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Roles and Responsibilities
Writing a thesis or a research project is a process that requires dedication from the student and close supervision from the thesis adviser. The process typically entails regular meetings and follow-up, back and forth email correspondence and ongoing discussion. It is also important to keep the thesis/project committee in the loop of the progress of the work to obtain, where relevant, their feedback. Although you will receive help and support from your thesis adviser and the committee members, keep in mind that you are the researcher and the one ultimately responsible for the whole research work. It is therefore your duty to initiate meetings with your thesis adviser and committee members for feedback and input.
In order to ensure an efficient process, students, advisers as well as MS coordinators need to understand the roles and responsibilities for the different parties involved in the process of the thesis work (as outlined below).
Student’s Roles and Responsibilities
- Read and follow the guidelines in the checklist provided in this manual. Be especially aware of the thesis/project related deadlines such as the registration of the thesis/project, the submission to the GSC and to the IRB, and the deadline to the thesis defense.
- Discuss with your MS coordinator and academic adviser research interests or specific research questions that you would like to explore through a thesis/ project. Selecting a thesis adviser is usually based on matched research interest between the student and the adviser’s research expertise.
- Familiarize yourself with the ethical approval process by reviewing the IRB website (i.e. their forms, templates, requirements) and adhere to the IRB policies and procedures.
- Discuss with your thesis adviser potential possibilities of delays from IRB and external participating institutions and strategize the follow-up process to prevent unexpected delays.
- Agree with the thesis/project adviser on the thesis timeline, number and schedule of meetings and make sure you adhere to that timeline. It is your responsibility to arrange for these meetings, to arrive on time and to respect deadlines for submission.
- Allow sufficient time for the adviser and thesis committee members to review the chapters of the thesis/project.
- In the event you take a leave of absence, discuss with your thesis adviser adequate arrangements for supervision and how you can be contacted; and in case of any issues in the supervisory relationship, keep the adviser or the MS coordinator informed.
- If and when you are on leave of absence, advisers are not expected to contact you to provide feedback on the thesis work and nor should you contact them.
- Maintain a positive and a professional atmosphere in the research and supervisory work.
- Take note of the guidance and feedback provided by the adviser on your work, and always make sure you incorporate it in the thesis work.
Adviser’s Roles and Responsibilities
- Provide guidance about the nature of the research process and the selection of an appropriate research topic, the expected standard of work, the use of research methodologies, as well as a timeline to ensure successful completion of the work.
- At the beginning, discuss with students the publication/authorship guidelines. Towards end, discuss plan for publications. Preferably co-sign an agreement.
- Guide students through the ethical approval process and direct them to read the IRB policies and procedures.
- Remind students that they should allow sufficient time for the adviser/committee members to review the chapters of the thesis/project.
- Advise on appropriate literature and sources beneficial to the student’s area of research, and direct them to library resources for additional guidance; direct students towards supplementary courses if necessary, encourage students to maintain familiarity with relevant developments in their subject area by reading published articles, meeting with experts in the field, and/or attending relevant seminars and conferences/ workshops.
- Maintain contact with the students through regular meetings and other types of structured communication agreed upon between both sides.
- Make arrangement to avoid delays in completion of the work and student graduation in the event of being on leave or absent (research or maternal).
- Follow up closely on the implementation process of the research project (such as data collection, data analysis).
- Provide advice and constructive criticism on the structure of the thesis, the contents of each section, the balance of the different sections and on the style and grammar; if needed, set a meeting for the committee and the student to discuss potential limitations and ways to overcome them.
- Ensure that the thesis/project committee is established according to the graduate policies of the University.
- Liaise with other advisers in case the student is jointly supervised and make sure the responsibilities and role of each adviser are clear and distinct.
- Resolve any problems arising with the research site and help prevent issues of delays.
MS Coordinator’s Roles and Responsibilities
- Orient students and advisers on the Thesis process.
- Resolve problems of communication between the student and the adviser.
- Follow up on advisees thesis progress.
- Arrange for students’ supervision when the adviser is on research or maternal leave.
- In case of any emerging problem, direct students towards the best ways to overcome pending issues and to prevent delay.
