Supervision of Research at Makerere University: Perspective at the College of Education and External Studies

Abstract

This chapter envisions research as a formal and supportive process whose success depends upon the commitment of and the relationship of trust between both the supervisor and the supervisee. Hypothesising that supervision should ensure that the research project be completed within the specified time, it accordingly seeks to find out the relationship underlying supervision and completion of research projects among the postgraduate students in the College of Education and External Studies at Makerere University. A close-ended questionnaire and an interview schedule were used. The findings revealed that about 33% of the students completed their research beyond two years of the stipulated time. The chapter concluded that students that are better supervised tend to complete their research within the stipulated time. Recommendation was for the supervisors to exercise more availability and dedicated support to the supervisee; adding that the supervision-partnership should be respected by both the supervisor and the supervisee.