Postgraduate supervision: students’ and supervisors’ perceptions

The aim of this research was to compare the views of postgraduate students and supervisors on the supervisory process in the Faculty of Education at the University of South Africa. The research was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, survey research was employed by means of a questionnaire in order to determine the perceptions of students on diverse aspects of postgraduate research. During the second phase, supervisors’ perceptions of postgraduate supervision were ascertained by means of a qualitative inquiry using focus groups. The findings included a number of aspects which participants had found rewarding. Unmet needs of students related to the planning of the research, research methodology, contact with supervisors, feedback, response time and examination feedback. Supervisors desired the recruitment of higher potential students who would deliver better work.