The aim of this systematic literature review was to ascertain the best practice available to provide high-quality online support to students during their thesis stage of an Online Doctorate in Higher Education programme. The review process involved a synthesis of available research literature to arrive a comprehensive and trustworthy picture. For completeness we reviewed literature related to both online and face-to-face doctoral supervision and how the latter could be applied to the growing area of providing online doctoral supervision. Through a detailed and systematic review of the literature by the two researchers independently we identified good practices which fit under three themes: Enculturation; Emancipation; and Healthy Relationship. We also highlighted aspects of effective online doctoral supervision