6 Sutton Park Road, Sutton, SM1 2GD
Research Supervision Code of Conduct
Policy Statement
The School is committed to fostering a dynamic research environment by providing expert supervision for both undergraduate and postgraduate final projects. The Research Supervision Code of Conduct outlines the expectations for supervisors and students, ensuring effective guidance, regular meetings, and robust support. This policy aims to maximise student success and uphold the highest standards in research supervision.
Principles
- Guidance: Providing consistent, knowledgeable, and constructive guidance throughout the research process.
- Ethics: Upholding the highest standards of academic and research ethics.
- Accessibility: Being accessible to students for regular and meaningful academic interaction.
- Support: Offering support that recognises the research student’s individual needs and challenges.
- Professionalism: Maintaining professionalism in all aspects of research supervision.
- Mentorship: Fostering a mentor-mentee relationship that encourages student growth and development.
- Feedback: Delivering timely and constructive feedback to facilitate scholarly progression.
- Responsibility: Encouraging students to take ownership of their research while offering the necessary supervisory support.
- Development: Supporting the professional and personal development of research students.
- Respect: Respecting the autonomy and scholarly contributions of research students.
- Communication: Ensuring clear and open communication regarding expectations and progress.
- Collaboration: Promoting a spirit of collaboration within the research supervision relationship.
Regulatory Context
This Policy has been developed in line with the applicable laws, regulations, regulatory advice, and sector best practices, including the following:
Additional Research Resources, Support Services, and Academic Culture
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Enhancing Research Environment and Support The School is dedicated to fostering a robust research environment for students. Resources and support provided include:
These measures ensure that students are supported through comprehensive resources, expert guidance, and ample opportunities to develop and showcase their research. By integrating advanced tools, providing extensive training, and fostering collaboration, the School aims to enhance the quality and impact of students' research experiences. |
Final Project Assessments
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Final Project Module Assessments Final assessments for the final project module are detailed in the Academic Regulations:
These assessments ensure that students demonstrate their research, presentation, and reporting skills effectively. Workshops and feedback mechanisms support students in developing practical solutions, communicating their work, and showcasing their research capabilities. This structured approach aims to enhance students' abilities and provide them with the tools needed for successful final project outcomes. |
Rule
Regular Discussions and Support for Final Projects Students and supervisors must regularly discuss learning outcomes, project milestones, and actions, documenting these in the logs. Students may also seek additional support from their Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) and module leaders for their projects and assessments. For more details, refer to the Final Masters Project guidelines. Regular discussions and documentation ensure that students stay on track with their project milestones and learning outcomes. Accessing additional support from PATs and module leaders provides further assistance, contributing to successful project completion and assessment. |
Final Projects Modules
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Advice
Final Project Modules Requirements The School mandates Final Project Modules for specific qualifications. These core modules allow students to demonstrate autonomy by exploring and testing questions through suitable methods. The Final Project Modules are required for:
This rule ensures that students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills independently, reflecting their capability to handle complex projects and contributing to their overall academic assessment. |
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Rule
Registration Timelines for Final Project Modules Students must adhere to the following timelines for registering for Final Project Modules:
These timelines ensure that students have acquired sufficient foundational knowledge and skills before undertaking their final projects, thus maximising their potential for success and maintaining academic standards. |
Responsibilities of the Final Project Module Leader
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Responsibilities of the Final Project Module Leader The Final Project Module Leader oversees the module and allocates supervisors. They must brief supervisors on their responsibilities and ensure effective supervision. They organise and deliver workshops, manage the module in accordance with academic regulations, and handle summative assessments, including extensions, extenuating circumstances, marking, and external examiner reviews. They present marks to the Module Examination Board and produce the annual module evaluation report. Students can direct any module-related queries to the Final Project Module Leader. This rule ensures that the Final Project Module Leader effectively manages all aspects of the module, including supervisor coordination, workshop delivery, and assessment processes. Clear oversight and communication maintain the quality and integrity of the final project module while providing students with a designated point of contact for any queries. |
Duties and Expectations for Supervisors and Students
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Supervision and Support for Final Project Students The School ensures that all final project students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, are assigned a primary supervisor with research supervision experience and relevant subject expertise. A secondary supervisor may also be appointed to assist when the primary supervisor is unavailable. Regular supervision meetings are mandatory, during which students present progress, receive feedback, and discuss challenges. A log system tracks these interactions to support the student throughout their research. This approach guarantees that students receive expert guidance and comprehensive support, fostering a high-quality research environment and enhancing their chances of success. Regular meetings and a tracking system ensure continuous oversight and feedback, helping students address challenges effectively and advance their research work. |
Rule
Student Responsibilities for Effective Research Supervision Students must review and adhere to the relevant policies and regulations, including those outlined in the Student Charter. This includes preparing thoroughly, attending all scheduled meetings, and complying with assessment regulations, including integrity standards. Students should document and log all meetings with their supervisors, keep the final log updated, and stay in regular contact with their supervisor. They should also apply insights gained from weekly training seminars. If issues arise with supervision, students may contact the final project module leader or Director of Education, or use the School’s complaint procedure. Adhering to these guidelines ensures that students maintain a productive supervisory relationship, comply with academic standards, and effectively progress with their research projects. Regular documentation and communication facilitate continuous support and address any issues promptly, while applying seminar insights enriches the research process. |
Rule
Supervisor Responsibilities for Final Project Modules Supervisors must meet with students at least three times during full-time final project modules, with adjustments for other study modes. They are responsible, alongside the final project module leader, for ensuring adherence to the School’s academic regulations, including research integrity, ethics, and the Intellectual Property Policy. Supervisors should:
Supervisors will receive training through the School’s Staff Induction and Training Plan and may apply for further professional development opportunities relevant to supervision. This rule ensures that supervisors provide structured, expert guidance and maintain compliance with academic standards and regulations. Regular meetings and documentation track student progress and support, while comprehensive advice and resources help students meet learning outcomes and assessment criteria. The collaborative approach to pastoral and employability support enhances the student experience and ensures well-rounded development. |
Resit and Full Module Retake
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Resit and Resubmission Policy for Final Project Module If an undergraduate or postgraduate student fails a summative assessment on their final project module, they are allowed only one further attempt. This may involve either a resit or a full module retake, depending on the nature of the failure.
This policy ensures that students have a clear and structured opportunity to address their shortcomings and improve their work, while also managing resources and maintaining academic standards. |
Metrics and KPIs
The following metrics will be measured and regularly reviewed as key performance indicators for the School to ensure the effectiveness of this policy and associated operations.
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Attendance at Supervision Meetings
Achieve a 95% attendance rate for scheduled supervision meetings by both students and supervisors. Regular attendance at meetings ensures continuous support and progress monitoring, which is crucial for successful project completion. |
Compliance with Research Ethics
100% of students and supervisors must complete mandatory research ethics training within the first month of their project. Ensuring compliance with research ethics is fundamental to maintaining integrity and quality in research. |
Meeting Documentation
Ensure that 100% of supervision meetings are documented, with meeting minutes uploaded to the student’s online log within 48 hours. Proper documentation of meetings provides a record of progress and agreed actions, which is essential for tracking and accountability. |
Student Satisfaction with Supervision
Achieve a minimum satisfaction score of 90% on student surveys regarding the quality and effectiveness of supervision. High satisfaction scores reflect the effectiveness of supervision and the support provided, which contributes to overall student success. |
Timeliness of Supervision Meetings
Ensure 90% of meetings are scheduled and held on time. Regular and timely meetings are crucial for ongoing support and feedback, directly impacting the student's progress and success. |