scholarly journals Starting Doctoral Dissertation Journey with a Solid Research Problem Statement – A Four Stage Framework

10.28945/4810 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 469-485
Author(s):  
Azad Ali ◽  
Shardul Pandya
Keyword(s):  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Doctoral Program ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
The Other ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Student Adjustment ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Problem Statement ◽  
Graduate Studies

Aim/Purpose: Provide methodology suggesting steps to doctoral mentors to work with students in constructing their research problem statement in their dissertation. Background: Doctoral students face difficulties writing their dissertation and they begin by writing the research problem statement. Methodology: This paper uses a framework widely used to describe student adjustment to graduate studies in general and to doctoral program in particular. Contribution: This study provides a framework to mentors/advisors that is helpful in guiding the students to writing their research problem statement. Findings: Writing a research problem statement is difficult by itself. Following a methodological approach suggested in this study could help with writing it. Recommendations for Practitioners: A methodological approach in writing the dissertation is helpful to mitigate the difficulties of writing the dissertation. Our study tackles difficulties with writing the research problem statement. Recommendations for Researchers: More research needs to be done on methodological approach to writing the other sections in the dissertation. Impact on Society: Our findings in this research will help doctoral mentors/advisors as they guide students in completing the writing of their research problem statement Future Research: Intention for future research is to follow similar methodological approach in guiding students in writing the other sections of the dissertation

scholarly journals Starting Doctoral Dissertation Journey with a Solid Research Problem Statement – A Four Stage Framework

10.28945/4770 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azad Ali ◽  
Shardul Pandya
Keyword(s):  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Doctoral Program ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
The Other ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Student Adjustment ◽  
Problem Statement ◽  
Graduate Studies ◽  
Doctoral Studies

Aim/Purpose: Provide methodology suggesting steps to doctoral mentors to work with students in constructing their research problem statement in their dissertation. Background: Doctoral students face difficulties writing their dissertation and they begin by writing the research problem statement. Methodology: This paper uses a framework widely used to describe student adjustment to graduate studies in general and to doctoral program in particular. Contribution: This study provides a framework to mentors/advisors that is helpful in guiding the students to writing their research problem statement. Findings: Writing a research problem statement is difficult by itself. Following a methodological approach suggested in this study could help with writing it. Recommendations for Practitioners: A methodological approach in writing the dissertation is helpful to mitigate the difficulties of writing the dissertation. Our study tackles difficulties with writing the research problem statement. Recommendations for Researchers: More research needs to be done on methodological approach to writing the other sections in the dissertation. Impact on Society: Our findings in this research will help doctoral mentors/advisors as they guide students in completing the writing of their research problem statement Future Research: Intention for future research is to follow similar methodological approach in guiding students in writing the other sections of the dissertation. *** NOTE: This Proceedings paper was revised and published in the International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 16, 469-485 Click DOWNLOAD PDF to download the published paper. ***

scholarly journals A Four Stage Framework for the Development of a Research Problem Statement in Doctoral Dissertations

10.28945/4839 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 469-485
Author(s):  
Azad Ali ◽  
Shardul Pandya
Keyword(s):  
Doctoral Programs ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Student Adjustment ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Problem Statement ◽  
Graduate Studies ◽  
Research Problems ◽  
Doctoral Dissertations

Aim/Purpose: Provide methodology suggesting steps to doctoral mentors to work with students in constructing their research problem statement in their dissertation. Background: Writing a doctoral dissertation is a long journey, and it typically starts with writing the research problem statement. Students face challenges in articulating the research problem statement. Clearly articulating the research problems statement influences the success of the entire dissertation. Methodology: This paper uses a widely used framework to describe student adjustment to graduate studies in general and to doctoral programs in particular. Contribution: This study provides a framework for mentors and advisors to assist them in guiding students in writing their research problem statement. Findings: Writing a research problem statement is difficult by itself. Following the methodological approach suggested in this study will help students with the task of writing their own. Recommendations for Practitioners: A methodological approach to writing a research problem statement is helpful in mitigating the difficulties of writing the dissertation. This study tackles the difficulties with writing the research problem statement. Recommendation for Researchers: More research needs to be done to expand the use of a methodological approach to writing in other sections of the dissertation. Impact on Society: The findings of this research will help doctoral mentors/advisors as they guide students in completing the writing of their research problem statement Future Research: Future research should follow a similar methodological approach in guiding students in writing the other sections of the dissertation

Summing up and consideration of future research needs

1975 ◽  
Vol 189 (1096) ◽  
pp. 479-483
Keyword(s):  
Organochlorine Pesticides ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Organic Pollutants ◽  
Equatorial Region ◽  
The Other ◽  
Future Research ◽  
World Production ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
The World

If there is one thing above all else that this meeting has established it is surely that most of the questions that one may ask regarding organic pollutants and their behaviour in the sea cannot be satisfactorily answered at present. It is only, perhaps, in regard to the persistent organohalogen pesticides, DDT and dieldrin in particular, and PCBs, that one can speak with any assurance. We were persuaded by Professor Goldberg and Dr Portmann that, although the peak input to the oceans in the northern hemisphere may have passed in respect of both DDT and dieldrin, this is not so for the equatorial region and the southern hemisphere; the problem has moved southward and the world production and use of organochlorine pesticides is still increasing. Vigilance must therefore be maintained. The use of PCBs, on the other hand, is being generally phased out.

scholarly journals Factors Affecting Academic Self-Efficacy and Academic Self-handicapping Behaviors in Doctoral Students

10.28945/4414 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 637-649
Author(s):  
Anique A Falconer ◽  
Borivoje-Boris Djokic
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Student Retention ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Doctoral Program ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Academic Self Efficacy

Aim/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine to which degree age, race, and Socioeconomic Status (SES) influence academic self-efficacy and academic self-handicapping behaviors in doctoral. Background: Across all disciplines, more than 50% of students who begin a doctoral program do not persist to graduation. Although the issue of student retention and psychological factors have been proffered, much attention has not been placed on this relationship. Past researchers have focused primarily on academic-related, student-related, institutional, and financial factors. Methodology: A quantitative study was conducted, using the exploratory factor analysis. One-hundred and sixty-five participants, of legal age, who had completed at least one semester of a doctoral program, were involved in this current study. Contribution: The findings from this study increase the empirical evidence reported on the scarce literature on student retention and psychological factors in doctoral students. Findings: The factor analysis test did not show a statistically significance between the dependent variables -academic self-efficacy and academic self-handicapping- and any of the independent variables – gender, race, age, and socioeconomic status. Recommendations for Practitioners: Higher education leaders should make a proactive effort to understand the issue of student retention from a psychological perspective and make implementations to reduce these problems for doctoral students. Recommendation for Researchers: Future researchers should explore in-depth psychological variables that contribute to the high attrition rates in doctoral students. Impact on Society: A better understanding of the factors affecting the cognitive strategies and self-constructs of doctoral students could provide those working in academia with a better understanding of the problem and increase awareness at a societal level. Future Research: It is recommended that future research be carried using a mixed methods approach to offset the limitations found in the quantitative strand and gain thick, rich data from the qualitative strand.

scholarly journals Heterogeneity in Vulnerability and Resilience Among Centenarians

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 109-110
Author(s):  
Daniela Jopp ◽  
Charikleia Lampraki ◽  
Dario Spini
Keyword(s):  
Successful Aging ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Very Old Age ◽  
Psychological Strengths

Abstract Given their exceptional longevity, centenarians have long been considered as examples of successful aging. Yet, with increases in empirical studies, findings suggest that they may show vulnerability and resilience at the same time. This symposium offers a more in-depth perspective on both constructs in centenarians. Zaccaria and colleagues investigated the link between social isolation and loneliness within the Fordham Centenarian Study. Results indicate the existence of four subgroups combining expressions of isolation and loneliness, suggesting different vulnerability patterns in centenarians. Uittenhove and colleagues analyzed patterns of coping strategies in the Second Heidelberg Centenarian Study. Cluster analysis identified two coping profiles, one characterized by a wide coping repertoire including problem-directed and internal strategies, while the other showed low problem-solving. Lampraki and Jopp examined the effects of (lacking) resources and psychological strengths (optimism) on depressive symptoms in the Fordham Centenarian Study. Findings suggest that the effect of resources is mediated by psychological strengths, demonstrating their beneficial value in very old age. Jopp and colleagues report findings from the ongoing SWISS100 Study. Based on telephone interviews conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, they found that centenarians did not feel vulnerable. While half of the centenarians and their proxies reported no changes in everyday life, the other half experienced substantial challenges due to lack of activities and absence of social contacts due to governmental regulations. In sum, centenarians are vulnerable and resilient at the same time, highlighting the future research needs on its predictors, and the application of this knowledge within the context of crisis.

scholarly journals The Influence of Family on Doctoral Student Success

10.28945/4450 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 761-782
Author(s):  
Erin Breitenbach ◽  
Josh Bernstein ◽  
Candace L Ayars ◽  
Lynda Tierney Konecny
Keyword(s):  
Student Success ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Doctoral Student ◽  
Doctoral Program ◽  
Doctoral Degree ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Family Influences

Aim/Purpose: This qualitative case-study explores how a doctoral student’s family influences the doctoral student’s success from the perspective of doctoral students who were enrolled in an online doctoral program. Background: Previous research has shown that family can significantly influence doctoral student success; however, it is not clear what is meant by family nor what the details of the influence of family look like from the perspective of the doctoral student. Methodology: A qualitative case-study method was used. More than 500 former students enrolled in an online doctoral program were emailed a web-based survey that elicited information about who they considered to be in their family, how they thought their relationship with their family changed while they were a doctoral student, and how much they thought their family understood what it means to be a doctoral student. One hundred thirty-three (24%) former students participated in the study. Qualitative data were analyzed both manually and electronically by three researchers who subsequently triangulated the data to confirm themes. Contribution: This study defines ‘family’ from the doctoral student perspective and provides an in-depth look at how family influences doctoral student success including explanation of family support and lack thereof that previously has been shown to be significant to facilitating or hindering doctoral student success. Findings: Doctoral students mostly considered their immediate and extended family (i.e., spouses, significant others, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and parents-in-law) to be family, but some considered friends and coworkers to be part of their family as well. Most doctoral students experienced positive family support, but for those who did not, two major themes emerged as problematic: a reduction in the amount of time spent with family and family not understanding the value of earning a doctoral degree. Recommendations for Practitioners: Institutions of higher education should consider these findings when creating interventions to increase retention of doctoral students. Interventions might include orientation programs to help family members understand the value of earning a doctoral degree, the time commitment necessary to complete a doctoral degree, and ways to support a family member earning a doctoral degree. Recommendation for Researchers: The findings inform future research by surfacing more specific information about what family support and lack thereof looks like for doctoral students and what interventions for improving family support might include. Impact on Society: Improving family support may improve doctoral student success by adding more doctoral-trained leaders, innovators, scholars, and influential educators to society and by supporting the financial investment of students and their families by decreasing attrition. Future Research: Future research should focus on creating quantitative instrumentation to measure the influence of family on doctoral student success. Student populations from different types of doctoral programs (e.g., PhD, MD, DO) might be studied as well. Interventions aimed at improving family support should be designed, implemented, and evaluated for effectiveness.

scholarly journals Team Teaching the Active Way: A Case Study about the Student Learning Experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mendi Davis ◽  
Renee Winter
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Team Teaching ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Doctoral Program ◽  
Private University ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Teaching Model ◽  
Teaching Learning

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to describe the students’ learning experience when utilizing a team teaching approach in an online doctoral program at a private university located within the Southwestern region of the United States. The theoretical foundation of Community of Inquiry developed by Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2000) supported this study. The overarching question that drove this study was, “How do students in an online doctoral program describe the team teaching learning experience?” The sample consisted of six doctoral students from a private university enrolled in an online doctoral course. Participants were interviewed and videotaped using Zoom. Data were obtained through semistructured interviews with open-ended questions that focused on the student experience. The interviews were transcribed and coded to identify themes. The discussion of the findings included the importance of access to the instructor, instructor feedback, and student support. Participants reported that their student learning experience was enhanced due to the team teaching model. Future research should examine the team teaching model from the perspective of the instructor and from a variety of courses.

scholarly journals Wastewater treatment modelling: dealing with uncertainties

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (8) ◽  
pp. 1929-1941 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Belia ◽  
Y. Amerlinck ◽  
L. Benedetti ◽  
B. Johnson ◽  
G. Sin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Model Prediction ◽  
Prediction Accuracy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Problem Statement ◽  
Engineering Project ◽  
Sources Of Uncertainty ◽  
Comprehensive Discussion

This paper serves as a problem statement of the issues surrounding uncertainty in wastewater treatment modelling. The paper proposes a structure for identifying the sources of uncertainty introduced during each step of an engineering project concerned with model-based design or optimisation of a wastewater treatment system. It briefly references the methods currently used to evaluate prediction accuracy and uncertainty and discusses the relevance of uncertainty evaluations in model applications. The paper aims to raise awareness and initiate a comprehensive discussion among professionals on model prediction accuracy and uncertainty issues. It also aims to identify future research needs. Ultimately the goal of such a discussion would be to generate transparent and objective methods of explicitly evaluating the reliability of model results, before they are implemented in an engineering decision-making context.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Examination of Challenges Influencing Doctoral Students in an Online Doctoral Program

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anant Deshpande
Keyword(s):  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Doctoral Program ◽  
Business Administration ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Quality Of Instruction ◽  
Course Structure ◽  
The University

<p class="apa">The main purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges faced by students in completion of an online doctoral program at the University of Liverpool, Online Doctoral Business Administration program. We analyse the responses of 91 doctoral students in an online DBA program. Based on the exploratory qualitative study themes were developed based on student perceptions. Various themes identified were course structure and workload, resources, absence of human interaction, technological challenges, support systems, and satisfaction with instructor and quality of instruction. Discussion, Implications and avenues for future research are presented.</p>

scholarly journals Doctoral Students with Disabilities: Challenges in Academic Programs and Research Methodology

10.28945/3900 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 181-193
Author(s):  
Michelle C Lizotte ◽  
Stacy C. Simplican
Keyword(s):  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Doctoral Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Minority Group ◽  
The United States ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
University Faculty ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Research Subjects

Aim/Purpose: Doctoral students with disabilities represent 5 to 10 percent of the graduate student population and, yet, research seldom documents their experiences. We propose a research agenda and methodological approaches that circumvent these limitations, including a substantive focus on universal design to measure graduate program’s awareness of disability, experimental methods to minimize response bias, and ways to redefine disability to improve recruitment of potential research subjects. Background: Research suggests that doctoral students with disabilities face different challenges than undergraduate students with disabilities and that graduate advisers are pivotal to their success. Existing literature has several limitations, including small sample sizes, a reliance on survey and interview data, little attention to issues of diversity within doctoral students with disabilities, and difficulty defining disability. Methodology: This article utilizes a systemic literature review (SLR) in order to describe the current state of both the research and the practice of doctoral students with disabilities. Contribution: This paper defines major gaps in the existing literature and addresses potential ways to address these gaps through research and practice. Findings: There are barriers for doctoral students with disabilities at every level of the process, which is not being addressed or remediated resulting in greater disadvantages and decreased successful outcomes. Recommendations for Practitioners: In this context, practitioners will refer to professionals employed at university disability centers and university faculty. Recommendations include disability awareness and resource training for university faculty and staff. Faculty can maintain open lines of communication with their students and advisees related to disability and accommodations as well as increasing program flexibility. Recommendation for Researchers: Research is critically needed regarding the experiences, needs, and outcomes of doctoral students with disabilities. This research needs to come from both the individuals, faculty, and systemic level of higher education. Impact on Society: Individuals with disabilities are the largest minority group in the United States. However, this population rarely receives the research, funding, services, and social attention paid to other marginalized groups. Future Research: Future research needs to utilize larger scale quantitative studies to obtain reliable data. Longitudinal information would greatly improve the information regarding outcomes for doctoral students with disabilities.

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