exactly what corrections to make
and remember the deadlines etc.Define your writing tasksRelax and celebrate?
Do’s and Don’t’s During VivaDON’T Be dogmatic (arrogant )) Defensive Rude Long winded Try to please examiners by
contriving to include their work in the references
Demand certain examiners e.g for being the expert in your field
Be laid back and uninterested: think about your body language and dress sense
Be apologetic for what you have done
DO Be thoughtful and reflective Be honest Be direct, but not rude Be concise and specific (don’t
give one word answer) Carry out some homework
on the examiners and their work
Have some involvement in discussing and choosing the examiners
Be prepared, but not over-prepared (e.g trying to predict questions)
Be confident (but not over confident)
Final advice before vivaExpect to be nervousPractice your answersDont agree with everything
they say BUT dont be arrogant
Expect some correctionsUnderstand the important
datesGOOD LUCK
SUMMARYThe Viva ... an Opportunity
◦To discuss your workwith an expert
◦To improve your arguments and thesis
◦To consider where to publish
But remember: It is still an examination
Bits of wisdom from:How to Survive your Viva?, Rowena
Murray, How to Prepare for a PhD Viva Exam and
get a Doctorate?, Alistair McCullochSurviving the viva, Sara ShintonPreparing for the PhD Viva, Tamara
O’Connor
The Road Not TakenBy Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
It doesn't matter if a cat is black or
white, so long as it catches mice. Deng Xiaoping
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