Supervising a social science undergraduate dissertation: staff experiences and perceptions

Abstract

This article reports on a research project that investigated the experiences and perceptions of staff supervising final year social science undergraduates enrolled on a dissertation module in a post-1992 UK university. Using data from semi-structured interviews, the article explores staffs perspectives of the supervision process, the different approaches taken by staff to supervision and the challenges they face in supporting students through the dissertation journey. The paper offers a picture of the dissertation supervisors’ experiences and, it is hoped, will encourage other supervisors to interrogate their own supervision in light of the practice of colleagues.

The authors would like to thank Professor Sue Clegg at Sheffield Hallam University for her support and guidance in the writing of this paper. They would also like to thank the academic staff who took part in this study and the referees who provided very helpful comments and advice on an earlier draft of this paper.