A Symbolic Interactionist Analysis of the Challenges Researchers Face in their Relationship with the Supervisors during Academic Research

Abstract

This study explores the problems and obstacles researchers face while maintaining a successful relationship with their supervisors during academic research. Symbolic interaction believes that relationships depend on interaction and can be interpreted symbolically. A constructivist paradigm was used for this qualitative study using focused group discussions with postgraduate students from public universities in Punjab, Pakistan. A purposive sampling strategy was used and 10 focused group discussions were conducted with 4-7 participants in each group. After the coding, the data were thematically analyzed. The themes revealed that researchers' own lack of motivation and aptitude are the most prevalent problems. Also, supervisors' lack of expertise, unavailability, lack of commitment and even abandonment, their professional engagements and their attitude cause trouble in the development of a successful relationship. However, positive reinforcements, the role of expectations in shaping the relationship and accountability are some of the suggested ways that can improve the relationship.