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What Took Them So Long? Explaining PhD Delays among Doctoral Candidates

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  • Rens van de Schoot
  • Mara A Yerkes
  • Jolien M Mouw
  • Hans Sonneveld

Abstract

A delay in PhD completion, while likely undesirable for PhD candidates, can also be detrimental to universities if and when PhD delay leads to attrition/termination. Termination of the PhD trajectory can lead to individual stress, a loss of valuable time and resources invested in the candidate and can also mean a loss of competitive advantage. Using data from two studies of doctoral candidates in the Netherlands, we take a closer look at PhD duration and delay in doctoral completion. Specifically, we address the question: Is it possible to predict which PhD candidates will experience delays in the completion of their doctorate degree? If so, it might be possible to take steps to shorten or even prevent delay, thereby helping to enhance university competitiveness. Moreover, we discuss practical do's and don'ts for universities and graduate schools to minimize delays.

Suggested Citation

  • Rens van de Schoot & Mara A Yerkes & Jolien M Mouw & Hans Sonneveld, 2013. "What Took Them So Long? Explaining PhD Delays among Doctoral Candidates," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(7), pages 1-11, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0068839
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068839
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Barbara E. Lovitts, 2008. "The Transition to Independent Research: Who Makes It, Who Doesn't, and Why," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 79(3), pages 296-325, May.
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    1. Jaquiline Amani & Helena Myeya & Mariana Mhewa, 2022. "Understanding the Motives for Pursuing Postgraduate Studies and Causes of Late Completion: Supervisors and Supervisees’ Experiences," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(3), pages 21582440221, July.
    2. Monica Fisher & Violet Nyabaro & Ruth Mendum & Moses Osiru, 2020. "Making it to the PhD: Gender and student performance in sub-Saharan Africa," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Koen Geven & Jan Skopek & Moris Triventi, 2018. "How to Increase PhD Completion Rates? An Impact Evaluation of Two Reforms in a Selective Graduate School, 1976–2012," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 59(5), pages 529-552, August.
    4. Supriya Kumar Ghatak & Balagopal G. Menon & Biswajit Mahanty, 2021. "Identifying, prioritizing and ranking of factors influencing the PhD milestones’ completion delays," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 55(4), pages 1457-1476, August.

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