This paper is based on research undertaken at a developing University in South Africa, Eastern Cape Province. The research explored the roles of the supervisor and student during the conduct of a research project. The study focused on the supervisor and student perspectives on their roles in a research project. A qualitative case study was adopted to explore supervisors and students perspectives on their roles in a research project at the purposively chosen institution under study. Narrative interviews and open-ended interviews were used as the core data collection tools from a sample of 8 research students and 4 supervisors from two faculties of the university under study. The findings of the study revealed that lack of communication, delay and poor feedback, non-availability of supervisors, lack of commitment and ill-preparedness by students were the key aspects that influenced the negative supervisory experiences of the students and supervisors who participated in the study. The study proffers recommendations and interventions that could be used by those in authority in the university under study, by supervisors, and by research students in order to improve and change the supervision experience. Amongst these are the adoption of Faculty Collaborative, training of students and supervisors, and improving of communication guidelines.

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