Effective Research Supervision

Abstract

This is a research paper report into what constitutes the effective supervision of international, part-time, PhD theological students in a largely distance learning environment. A qualitative research case study was carried out among students and supervisors at the International Baptist Theological Study Centre (IBTSC) in 2016. From the responses, I identify the importance of supervisory knowledge, skills, attributes, and the two key practices of timely and detailed feedback, along with managed team supervision, as central to effective research supervision. In addition, I highlight the significance of the part-time and largely distance, international, and theological nature of the student participants. In discussing these findings, I relate them to wider educational research and literature on research supervision.