System models are commonly used in tertiary education as a mechanism for describing the interacting components of educational phenomena, but have hitherto been uncritically accepted. This paper provides a critical review of existing systems models, including the 3P model defined Biggs, and outlines their conceptual challenges. A revised model…

A discussion of the structure of the social sciences doctorate in the United Kingdom looks at the debate over whether the doctoral degree process should be viewed as education or training, the situation in other countries, graduate student learning and development processes, collegiality, the graduate student-advisor relationship, and student…

Educational and psychological functions of the supervisor of undergraduate dissertations are identified. Special problems of supervisors are discussed together with the difficulties commonly experienced by students. Ways problems may be minimized and the desirability of supervisors acting within an agreed set of departmental aims, objectives, and…

A study of one university's faculty attitudes toward research examined the expressed reasons for doing research, perceived pressure to publish, sources of that pressure, satisfaction with the research experience, and number of publications. A large increase in publications was found, and the probable causes and implications of this finding are…