Evaluating work placement supervisors’ ratings of Master’s in research psychology students at an open and distance e-learning institution in South Africa

This paper examines the dataset of work placement supervisors’ feedback from 2014 to 2017 on the skillset of Master in Research Psychology students during their first and second placement periods. A total of 47 placement feedback reports were analysed. The analysis included frequency counts and qua...

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Main Author: Errolyn L. Gordon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Deakin University 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability
Online Access:https://ojs.deakin.edu.au/index.php/jtlge/article/view/1699
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author Errolyn L. Gordon
author_facet Errolyn L. Gordon
author_sort Errolyn L. Gordon
collection DOAJ
description This paper examines the dataset of work placement supervisors’ feedback from 2014 to 2017 on the skillset of Master in Research Psychology students during their first and second placement periods. A total of 47 placement feedback reports were analysed. The analysis included frequency counts and qualitative content analysis using Microsoft (MS) Excel software. The study reveals that placement supervisors place significant value on soft skills, notably a willingness to learn, and frequently rate students favourably on interpersonal skills. The results highlight the importance of viewing placement supervisors as co-educational partners. By evaluating supervisors' ratings of research psychology students on work placement holds significant value in improving educational programs, enhancing student outcomes, aligning with employer expectations, and contributing to the broader understanding of work-integrated learning in research psychology. For students, it entails identifying areas of strength and areas for improvement in their performance. For the university program, this feedback can inform teaching and learning approaches by providing insights into the specific skills, competencies, and knowledge that students need to develop during their program. It can also help tailor feedback and support by understanding supervisors' feedback, leading to more effective guidance and constructive feedback for students. For the placement organisations, the research can contribute to supervisor training and development, ensuring they have the necessary skills to guide and evaluate students, while also improving work placement design and coordination to align with program learning outcomes and provide meaningful experiences for students.
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spelling doaj-art-d932f6362f1c4e9bb238c90e3bc8cd382024-11-17T05:38:51ZengDeakin UniversityJournal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability1838-38152024-11-0115110.21153/jtlge2024vol15no1art1699Evaluating work placement supervisors’ ratings of Master’s in research psychology students at an open and distance e-learning institution in South AfricaErrolyn L. Gordon0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5195-693XUniversity of South Africa This paper examines the dataset of work placement supervisors’ feedback from 2014 to 2017 on the skillset of Master in Research Psychology students during their first and second placement periods. A total of 47 placement feedback reports were analysed. The analysis included frequency counts and qualitative content analysis using Microsoft (MS) Excel software. The study reveals that placement supervisors place significant value on soft skills, notably a willingness to learn, and frequently rate students favourably on interpersonal skills. The results highlight the importance of viewing placement supervisors as co-educational partners. By evaluating supervisors' ratings of research psychology students on work placement holds significant value in improving educational programs, enhancing student outcomes, aligning with employer expectations, and contributing to the broader understanding of work-integrated learning in research psychology. For students, it entails identifying areas of strength and areas for improvement in their performance. For the university program, this feedback can inform teaching and learning approaches by providing insights into the specific skills, competencies, and knowledge that students need to develop during their program. It can also help tailor feedback and support by understanding supervisors' feedback, leading to more effective guidance and constructive feedback for students. For the placement organisations, the research can contribute to supervisor training and development, ensuring they have the necessary skills to guide and evaluate students, while also improving work placement design and coordination to align with program learning outcomes and provide meaningful experiences for students. https://ojs.deakin.edu.au/index.php/jtlge/article/view/1699
spellingShingle Errolyn L. Gordon
Evaluating work placement supervisors’ ratings of Master’s in research psychology students at an open and distance e-learning institution in South Africa
Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability
title Evaluating work placement supervisors’ ratings of Master’s in research psychology students at an open and distance e-learning institution in South Africa
title_full Evaluating work placement supervisors’ ratings of Master’s in research psychology students at an open and distance e-learning institution in South Africa
title_fullStr Evaluating work placement supervisors’ ratings of Master’s in research psychology students at an open and distance e-learning institution in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating work placement supervisors’ ratings of Master’s in research psychology students at an open and distance e-learning institution in South Africa
title_short Evaluating work placement supervisors’ ratings of Master’s in research psychology students at an open and distance e-learning institution in South Africa
title_sort evaluating work placement supervisors ratings of master s in research psychology students at an open and distance e learning institution in south africa
url https://ojs.deakin.edu.au/index.php/jtlge/article/view/1699
work_keys_str_mv AT errolynlgordon evaluatingworkplacementsupervisorsratingsofmastersinresearchpsychologystudentsatanopenanddistanceelearninginstitutioninsouthafrica