This document provides guidance for research students on developing an effective relationship with their supervisor and responsibilities as a postgraduate student. It emphasizes that a research journey requires independence, self-motivation, and following agreed upon deadlines and advice from the supervisor. The supervisor's role is to provide academic guidance and ensure quality, but they have other responsibilities beyond any single student. Good communication, preparation, and understanding expectations are important for success.

1. Researcher and
Research Student
Enrichment Program
(R2SEP)
8 March 2021
By: Associate Professor Dr. Boon Cheong CHEW

2. A research journey is like driving on a long
winding road.
But, driving on this road is full of excitement.
Because research is a scientific approach + a
systematic process of discovery
Excitement awaits you around every bend!
Source: pinterest

3. When I started my PhD
“This is your PhD!”
“I hold you accountable to the completion dates agreed.”
“Tell me, you are here to Get your PhD or to Gain your PhD?”
How do you feel when you hear these?
I will explain them later.

4. Your supervisor’s role as
-an academic guide (subject-matter expert, research method expert)
-a research project advisor
-a quality assurer (which level as graduate requirement)
-provides motivation, support

5. Understand your supervisor
-he/she has other academic tasks (teaching, marking, evaluating,
research, publication, consultation, attend meetings, management,
periodical projects) apart from supervising you
-many students also want his/her attention
-it is your personal decision to continue postgraduate study. Your
personal agenda is the official job of your supervisor’s-which is
recorded and definitely will affect his/her performance if in any part of
your study, you fail to do it

6. Qualities make a good postgraduate student
-maturity
-attention to detail
-independent
-self-motivated
-punctuality (meeting deadlines)
-hardworking
-persistent
-well-organised
-critical thinker
-focus
-ethical
-reliable and trustworthy
-confident
-able to handle academic criticism
-being professional (draw a line
between your study and your
private life)
-understand cultural differences

7. Your role as a postgraduate student
-study all materials
-follow and apply your supervisor’s advice
-initiate contact, interaction and meetings
-abide the research proposal
-progress your work (time)
-keep a record of supervisory and research progress
-respect your supervisor

8. Remember, do not
-expect your supervisor as English teacher to check your grammar
-expect your supervisor to spoon-feed you
-rush ahead without your supervisor’s permission
-slow down your progress without a good reason
-ignore your supervisor
-hide from your supervisor
-keep quiet when you face problem

9. Equip yourself with these skills
-planning
-effective communication
-listening
-academic writing (thesis)
-articular ideas
-good command of the language
-analytical
-asking good questions
-finding information
-effective reading
-managing your data (electronic/printed)
-using software
-IT/Computing (always make backups)
-formatting
-referencing
-academic writing and publishing (journal)
-presentation (conference, talk)
-defending your work during viva
According to your
progress
Seek and participate
in training courses
to equip yourself

10. Have you ever initiated to
1. Read your supervisor’s published work to know the expertise of his/her?
The way he thinks and presents his/her idea?
2. Read the student’s thesis who was supervised by your supervisor
previously to know his/her expectation?
3. Communicate with the ex-students/current students supervised by your
supervisor to know more about him/her?
4. Do a proper self-evaluation/assessment to know your strengths and
weaknesses beforehand?
5. Go to a library and know how to find journals, reading materials?
6. Read the academic regulation handbook of the graduate schools to make
yourself clear on the Dos and Don'ts about postgraduate research?
7. Keep a research log-book?
8. Read a research method book?

11. When I started my PhD
“This is your PhD!”
not the supervisor’s.
because, if you cannot be bothered to work on making the objective
achieved, why should they?
This is my responsibility!

12. When I started my PhD
“I hold you accountable to the completion dates agreed”
Source: abc news

13. When I started my PhD
“Tell me, you are here to Get your PhD or to Gain your PhD?”
Source: steemit.com
Managing expectations
To understand one’s motivation to pursue
postgraduate studies

14. Recommend a book to you

15. Thank you.
Please google “BC Chew” to have a look at my academic work.