Professional doctorate supervision : exploring student and supervisor experiences

Lee, Nancy-Jane

Abstract

This paper discusses research supervision within one professional doctorate programme; focusing on the
processes and issues students and supervisors gave priority. An exploratory, descriptive approach was
used to develop a pilot study. Data was collected from three sources. First student perceptions and experiences
of supervision were obtained during a group workshop. Observations and field notes were gathered
during this event. A second, similar event was undertaken with professional doctorate research
supervisors. Finally a convenience sample of students and supervisors (two of each) participated in open
ended one to one discussions regarding supervision. The discussions were tape recorded, transcribed and
analysed, along with the workshop field notes and observations.
There are implied differences between professional doctorates and the PhD relating to process, purpose
and outcome [Yam, B., 2005. Professional doctorate and nursing practice. Nurse Education Today 25 (7),
564–572; Laing, S., 2000. Linking research to practice. Physiotherapy 86 (7), 371]. Given such implications
professional doctorate research supervision could, or should, embrace critical engagement with issues
related to the leadership of research in professional practice; moving beyond research and methodological
issues. Indeed it had been presupposed such issues would emerge in this study. For example it had
been anticipated that students would want a supervisor or adviser from within their practice setting, to
provide insight and support in relation to leading research in practice and to complement the role of their
research supervisor. Such complementary supervisory roles within the practice context are given credence
in the literature [Kemp, S., 2004. Professional doctorates and doctoral education. International
Journal of Organisational Behaviour 7 (4), 401–410]. However students preferred to utilise support networks
within the professional doctorate itself to address professional issues.

Citation

Lee, N. (2009). Professional doctorate supervision : exploring student and supervisor experiences. Nurse Education Today, 29(6), 641-648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2009.02.004

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: Feb 16, 2011
• Journal: Nurse Education Today
• Print ISSN: 0260-6917
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 641-648
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2009.02.004
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2009.02.004