NUS-MOE Humanities and Social Sciences Research (HSSR) - Roles and Responsibilities of NUS Supervisors and Teacher Co-ordinators
NUS Supervisors
The role of the NUS Supervisor is largely advisory. The Supervisor is to:
- advise students on possible areas of research study,
- guide students in narrowing, refining and deciding on the research topic, as well as designing the research,
- recommend relevant resources to pursue research,
- critique students’ drafts without editing or rewriting,
- monitor the progress of the students, and suggest remedial action where necessary,
- provide guidance on research ethics, where necessary,
- provide face-to-face meetings to individual students,
- provide timely and appropriate guidance on the research skills the students would require in order to complete the research paper,
- advise on the presentation of the Extended Essay, and
- explain to students how the Extended Essay will be assessed.
Supervisors should only approve candidate’s proposed topics that they are familiar with. Approving a candidate’s proposed topic for which data is limited could lead to a situation where the Supervisor would not be able to provide sufficient guidance to the candidate.
Supervisors need to ensure that the Extended Essay is an accurate reflection of a student’s individual effort. Assistance beyond what is stipulated will be considered as “over-assisting”.
Supervisors should also limit consultations to face-to-face meetings, which are to be arranged at the mutual convenience of the Supervisor and the student. These meetings should be with individual students, and not with a group of students. The number of consultation meetings should be kept to a maximum of six. Consultation with Supervisors will end in May. Students and Supervisors are advised to schedule at least one meeting close to the end of the mentorship period.
Teacher Co-ordinators
Each JC with students offering NUS-MOE HSSR will be required to appoint a Teacher Co-ordinator. The role of the Teacher Co-ordinator is mainly administrative. Teacher Co-ordinators will monitor the progress of students, including the meetings with NUS Supervisors. They will also serve as the point of contact should the Supervisor need to follow up on students’ attendance, attitude, performance and other issues. Teacher Co-ordinators will not be involved in the actual research and writing process.