An Evaluation of the Challenges of Sudanese Linguistics and English Language-Related Studies’ Ph.D. Candidates: An Exploratory Qualitative Study

Abstract

This qualitative evaluative study is based on semi-structured interviews with two Sudanese professor supervisors and three Ph.D. candidates who have recently completed their Ph.D. study in linguistics and English language-related studies at the Graduate College, University of Khartoum, Sudan. The study explored and evaluated the problems and challenges Ph.D. candidates encountered during their candidature from the perspectives of both supervisors and candidates themselves: How do these challenges impact on their study? How do they cope with these challenges? How can these challenges be overcome? The study provided new insights into doctoral education in Sudan, specifically in the University of Khartoum. The study adopted a qualitative methodology with semi-structured face-to-face interviews being the principal method of data collection along with the collection of some institutional documents, some of which are being used during interviews in a discourse-based format. Five tape-recorded interviews were conducted with both candidates and supervisors. Interview data were coded and analyzed inductively. Results of data analysis revealed that there were many problems and challenges doctoral students experienced throughout their Ph.D. candidature, such as supervision-related challenges, resources-related and organizational challenges. In addition, there were a number of strategies candidates reportedly used to deal with these challenges and both candidates and supervisors reportedly held varied perceptions about what makes a good quality Ph.D.. The study recommendations, implications along with its limitations and suggestions for further research were presented and discussed.