An imagined discussion about tackling doctoral supervision

The original publication is available from AFRICAN SUN MeDIA, Stellenbosch: South Africa.CITATION: Trafford, V. 2016. An imagined discussion about tackling doctoral supervision, in L. Frick, V. Trafford & M. Fourie-Malherbe (eds). Being Scholarly: Festschrift in honour of the work of Eli M Bitzer. Stellenbosch: SUN MeDIA. 155-184. doi:10.18820/9781928314219/15.A discussion about tackling doctoral supervision.Publisher's versio

Developing a critical success factor approach to holistic institutional evaluation for polytechnics in the states of Cujarat and Madhya Pradesh, India, 1977-1984

The context of this thesis is the technical education system in the Indian States of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh between 1976 and 1984. The research accounts for the development, field testing and adoption of a new method of Polytechnic evaluation. This methodology was derived from the belief that the level of institutional performance was dependent upon nine Critical Success Factors. The research also describes how pressures for change affected the implementation of that evaluative system. This development and adoption process occurred within an international programme of technical education assistance in which the researcher was a consultant. The evaluative system was piloted in 1977 and adopted in one State in 1978.The format of the thesis is that of a longitudinal case study supported by research based evidence of a quantitative and qualitative nature. The research methodology used is diachronic, in which contingency theory informs the analysis of events. The participant role of the researcher is acknowledged. The primary sources of data are international consultancy reports, working papers generated during the development process, reports from Polytechnic evaluations, questionnaire responses and taped interviews. Secondary sources are personal contacts with international academics and supportng literature.Since 1978 this evaluative methodology has demonstrated a capacity to meet expectations attributed to it by those who developed, used and sponsored the form of holistic Polytechnic evaluation now known in Gujarat as `the CSF system'. Evidence shows that the assumptions upon the notion of a Critical Success Factor approach to institutional evaluation were based have validity.(D76425)</p

Research in Education Management and Policy: Retrospect and Prospect

xix, 260p.; 21c

Becoming doctorate as an endpoint and a point of departure

CITATION: Bitzer, E., Leshem, S. & Traffore, v. 2016. (Re) Becoming Doctorate as an End-point and a Point of Departure: Intervention Experiences of Doctoral Supervisors and Candidates, in M. Fourie-Malherbe, R. Albertyn, C. Aitchison & E. Bitzer. (eds.). Postgraduate Supervision: Future Foci for the Knowledge Society. Stellenbosch: SUN PRESS. 223-239. doi:10.18820/9781928357223/13.The original publication is available from AFRICAN SUNMeDIA - www.sun-e-shop.co.zaINTRODUCTION: There are generic features of ‘the doctorate’ that transcend disciplines, universities and doctoral procedures. Perspectives on doctoral outcomes include features of received wisdom, which scholars often refer to as the ‘gold standard’ of the doctorate (Trafford & Leshem 2008: 34–35). When standards at such a scholarly level are met, they constitute ‘doctorateness’, which is what examiners expect to be displayed in doctoral theses (Halse & Malfroy 2010; McAlpine & Ashgar 2010). To achieve generic scholarly standards, doctoral candidates are expected to progress beyond merely reporting facts; levels of knowledge, skills and attitudes that involve intellectualising, conceptualising and contributing to existing knowledge are required. Candidates and supervisors who display this understanding appreciate connections between doing research and writing a doctoral thesis, and for candidates at some institutions, defending their thesis in a doctoral viva. When these criteria for a doctoral degree are met, then ‘doctorateness’ is demonstrated (Trafford & Leshem 2008; 2011).Publishers' versio