The supervisor as a ‘coastguard’ in the methodological preparedness of doctoral candidates

This study aims to explore the role of a doctoral supervisor in candidates’ state methodological preparedness within specific disciplinary and institutional context. The number graduates per million is commonly used as an indicator progress high-level competence growth, has become global policy priority. throughput rate candidates closely associated with their preparedness, for which supervision one key antecedents. While several studies have explored supervisory qualities perceived experienced by candidates, supervisor’s role, supervisors themselves, appears be under-researched. provide deeper understanding this from both supervisors’ perspectives. departed view that researchers participants share world supervision. Hence, we phenomenology approach supervision, employing Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method understand how make sense lived experiences We deliberately decided against survey related studies. Although previous research utilised ‘voyage ocean’ metaphor concerning education, extends discourse applying interpretive phenomenological design rich description coastguard context open distance learning institution. Doctoral perform ensuring meet regulatory requirements voyage, are timeously rescued supported during receive necessary navigation assistance reach destinations, cared humanitarian way. recommend similar conducted on large scale different contexts further inform enhancement preparedness.