A qualitative research on the expectations of faculty members from graduate students

The purpose of this study is to examine the expectations of faculty members on graduate students. The research was conducted with 12 faculty members working in the Department of Educational Administration in Hacettepe University, Gazi University, Middle East Technical University and Ankara University in 2020-2021 academic year, within the boundaries of Ankara. The participants of the study, faculty members, were selected with the maximum diversity and convenience sampling method, Qualitative research technique, phenomenological research design and semi-structured interview form was used to collect data. Descriptive and content analyses were used for data analysis and the results were supported by direct quotations from the participants. Within the scope of this study faculty members expressed their opinions about the expectations of graduate students during lecture, proficiency and thesis period, the tools and the frequency of communication with graduate students, expectations from the graduate students that they encourage for academic life, the characteristics of the faculty members that inspired the faculty members during their own academic life, types of graduate students, the problems in graduate education and academic and personal advice to graduate students. Within the scope of this study, it was conducted that graduate students must fulfill the reading assignments during lecture, proficiency and thesis periods. In addition, the results of the study revealed that graduate education problems are related with improper communication methods with the faculty members, less reading, violation of ethical principles, time management, attendance to the lectures, lack of motivation, allocating time to students, faculty member-student relationship, lack of practical courses, lack of course diversity, student selection and quota of the departments.