Doctoral supervisors’ and supervisees’ perceptions on supervisory support and frequency of supervision – Do they match?

ABSTRACT

Supervisory relationship is a highly significant driver of doctoral experience. However, empirical studies exploring the alignment between supervisors’ and supervisees’ perceptions of good doctoral supervision is lacking. A total of 768 doctoral candidates and 561 doctoral supervisors from a multi-field research-intensive university participated in the study. Data were collected with the doctoral experience survey and the supervisory experience survey, and qualitatively and quantitatively analysed. The results showed that both doctoral candidates and the supervisors described informational, emotional, instrumental, and co-constructional support as the primary characteristics of high-quality supervision. However, some differences also existed. Perceptions regarding frequency of supervision are well aligned, although supervisors report supervising slightly more than candidates report receiving it. The results highlight the importance of promoting the alignment between doctoral candidates’ and supervisors’ perceptions of quality and quantity of supervision, as it fosters study progress, reduces the risk of candidates discontinuing their PhD and increases satisfaction.

KEYWORDS:

• Doctoral experience
• social support
• frequency of supervision
• doctoral candidates
• supervisors

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Helsingin Yliopisto.

Notes on contributors

Henrika Anttila

Henrika Anttila, is a senior lecturer in university pedagogy in the Centre for University Teaching and Learning (HYPE), Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland. Her research interests include doctoral candidates’ academic emotions, learning and wellbeing.

Kirsi Pyhältö

Kirsi Pyhältö, is a professor of higher education in the Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki and an extraordinary professor at the Department of Curriculum Studies, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. She is an expert in the field of research education and careers.

Lotta Tikkanen

Lotta Tikkanen, is a university lecturer in the Centre for University Teaching and Learning (HYPE), Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland. Her research interests include doctoral supervision, and doctoral candidates’ and supervisors’ wellbeing.