GRADUATE STUDIES: STUDENTS’ OBLIGATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

1. GRADUATE STUDIES: STUDENTS’ OBLIGATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS By Dr. Michael Wainaina Associate Dean, Graduate School

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

3. What is a Masters Degree?

4. 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

5. 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 and informing 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. FLOW OF IDEAS What Remedying the Deficiencies will do for Select Audiences Deficiencies in the Evidence Educational Issue Evidence for the Issue Topic • In this body of • evidence, what is • missing? • What do we • need to know • more about? • A Concern • A Problem • Something • that needs a • Solution: • Evidence from • the literature • Evidence from • practical • experiences • How will addressing • what we need to • know help: • researchers • educators • policy makers • individuals like • those in the study Subject Area Conceptualizing a Research Problem

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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!!!

17. Thank you