Quality of Academic Research Focused on Prevailing Practices and Expectations of Research Supervisors and Supervisees

Author(s) : Lubna Shahzadi 1, Fakhra Aziz 2, Afifa Khanam 3

Abstract:

Abstract
The present study was aimed to explore quality of academic research focusing on prevailing practices of research supervisor and supervisee. The study was qualitative in nature opting phenomenology within interpretive paradigm. The population of the study consisted of all supervisors and supervisees at post graduate research from HEC recognized public universities located in Lahore. Two supervisors and two supervisees were selected from the faculty of social sciences of two public universities purposively A total of four supervisors and four supervisees were accessed to conduct interviews. Two separate interview protocols for supervisors and supervisees were self-developed based on quality benchmarks for research and problems of researchers. Thematic analysis of interviews was conducted through inductive approach and open coding. The study explored that quality of research depends upon a mutual and consistent relationship of both supervisor and supervisees. Taking responsibility of the research by the supervisee eases out the research process whereas facilitation on the part of supervisors enhances its quality. Supervisors’ professional development and supervisees’ research skills help for latest and innovative methods of research. It is concluded that the supervisor and supervisee must work together to complete the student research project on time because they share equal responsibility for its effective and quality completion and both with frequent meetings, sharing of knowledge, opting latest techniques, and collaborating with other resource persons can contribute to the quality of research.

Keywords: Academic Research, expectations, prevailing practices, Supervision.