Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

A Systematic Review of Challenges in Research Supervision at South African Universities

Version 1 : Received: 25 December 2018 / Approved: 25 December 2018 / Online: 25 December 2018 (12:04:24 CET)

How to cite: Costa, K. A Systematic Review of Challenges in Research Supervision at South African Universities. Preprints 2018, 2018120305. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201812.0305.v1 Costa, K. A Systematic Review of Challenges in Research Supervision at South African Universities. Preprints 2018, 2018120305. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints201812.0305.v1

Abstract

Postgraduate students in South Africa and other parts of the world, particularly in developing nations struggle to complete the research component of their studies. According to the National Development Plan ( 2013) it has become a requirement for South African institutions to play a pivotal role in knowledge production so as to transform South Africa from a resource-based economy towards a knowledge-based economy. In pursuit of meeting this requirement and further to increase subsidy from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), South African institutions of higher learning have been on the drive for recruiting postgraduate students en masse. One of the main problems facing South African institutions is that the number of students enrolled does not correspond to those who graduate at the end of the postgraduate programme study period. This study is a systematic review of literature on challenges in postgraduate supervision and further proposes a possible solution. Five South African institutions of higher learning’s postgraduate throughput data is carefully studied and substantiated by previous research on postgraduate supervision challenges on these particular institutions. Study findings present challenges related to research capacity development and burden of supervision at these institutions. Collaborative methods of supervision such as the C.O.S.T.A model are hereby proposed as possible solutions to the current throughput problem in South Africa.

Keywords

research, supervision, postgraduate, challenges

Subject

Social Sciences, Education

Comments (11)

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Comment 1
Received: 3 January 2019
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: The paper can help to speed up the process and adress the issues we have as postgraduate students
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Comment 2
Received: 8 January 2019
Commenter: Pearl
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: Simple yet such a profound article! Really inspired work and writing.
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Comment 3
Received: 11 January 2019
Commenter: nyasha tichivangani
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: truthful atricle on what's on the ground
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Comment 4
Received: 21 January 2019
Commenter: Obed Letsholo
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: Great publication
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Response 1 to Comment 4
Received: 23 March 2019
Commenter: Dr Km Khosa
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: Great publication and a true reflection of the reality of our institutions of higher learning.
Comment 5
Received: 23 March 2019
Commenter: Km Khosa
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: A true reflection of the level of both undergraduate and postgraduate Level of training and the outcomes of the years on training.
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Comment 6
Received: 23 March 2019
Commenter: Km Khosa
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: Great publication with great insight on the reality of our higher learning.
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Comment 7
Received: 23 March 2019
Commenter: Cibi John Francis
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: Excellent work from Dr. King Costa. Well arranged article.
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Response 1 to Comment 7
Received: 7 May 2019
Commenter: Nisi Thusi
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: Indeed its a great Study Dr King, seeing the real problems facing South African
institutions. I also appreciate the simplicity of C.O.S.T.A. Model.
Comment 8
Received: 27 March 2019
Commenter: Diamond Motimele
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: The arti le cover key challenges and realities impacting postgraduate students. The proposed C.O.S.T.A model for supervision is simplified and relevant in this regard. A great article indeed.
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Comment 9
Received: 7 May 2019
Commenter: Nisi Thusi
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: The numbers of students
enrolled at any given year during the period under review do not correspond with
those who graduate. This statement makes you think: Where are they & what are they doing?
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Comment 10
Received: 30 June 2019
Commenter: Rev Gordon Letebele
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: Thanks Dr Costa for this informative study. It is a true reflection of what is happening in most if not all universities.
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