Questions relating to degree by reseach. Appreciate feedback from fellow researchers.

I enrolled in a master degree program by research, a collaboration between three parties (industry, academia and sponsor). So the students kinda on their own, neither party fully take them. The program is new, lacking of lots of material and guide, resulting to most of the students extended their semester. (as of now, none finished yet). I fortunately managed to finish mine (thank god). Coincidentally the first one, so no need advise. Submitted the thesis last year. The university's procedure said that it will take 3 month to process thesis upon submission. So the question is:

1) As of now, the thesis still in process (7 month already!!). Reason: External examiner havent give any feedback. Is it normal for this kind of research work to take such long time to process? Can we do anything? I also feel that my situation (self funded, outside student) is one of the contributing factor. Less priority. And I know a similar case student that do joint-research work with a reputable university waited 1.5 years after submitting before getting her result.

2) Is it normal to have supervisors thats not helping (not the subject matter expert)? Been told that it happens, but can change supervisor if we dont like one. But my case was killing me. No other suitable supervisor, and bonded with loan to not able to quit the program, while desperately need technical guidance.

Posted in this section since many 'researcher' flocks here thanks!

p.s: dont ask "wich uni?" coz its completely irrelevant
p.p.s: i personally think this issue is serious. those student sacrificed so much to pursue higher degree to get better jobs, but stuck with it. this contradicts with all goverment efforts to produce high number of RSE.

For Q1: Yes, some cases do take a long time to process. I've heard it's the same with alot universities here in Malaysia. As you know, working people will always have working people's attitude, makan gaji/lackadaisical mentality.

Push them, call them and ask your lecturer to clear the backlogs. Tell them to give you a dateline as a reference. In working world, if you don't chase for payment, you won't get one! Try apply this same law.

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For Q2: That is why i've been telling people to choose a good supervisor before enrolling ! I should get them to read your sharing here Shit happens and a bad supervisor ain't going to help you much. Since you've already finished and submitted your thesis, you are kind of safe, though pity your colleagues.

Do you attend conferences/seminars? Befriend some researchers from your same field and if they are nice, they might help you in some technical queries. Other than that, you'd have to refer more books and journals to get ideas/hints to solve the problems.

Hope the above helps.

hi matt, thanks for the reply. somehow relaxed a little to hear this case is not an isolated one.

regarding the long process, i was quite active in following up the case with the management. but quite lost when it involves the external examiner; surely i cant "push" him to stick to the schedule cant i? plus, im now employed in other state 350km from the uni, my "pushing" options has become limited.

regarding conference, got very little chance. no budget lol. (submitted two papers just to make the lecturer lecturers read my thesis). yup2 without guidance the only solution is to self study. bought and downloaded textbooks, manuals, various reference books (read most of them). i think gone through more than 100 journals and papers (more was archived). scoured the internet, libraries, thanks to friends that has ieee access. (not boasting, just sharing the misery of not having good supervisor)

thanks matt for the info. i guess i need to concentrate following up. cool2. appreciate more ideas if theres any. Not necessarily to have solution, like matt said, this can serve as caution for those looking into doing research. choose a helpful supervisor, avoid self funding (university fund/grant better, the uni wont let u left alone and will help), be choosy on the university. its the system and people should aware. i think this applies mostly to technical(quantitative) research.

You could try e-mailing some top professors randomly, perhaps using PhD application as excuse. Though most likely it'll end up in their spam folder, but hey i did just that and got a few replies.

You already did the best you could. Hope you graduate soon.