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ETD 2009 >
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/2340/1162
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| Title: | Graduate Student's Need Assessment and Impact on ETD Programs: Results from a Large-Scale Study |
| Authors: | David Mendez |
| Creation Date: | 10-Jun-2009 |
| Issue Date: | 30-Mar-2010 |
| Publisher: | University of Pittsburgh, University Library System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA http://conferences.library.pitt.edu/ocs/
NDLTD |
| Place: | Pittsburgh, USA |
| Abstract: | Objectives: This presentation will summarize key findings of a survey among doctoral students - PhD candidates and PhDs - about the challenges associated with this level of higher education. The survey has sought to grasp the personal, academic and administrative issues than confront doctoral students as they move through doctoral programs, and how they deal with them. By understanding issues that graduate students face, librarians and administrators can create programs, including ETD programs, that take into account this group's unique needs.
Methods: Over 600 doctoral students took part in the survey. The survey followed the process of embarking on a doctoral program through its completion.
Results: Where appropriate, the report indicates distinctions between categories of doctoral student, in particular international students versus their domestic peers, and by field of study.
Conclusions: Findings showed Candidates' substantial concerns when embarking on doctoral programs reflect the anxiety of moving into unknown territory - both on a personal dimension and academically. Faculty and professors play the most important part in influencing student decisions on which doctoral programs to apply for. Graduate school websites and rating sources are also significant in the choice. Time management and lack of structure, support and guidance present higher challenges than other factors in carrying out doctoral studies. |
| Citation: | In Proceedings of Twelfth Symposium on Electronic Theses and Dissertations |
| URI: | http://conferences.library.pitt.edu/ocs/viewabstract.php?id=699&cf=7 |
| Appears in Collections: | ETD 2009
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Files in This Item:
| File |
Size | Format |
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| paper18.pdf | 403Kb | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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