Feedback on research papers?

[IRdevelopment1]

Hi all, it's my first time posting because I need some advice. I've just finished the second semester of my Masters and found that my professors are not returning my research papers. I wrote 7 research papers this semester, ranging from 12 - 30 pages each, all required for classes. Only two papers were returned with any comments or notes. I've received final grades and so I know that the papers were received. I did well in my courses, so I'm not unhappy with the grades that must have been assigned to the papers, but I would like the professors comments or notes as I'll be likely to use the theories again in the future and would like to strengthen my writing and arguments. Is it unusual for professors in a graduate program to offer this type of feedback? The classes are small, with a maximum of 20 students each, so there's really no issue of volume. Is it rude to ask my professors for their comments? It's been several weeks since I submitted my work. Thanks for your help. 

[fuzzylogician]

Did you ask for comments? Did you ask to meet with the professors to go over your papers? You should do that. 

Often students write these papers because they have to and they don't really care about the work and will never pursue it further, so some professors have a policy of "talk to me if you want feedback" and sure enough, the majority of students never reach out. So professors learn from that that it's generally a waste of time and effort to comment on these required class papers. If the students do care, they'll ask for feedback and they'll pursue the work outside the classroom setting. (And as an aside, I'm not entirely sure why you would think that carefully reading and commenting on 20 graduate level papers is not an "issue of volume." That's a lot of work, and it is frustrating if you feel like most of it is wasted.)

[rising_star]

11 hours ago, IRdevelopment1 said:

 Is it unusual for professors in a graduate program to offer this type of feedback? The classes are small, with a maximum of 20 students each, so there's really no issue of volume. Is it rude to ask my professors for their comments? It's been several weeks since I submitted my work. Thanks for your help. 

1) It's not rude for you to ask. In grad school, I only ever got final papers back with comments when I specifically asked for feedback. As fuzzy has said, they all know that some people are only writing the paper because it's required and not because they intend to build on it in their future work. If you are planning to reuse that work, you should let the professor know in advance and request a meeting later to review the paper, get comments and feedback, or talk through your ideas.

2) I'm over here laughing at the idea that grading and commenting on 20 student papers isn't an issue of volume. If you're at a research university, the amount of time faculty are expected to devote to teaching is typically 30-40% of their workweek (so 16 hours a week on the high end). Of those 16 hours, you're spending ~6 in the classroom if you're teaching two classes. That then leaves 10 hours for office hours, grading, class prep, etc. Could you do a good job reading and commenting on 20 grad student papers (which I'm assuming are 10+ pages each but 20-25 pages is more likely) in 5-6 hours? Probably not. And that's why you shouldn't be surprised that they aren't volunteering to give feedback to every single student in the course.

[Sigaba]

On 5/25/2016 at 9:16 PM, IRdevelopment1 said:

Hi all, it's my first time posting because I need some advice. I've just finished the second semester of my Masters and found that my professors are not returning my research papers. I wrote 7 research papers this semester, ranging from 12 - 30 pages each, all required for classes. Only two papers were returned with any comments or notes. I've received final grades and so I know that the papers were received. I did well in my courses, so I'm not unhappy with the grades that must have been assigned to the papers, but I would like the professors comments or notes as I'll be likely to use the theories again in the future and would like to strengthen my writing and arguments. Is it unusual for professors in a graduate program to offer this type of feedback? The classes are small, with a maximum of 20 students each, so there's really no issue of volume. Is it rude to ask my professors for their comments? It's been several weeks since I submitted my work. Thanks for your help. 

Before asking for more feedback from your professors, I very strongly urge you to reflect upon the portions of your OP in bold face. You may not realize it, but if your comments reflect your approach to graduate school, you may be sending a message that is either different than what you intend, or a very unfavorable one, to your professors.

[AP]

On 5/26/2016 at 0:16 AM, IRdevelopment1 said:

Hi all, it's my first time posting because I need some advice. I've just finished the second semester of my Masters and found that my professors are not returning my research papers. I wrote 7 research papers this semester, ranging from 12 - 30 pages each, all required for classes. Only two papers were returned with any comments or notes. I've received final grades and so I know that the papers were received. I did well in my courses, so I'm not unhappy with the grades that must have been assigned to the papers, but I would like the professors comments or notes as I'll be likely to use the theories again in the future and would like to strengthen my writing and arguments. Is it unusual for professors in a graduate program to offer this type of feedback? The classes are small, with a maximum of 20 students each, so there's really no issue of volume. Is it rude to ask my professors for their comments? It's been several weeks since I submitted my work. Thanks for your help. 

Aha, several things here. 

1. Did you have to write papers in your first semester? If no, I see how this is a sort of surprise to you. If yes, then how come you are thinking about this now?
2. Do you want feedback? (It seems you do) Then ask for it. Professors have many things going on in their academic and personal life.
3. Have you asked to any of the other 19 people in the courses if they got any feedback? If so, were you left out or was it a general thing? As @Sigaba and @rising_star mentioned, 20 is a large number for a graduate class (with some exceptions). So, most probably, professors will give you feedback only if you want it.
4. You probably know this because you've finished your first year in a Master's, but as reminder: grad school is up to you. You shape your education, your questions, your scholarship. You have to be the lead in your own work. Yes, this is easy for me to say as more advanced than you and no, I did not believe this in my first or second years! But I look back, and it is true. Want feedback? Ask for it. The worse that could happen is that professors say no. I think you made a good point saying "I want to explore these theories further". Go for it!