Navigating the Complex Intersection of Doctoral Degree Requirements: Results from a Qualitative Analysis
Keywords:
Faculty conflicts, publication, professional conflicts, research evaluators, doctoral candidates, doctoral supervisorsAbstract
This qualitative study explores the multifaceted dynamics within higher education institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan, focusing on doctoral candidates’ experiences of addressing degree requirements. To gain their comprehensive and rich insights, the researchers conducted in-depth interviews with purposively selected twenty doctoral students and organized three focus groups, involving a total of 33 participants. Through thematic analysis, three key themes emerged that intertwine to shape the doctoral experiences including mandatory publication requirement for doctoral degree completion, personal and professional conflicts among faculty members and the effect of evaluators’ situations on theses reviewing and completion. The results revealed that mandatory publication of the research paper, personal and professional conflicts among the faculty and administration, and challenges in reviewing the dissertation from international evaluators shape the dynamics of doctoral degree completion that hamper the doctoral journey. By connecting these themes, this study provides a nuanced understanding of the complex intersection of doctoral degree requirements offering valuable insights for academic institutions seeking to enhance the doctoral experience and improve program quality and degree completion.
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