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. 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 • A 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

4. 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. • 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

5. Responsibilities Cont’d • Produce and present a Thesis/project for examination and award of Degree • What is a Thesis/Project? A thesis/project 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

6. What does a thesis/Project do? • A master's thesis/Project 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.

7. When should you commence work on your Project? • The Project work is preceded by the proposal • Immediately you are registered you should engage in the process of conceptualising a research problem.

8. 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 Educational Research 2e: Creswell

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Thank you