Challenges in preparing academic staff for research training and supervision : The case of the Philippines
International Journal of Educational Management
ISSN: 0951-354X
Article publication date: 5 August 2014
Abstract
Purpose
Little attention has been given to the preparedness of academic staff for their role as research trainers or supervisors. In addition, limited work has been done on this topic in developing countries such as the Philippines. The Philippines is an important case, as it is a national priority to develop university research and improve research training practices, and there is a graduate skill deficit (in terms of critical thinking, academic writing, and data analysis skills). The purpose of this paper is to identify the challenges confronting the government and universities that relate to academic staff development, research supervision, and staff and student support, involving 53 government and university executives and academics from the Philippines.
Design/methodology/approach
The survey involved the participation of selected government and university executives, including the zonal research centre directors, via interviews; and survey of academic staff via a questionnaire.
Findings
Results indicate that the most critical challenges for government and universities in the Philippines relate to effectively meeting the dual demands of teaching and research, building a critical mass of researchers, and developing excellent research skills and competences among staff and students.
Originality/value
The paper is the first to study research training and supervision in Philippine universities, providing a case for the Philippines internationally, which is less featured in research.
Keywords
Citation
Calma, A. (2014), "Challenges in preparing academic staff for research training and supervision : The case of the Philippines", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 28 No. 6, pp. 705-715. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-06-2013-0092
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited