Supervising Dissertation Projects: Expectations of Supervisors and Students

Abstract

This case study describes, and reflects on, an action research project looking at the relationship between a supervisor and a dissertation student on an in-service Master’s course for teachers. The focus of the article is on the initial expectations of both the supervisor and student about their one to one relationship. Both the supervisor and student analyse interview data for similarities and differences in expectations. Comparisons are made with the work of others who have also studied ‘expectations’. The article concludes by summarising how the supervisor changed her practice as a result of analysing the interview data and being part of the action research project.