Responsibilities of Supervisors

Supervisors' are encouraged to read the documents listed below and attend all Training programs advertised by the Research & Graduate Studies Office.

1. To view information on maintaining and monitoring academic quality and standards in higher degrees, open the AVCC Code of Practice document. (Last edition - July 1998)
2. To view information relating to good practice for Research open the University Code of Good Practice for the Conduct of Research document. (Approved Research Committee - 2007)
3. Original Document: AVCC - Universities and their Students: Principles for the Provision of Education by Australian Universities - December 2002
   Extract: From Section B: Extract adopted by the RHDC 7/03: 29 October 2003
   For UB nomenclature- *Replace academic unit(s) with Schools
4. To view information relating to the NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice open the NHMRC/AVCC Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research document. - Year of Publication - 2007(Revision of the Joint NHMRC/AVCC) Statment and Guidelines of Research Practice).
5. It is expected that the Principal Supervisor and student will complete the Student - Principal Supervisor Agreement on Candidature Arrangements and append a copy to the student’s first Progress Report. Some parts of the Agreement may change over the course of candidature. Any changes will be agreed to by the student and the Principal Supervisor.

On Line Training. Review the online research training program 'For Improving Research Supervision and Training' (fIRST).

Supervisors have responsibilities to higher degree by research students during their candidature which include:

1. providing appropriate academic support throughout the candidature to enable the candidate to achieve the highest standard of research of which s/he is capable;
2. suggesting ways that the candidate can make the most effective use of time. This should involve discussing the nature of research with the student and the standard expected for particular degrees, the choice of the research topic, the planning of the research program, and the availability of library resources in the field andvbibliographical and technical assistance;
3. maintaining close and regular contact with the student and establishing at the beginning the basis on which contact will be made. This will facilitate the supervisor's role in advising the student on the pace of progress, and ensuring that a reasonable timetable is set to permit the degree to be completed in the appropriate time;
4. requiring work from the student on a pre-arranged and agreed schedule so that their progress can be assessed at regular intervals;
5. monitoring carefully the performance of the student relative to the standard required for the degree, and ensuring that inadequate progress or work below the standard generally expected is brought to the student's attention. The supervisor
   should help with developing solutions to problems as they are identified;
6. using the regular reporting procedures established by the university as the minimum means by which any difficulties and problems discussed with the student during the year are noted along with the action taken or advice given. If the problem is not resolved, the Head of the academic unit, in the first instance should
   be involved; and the Head and the relevant university committee should be notified in writing of continuing problems between reporting periods;
7. comment on the content and the drafts of the work and, at the time of submission, certify that it is properly presented, conforms to the Regulations and is therefore, prima facie, worthy of examination;
8. advise the relevant university committee of the names and credentials of suitable examiners;
9. fulfilling other university-specific obligations regarding supervision; and
10. providing career advice and assistance as appropriate.