Supervisor problems, thinking of packing in MBS

Proxy

This is paraphrased from a progress report I expect to be filling out shortly (you'll understand why I say expect to when you read it). I'm thinking about leaving my MBS after 15 months, as i've already had to restart it once, and nothing has really changed with either my own interest or my supervisors guidance.

Originally I was highly interested in what I was doing (information systems design), but with so much confusion and lack of guidance i've become miserable doing it, now I just want to quit and get a job.

Here it is:

In my opinion, the supervision and guidance of my thesis studies has been below-standard to a huge degree.

• Meetings are few and far-between and marginally productive.
• Any documents that were submitted, few as they were, were never reviewed to a professional standard, only informally commented upon after being followed up on.
• Meeting times meant for discussion and imparting of guidance for my thesis were largely taken up by discussion of employment with the (x) project, which was in no way relating to my studies at any point, relating only to the study of my supervisor's PhD.
• Meeting times eventually were given up to group “workshops”, lasting roughly one and a half to two hours. These workshops only lent to more convolution and confusion in regards to individual study.
• Direction of study, i.e. recommendation of specific reading or direction of research area was never given.
• Progress reports were never furnished, allowing continuation of this informal behaviour.
• The support given from the Department of Business has been below standard. For example, on numerous occasions we have been refused printing paper, and have yet to meet individually with the head of department in regards individual study.
• My supervisor is not a specialist in the area of my study, and in my opinion, does not have the contemporary knowledge of the area of impart guidance or advice on the direction of my thesis. In my opinion, it would be a danger to continue further under his supervision, as if problems were to arise later due to lack of guidance earlier on, it would be costly in time terms.

Thats an extract of it, i'm not yet finished, but its a pretty damning list as it is. Its been stumbling block after block and I reached my frustration level a long while ago.

Any advice from people been through similar circumstances?

Red Alert

When you say re-started it do you mean with a different supervisor? Sorry it's not going well.

Mod note to everyone in general replying to this thread: just be careful about mentioning who you are and what you work at. I only will really remove material that is libellous or illegal but it's best to exercise some common sense! Cheers.

Proxy

Thanks for the heads up, I made sure to read the charter before posting:)

No I restarted with a topic I was more interested in with the same supervisor as I could not change (there was no facility to do so). I also changed to something I believed my supervisor was more familiar with, which seems to be working out either untrue or indifferently.

Sucks I don't want to quit my Master's but I really can't stand it.

NextSteps

How much further do you have to go? If it's a matter of a few months, could you just suck it up and muddle through, or do you feel totally at sea?
Are there other people with the same problems? If so, could you speak to the dean or head of school informally?

Proxy

Its a matter of months indeed (with a major effort and push through), but right now i'm pretty at sea - less than six months left and very very very little content. I have started to get some feedback from other lecturers though, about time-saving techniques.

Does this happen often?

RE*AC*TOR

To what extent have you discussed your grievances with your supervisor?

Turbulent Bill

Proxy wrote: »

This is paraphrased from a progress report I expect to be filling out shortly (you'll understand why I say expect to when you read it). I'm thinking about leaving my MBS after 15 months, as i've already had to restart it once, and nothing has really changed with either my own interest or my supervisors guidance.

Originally I was highly interested in what I was doing (information systems design), but with so much confusion and lack of guidance i've become miserable doing it, now I just want to quit and get a job.

Here it is:

In my opinion, the supervision and guidance of my thesis studies has been below-standard to a huge degree.

• Meetings are few and far-between and marginally productive.
• Any documents that were submitted, few as they were, were never reviewed to a professional standard, only informally commented upon after being followed up on.
• Meeting times meant for discussion and imparting of guidance for my thesis were largely taken up by discussion of employment with the (x) project, which was in no way relating to my studies at any point, relating only to the study of my supervisor's PhD.
• Meeting times eventually were given up to group “workshops”, lasting roughly one and a half to two hours. These workshops only lent to more convolution and confusion in regards to individual study.
• Direction of study, i.e. recommendation of specific reading or direction of research area was never given.
• Progress reports were never furnished, allowing continuation of this informal behaviour.
• The support given from the Department of Business has been below standard. For example, on numerous occasions we have been refused printing paper, and have yet to meet individually with the head of department in regards individual study.
• My supervisor is not a specialist in the area of my study, and in my opinion, does not have the contemporary knowledge of the area of impart guidance or advice on the direction of my thesis. In my opinion, it would be a danger to continue further under his supervision, as if problems were to arise later due to lack of guidance earlier on, it would be costly in time terms.

Thats an extract of it, i'm not yet finished, but its a pretty damning list as it is. Its been stumbling block after block and I reached my frustration level a long while ago.

Any advice from people been through similar circumstances?

While I've sympathy for anyone with supervision problems (been there myself), two things jump out at me from the above:

1. The supervisor doesn't, and probably never will, have much interest in the project. You're essentially on your own.

2. You seem to require lots of guidance.

Unfortunately, only one of these can change. After 15 months you should have a reasonable understanding of the field and what's required to finish - could you manage the project independently? The natural progression of a postgrad is from strong supervision at the start to much more independent work at the end. My supervisor eventually ended up basically as an administrator, with research direction being my responsibility. As for the departmental problems, you'll probably get short shrift - everyone's in the same boat.

I don't mean to be harsh, but you should see this as an opportunity to do the work that you know is required, rather than blindly following someone else's direction. Good luck!

Proxy

Turbulent Bill wrote:

I don't mean to be harsh, but you should see this as an opportunity to do the work that you know is required, rather than blindly following someone else's direction. Good luck!

I appreciate your creative criticism there TB. I didn't really look at it from that perspective. I am, however, apprehensive as to 'going it alone' per se. Perhaps i'm misleading myself thinking its required to have a hands-on supervisor that will lead me the right way, but i'd still like to be shown some form of interest, to make the research seem worthwhile! Thanks again.

Turbulent Bill

Proxy wrote: »

I appreciate your creative criticism there TB. I didn't really look at it from that perspective. I am, however, apprehensive as to 'going it alone' per se. Perhaps i'm misleading myself thinking its required to have a hands-on supervisor that will lead me the right way, but i'd still like to be shown some form of interest, to make the research seem worthwhile! Thanks again.

Just to clarify, I don't think you should go on a completely solo mission - he's still your boss, and there's the danger of alienating him. What I'd suggest (as a start) is to make a project plan for the rest of the MBS, detailing how you see the work going. Present this to him to get his comments or approval. If there's no response you should just go with it anyway. Once the 'big picture' has been laid out, you can approach him with smaller problems which are easier to solve and more likely to keep his interest.

If the research in itself doesn't seem worthwhile, you could always look on it as a gateway to the finish. Money and fame await .