Choosing the Right Supervisor for Your PhD Journey

When embarking on a PhD journey, it’s crucial to select the right supervisor (SV). Here’s how you can make the right choice:

1. Area of Expertise

Before enrolling in a PhD program, identify the topic you want to research. If you’ve secured a scholarship, ensure your research topic aligns with the scholarship requirements. Then, search for potential supervisors with expertise in that area. You can use platforms like Google Scholar or explore expert directories provided by universities. Look at their published works (to confirm they’re active in the field) and the number of PhD students they have supervised. If their expertise matches your needs, reach out to them with a well-written email. Avoid casual or unprofessional messages. For PhD studies at UiTM, you can explore the UiTM Experts directory.

2. Research Methodology Skills

Every potential SV is skilled in research methodologies, but you need to determine whether their expertise lies in qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. Both topic expertise (Point 1) and methodology expertise are essential. If your university allows you to have two supervisors, it’s a great idea to have one who is an expert in your field and another who is an expert in research methodology. This combination will be highly beneficial.

3. Active in Writing and Publishing

Publishing research papers is often a requirement for completing a PhD. Most universities mandate indexed publications in Scopus or WoS, with some requiring one article, while others may need more. An SV who is actively writing and publishing can guide you in choosing the right journals, understanding submission formats, and more.

4. Keeps You Accountable

Believe it or not, doing a PhD can sometimes feel like a long honeymoon—no classes, meeting your SV only once a month, and before you know it, three years are gone. I’ve experienced this myself. Look for an SV who regularly checks on your progress, motivating you to keep writing. Otherwise, you might stare at your computer all day without writing a single line, especially with distractions like Netflix and YouTube. Choose someone strict but supportive, someone who will guide and push you.

Final Advice

Even with a great SV, your progress depends on your own commitment and discipline. If you slack off, even the best SV can’t help you succeed. Once you’ve enrolled in your PhD and secured an SV, pray for good health for both of you and stay focused on your goals.

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