A guiding rubric and usage manual for the doctoral supervisor and doctoral student in the discipline of statistics

Abstract

Following the discussions documented by [3], guidelines were devised to support active early-career, emerging doctoral supervisors in Statistics in South Africa. These guidelines developed are incorporated into a guiding rubric and this associated usage manual. The rubric is not presented as a formal set of rules, but rather a dynamic document encouraging the growth of both the novice supervisor and the doctoral student. The rubric need not be used in its entirety either, since it is only intended to aid in the supervision process within the discipline of Statistics; it is not meant to be overwhelming or overbearing in the supervision process. We present the current evolution of this guiding rubric, after discussions with, and feedback from, both novice and senior supervisors within South Africa over the period from 2022-2024. If the rubric is used, the conference paper [14] should be cited. This document is compiled with the intention of improving the potential for emerging supervisors in Statistics to be appointed as primary supervisor, while allowing for the inclusion of senior academics as expert co-supervisors or mentors in the team. While the development of the doctoral student is the primary goal of this guiding rubric, the development of the novice supervisor is also important as a secondary goal, contributing to the sustainability of academia in Statistics.