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Doctoral Students’ Perceived Barriers that Slow the Progress toward Completing a Doctoral Dissertation: A Mixed Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Eunjin Hwang
  • Rachel N. Smith
  • Valerie Tharp Byers
  • Shirley Dickerson
  • Leah McAlister-Shields
  • Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie
  • Cindy Benge

Abstract

The non-completion of doctoral degrees has been a concern due to its economic, social, and personal consequences. In the current study, the researchers investigated perceived barriers of select doctoral students in completing their doctoral degrees by utilizing a fully mixed sequential mixed research design. The quantitative and qualitative data were concurrently collected using identical samples (n = 205) via a Reading Interest Survey questionnaire. A sequential mixed analysis revealed 6 emergent themes- external obligations (36%), challenges to doctoral-level researchers (34%), practical/logistical constraints (23%), emotional concerns (15%), program structure (9%), and support for completion (8%). Also, 3 meta-themes were identified (i.e., dissociation, external/internal barriers, and institutional/personal barriers), which aided in explaining the relationships among the 6 primary themes. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Eunjin Hwang & Rachel N. Smith & Valerie Tharp Byers & Shirley Dickerson & Leah McAlister-Shields & Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie & Cindy Benge, 2015. "Doctoral Students’ Perceived Barriers that Slow the Progress toward Completing a Doctoral Dissertation: A Mixed Analysis," Journal of Educational Issues, Macrothink Institute, vol. 1(1), pages 164190-1641, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:mth:jeijnl:v:1:y:2015:i:1:p:164190
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Chris M. Golde, 2005. "The Role of the Department and Discipline in Doctoral Student Attrition: Lessons from Four Departments," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 76(6), pages 669-700, November.
    3. Nancy Leech & Anthony Onwuegbuzie, 2009. "A typology of mixed methods research designs," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 265-275, March.
    4. Anthony Onwuegbuzie & Nancy Leech, 2007. "Validity and Qualitative Research: An Oxymoron?," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 233-249, April.
    5. Anthony Onwuegbuzie, 2003. "Effect Sizes in Qualitative Research: A Prolegomenon," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 37(4), pages 393-409, November.
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    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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