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Analyzing Research Activity Duration and Uncertainty in Business Doctorate Degrees

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  • Kenneth David Strang

    (State University of New York Plattsburgh, USA, and APPC Research, Australia)

  • Robert J. Symonds

    (University of Phoenix, USA)

Abstract

This study explains how to apply the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) from the project management discipline to quantify uncertainty for the research phase in a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree. Doctorate programs are expensive and time consuming yet unfortunately they have high attrition rates (failure to complete). Although course work is very structured, the unpredictable nature, complexity and variability of research activities make a DBA program risky for students, supervisors, funding sources, and the university (due to high expectations and accreditation criteria). As the US Navy successfully applied PERT on their complex Fleet Ballistic Missile and Polaris Submarine Weapon projects, it is argued that this methodology could help quantify uncertainty and reduce risk in the doctorate research phase. Statistical techniques are utilized to test the hypothesis that PERT is a reliable task duration estimation and planning method for DBA research (based on a sample).

Suggested Citation

  • Kenneth David Strang & Robert J. Symonds, 2012. "Analyzing Research Activity Duration and Uncertainty in Business Doctorate Degrees," International Journal of Risk and Contingency Management (IJRCM), IGI Global, vol. 1(1), pages 29-48, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:igg:jrcm00:v:1:y:2012:i:1:p:29-48
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