2. Below you will find different opinions of postgraduate students on supervision.

A. I found that my supervisor’s advice on reading particularly related to methodologies was extremely good. While researching he gave me plenty of encouragement which really boosted my confidence. Once I started to write I found that he read what I gave him fairly promptly and his comments were very pertinent, enabling me to work through my ideas more logically. He has always made time in a busy schedule to discuss any problems. More than this, he went out of his way to be helpful when I was unwell. I have greatly appreciated the time and effort he has put into helping me and also for his encouragement and support throughout the years of studies. Although I could have felt somewhat isolated because my topic has few connections with other postgraduate research being undertaken, this has been minimised by the good working relationship which has been established with my supervisor.

B. My experience has been that this department is a good place to do research because of the high level of staff expertise and their reputation and influence, which extend far beyond our country. My supervisors has been helpful, available to answer questions, and interested in my work. I have found a joint supervision arrangement to be especially beneficial to my work, giving it innovative approach.

3. Discuss with your groupmates the issue of a good supervisor. The following questions will help you.

1. Is research supervisor a boss, or a colleague, or a friend?

2. What is your idea of an ideal supervisor?

3. What do you prefer: to have a supervisor who is the name in his field, has plenty of ideas, which he is eager to share with you, or a supervisor who knows not much about your subject, but let you make the research independently?

You may use the expressions below.

Appropriate supervisor, experienced in the field of your research interests, to guide and advise you throughout your period of study, the responsibilities are shared between student and supervisor, crucial support of the supervisor, to design and carry out work on your thesis, procedures and regulations of writing and defending your thesis, to establishes a stimulating research environment, to provide training in research, to continuously monitor progress, to provide structured feedback, to remain aware of the student’s situation and needs, to give plenty of encouragement, to boost one’s confidence, pertinent comments, to appreciate the time and effort, encouragement and support, high level of staff expertise, reputation and influence, to be especially beneficial and innovative approach.

Unit 4 how to retell a scientific article

Summaries are often found in academic work. A summary is the shortest account of the main content and conclusions of the original text. In fact it is enumeration of the main thematic point of the original paper which is made up of the words and phrases borrowed from the text and your own wording of them into a very small number of sentences.

When writing a summary, you may adhere to the following plan:

1) the heading and the author;

2) the theme of the paper;

3) the key problems (thematic points) discussed;

4) the conclusion at which the author arrives.

The manner of presenting the material is very concise and it tends to be critical. The summary writer appreciates the material from his point of view and uses as a rule a wide range of clichés, which can be divided into several groups.