Role of Project Coordinators in Research Projects

♦ Discuss and reach agreement with the student on details of the supervisory arrangements, including a regular meeting schedule. Ensure maintenance of the meeting schedule. Discuss what should be done if someone cannot attend a scheduled meeting. Also discuss access to the supervisor outside scheduled meetings.

♦ Ensure that the student is familiar with the policies and administrative arrangements relating to their studies.

♦ Assist the student to develop a realistic program of study to ensure they complete their research project within the required time

♦ Monitor the student’s progress

♦ If you find the student frequently cancelling meetings, it could be an indication of problems they may be experiencing. Contact the student to indicate your concern and set a new meeting time. Insist on seeing the student and emphasize at this meeting that you need to communicate regularly. It is worthwhile to reiterate that the purpose of the meeting is to help the student to progress and that lack of progress is a cause for mutual concern which is not alleviated by avoiding discussion.

♦ Keep written documentation about decisions and follow-up activities that stem from each meeting.

♦ Take up the issue of unsatisfactory progress with the Faculty committee to determine what action should be taken.

♦ You and your student(s) could then discuss the following issues:

• What does supervision mean?

• What is involved in the development of a research proposal?

• What sort of feedback will the supervisor give: how often, how much, what form?

• What sort of feedback does the student prefer/benefit from, find helpful/unhelpful?

• What research skills, statistical analysis or other technical skills are required for the

research?

Writing the Research Project

• What is the appropriate length, structure, and presentation?