a) Research Supervisor: “Although supervisors want their students to succeed, there are clearly limits to the amount of help which they may provide for their students”. (Oliver, 2004, p. 52). Supervisors’ role includes:-
i) Tutorial about research work in general;
ii) Advice on research methodology and design;
iii) Advice on structuring the thesis;
iv) Reading the thesis and finding out its pitfall;
Supervisors also have the experience of examining other thesis as well, so he/she can have a fair idea about the possible questions regarding the thesis, and will communicate the same to the scholar, so that he / she can prepare for it in advance.
If a supervisor disagrees about some content in the research report, only a little scope is left in the hands of the researcher to discuss it in length to arrive at a definite answer. If such a thing happens it would be better if the researcher tries to explain his/her position in front of the supervisor.
b) Research Monitoring Agency: Monitoring means keeping track with the overall progress and achievement of objectives of the ongoing research work and progress in the use of allocated fund to support the management task and timely decision making
c) Evaluation of Research Report: In case of any research work, evaluation is a process of determining the worth or significance or value of the work in regards to the objectives, the efficacy of design, resource use and the sustainability of results. It should also enable the incorporation of lessons learned, credible and useful thought to help the funding agencies to make correct judgment. Evaluation leads to decision-making process and probable implementation of the research result. The supervisor(s) are not normally involved in the approval process of a thesis. There will usually be both two or three examiners, and at least one from other institutes / organizations to which the thesis was submitted.
The role of research evaluator includes the following-
i) Social Engineer: The evaluator is a social engineer, and is neutral;
ii) Controller: They attempt to hold the implementing agencies responsible for their decision and actions.
iii) Advisor: He/She is the advisor to the researcher;
iv) Mediator: The research evaluator is the mediator between the research findings and its applicability, between the researcher and the implementer.
v) Facilitator: By way of supporting the results.
The evaluator in general judges the value of the thesis in regard to the following.
i) Inputs: Human, physical and financial resource that are used to undertake the research;
ii) Outcome: Consequence / results of an intervention;
iii) Output: Results for implementation;
iv) Performance: Whether the results are justified in comparison to different performance indicator;
Before the oral interview, the researcher should read the thesis fully; anticipate the question that may be asked. Once the thesis is approved by the examiners, a copy of the thesis is usually sent to the university / college library.
In case of thesis, it is good to see that only two options are left in the hands of the examiners, either he / she have to accept it or otherwise reject it. The degree is only offered to the candidate, who have critically investigated and evaluated an approved topic by using the research methods appropriate to the chosen field, and makes an independent and original contribution to the existing knowledge base and has presented and defended the research work in the oral and verbal examination to the satisfaction of the examiner(s).