Reflections on the supervision of postgraduate research in Accounting Departments

Abstract

The need to enhance the research profile of accounting departments and schools of accounting at South African universities and to increase the number of students engaging in postgraduate studies mirrors the challenges faced by universities in Australia and the United Kingdom two decades ago. Coupled with these imperatives is the recognition of the need for supervisor training in accounting departments and schools of accounting and the lack of opportunities for gaining experience in postgraduate research supervision due to the small number of students in the accounting field wishing to undertake research-based studies. This article reviews relevant literature on training for the supervisors of postgraduate research students, documents the personal experience and observations of the writer and, drawing on these sources, makes recommendations for the training of supervisors. The recommendations include a model for the training of supervisors reflecting two perspectives: “on-the-job” training and the introduction of a departmental supervision guide setting out aspects of best practice. Issues to be addressed in the training of supervisors include training in research methodology, technical expertise, managing the supervision relationship, quality control, providing constructive criticism and feedback, and ethical concerns.