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We see both Masters and undergrad students working on their dissertations, and I absolutely agree with Anna that confidentiality is key. Often students specifically come to us because there is something lacking in their relationship with their supervisor - difficult to access, talk to, understand or trust. Sometimes they just want to try ideas out on someone new; sometimes they feel that revealing anxieties about their work to someone who is going to be involved in marking it is inappropriate. Interestingly we have evidence that some supervisors feel students should be coming for more generic support rather than less - when we introduced a new dissertation workshop a couple of years ago, over 300 students turned up on the day (to a workshop with a capacity of 50), because a couple of depts told all their students that our workshop was a must for a successful dissertation... Kim ________________________________ Dr Kim Shahabudin, Study Adviser & LearnHigher Research Officer Room 107, Carrington Building, Whiteknights, University of Reading, RG6 6UA| ( 0118 378 4218| : www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice : www.learnhigher.ac.uk <http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk/> ________________________________ From: learning development in higher education network on behalf of Magyar Anna Dr (DOS) Sent: Fri 02/10/2009 15:45 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Dissertation students Hi all I see a lot of international Masters students, particularly over the summer when many lecturers are away and so I am familiar with negotiating the boundaries and student expectations around my role and that of the supervisor. Confidentiality is such a central aspect of our service and it is very rare that I have felt the need to persuade the student to allow me to speak to their supervisor. We of course discuss their written work as with any other assignment. But sometimes students talk through their ideas and dilemmas with me rather than with their supervisor, or use me to clarify their thoughts before they see their supervisor. We might also talk about how they got on with the field work if they are in the middle of writing their methodology but I would always refer them to their supervisor for major questions/advice re their dissertation. Anna Dr Anna Magyar Learning enhancement tutor for international students Dean of Students Office University of East Anglia 01603 591312 >-----Original Message----- >From: learning development in higher education network >[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sandra Sinfield >Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 4:50 PM >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: Dissertation students > >We run Dissertation & Major Projects short courses - and we >will also offer support in drop-ins... We try to emphasise >that the supervisor is who they are writing towards... >Best, >Sandra > > >Alison Green wrote: > >> Hello, >> >> I only offer generic advice to students seeking help with >> dissertations.....basic structure, research methodology.....in order >> to avoid conflict with the supervisor. As with everything >else, unless >> the student specifies otherwise, all study support is given >in confidence. >> However, a colleague has suggested that, as the dissertation is so >> important and undertaken in a limited time frame, I might >better serve >> the students by alerting the supervisor to the fact that they have >> sought extra help. Does anyone have any views on this please? >> >> >> >> Best >> >> >> Alison Green >> Study Support Tutor >> Fellow of Learning & Teaching >> Student & Academic Services >> Room D174, Dorset House >> Talbot Campus >> Bournemouth University >> Ext: 65286 >> >> >> >> >> /*BU - the UK's Number One New University*/ >> >> /The Guardian University Guide 2009 & 2010/ >> >> >> This email is intended only for the person to whom it is >addressed and >> may contain confidential information. If you have received >this email >> in error, please notify the sender and delete this email, which must >> not be copied, distributed or disclosed to any other person. >> >> Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the >author and do >> not necessarily represent those of Bournemouth University or its >> subsidiary companies. Nor can any contract be formed on >behalf of the >> University or its subsidiary companies via email. >> > >-- > >Sandra Sinfield >University Teaching Fellow >_______________________________________________________________________ >Coordinator LDU & LearnHigher CETL www.learnhigher.ac.uk >LC-M10 London Metropolitan University, 236-250 Holloway Road, N7 6PP. >(020) 7 133 4045 >www.londonmet.ac.uk/ldu >_______________________________________________________________________ > > >Companies Act 2006 : http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/companyinfo >