Exploring Engineering Students’ Perceptions Towards Supervision in Final Year Project (FYP)

Abstract

Supervision is very important in teaching and learning process in higher education. Both the lecturer (supervisor) and student (supervisee) must know about supervisory process for the supervisory process to be smooth. This study is conducted with the aim to explore undergraduate engineering students' views on (1) supervisory process, (2) role of supervisors, and (3) factors that affect supervisory process. A total of 246 undergraduate engineering students, who are supervisees for Final Year Project (FYP) respond to an online survey. The survey has 4 main sections; Demographic Profile, Students' Perceptions of the Supervisory Process, Students' Perceptions of the Role of the Supervisors, and Factors that Affect a Supervisory Process. The responses were analysed using SPSS 26, which are frequency and mean. It was found that students depend on their supervisor for guidance to complete FYP. However, the students also want to make their own decision relating to theoretical framework, methodology, design, and title for FYP. The findings in this study contribute to the body of knowledge on supervision as the findings can assist supervisors to understand more on the students' perceptions towards supervisory process. When the supervisory process is smooth, the students will be more motivated and perform better.