Challenges for Better thesis supervision

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Academic Supervision

Background:

• Thesis supervision is crucial for student academic development and experience.
• Identifying challenges in thesis supervision is essential for improving quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify challenges in thesis supervision from both student and faculty perspectives.
• To provide insights for enhancing the thesis supervision process.

Main Methods:

• Individual in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were employed.
• Purposive sampling included 43 students and faculty members.
• Content analysis was used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Four major categories of challenges emerged: supervisory knowledge/skills, atmosphere, bylaws/regulations, and monitoring/evaluation.
• Analysis yielded 162 codes and 17 subcategories.
• Key issues identified across all categories.

Conclusions:

• Enhancements are required in rules and regulations governing supervision.
• Qualitative and quantitative improvements in mentorship training are necessary.
• Fostering a better research atmosphere and effective monitoring are critical.