Assessing the Need for PhD in Information Studies: Stakeholder Insights

Abstract

Seeking insights of stakeholders is an important element of the needs assessment process for starting a doctoral program. This paper reports a study that reviewed the perspectives of stakeholders with regard to a PhD in information studies. Feedback from major stakeholders was sought using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods: a web-based survey of 180 relevant stakeholders (including current master students, alumni of the department, faculty members and working information professionals) followed by a focus group discussion with 7 faculty members from Kuwait University and Public Authority for Training and Education. Findings showed that there was a need for starting a PhD program in information studies at Kuwait University. Data also provided important insights about the structure of the proposed program, its content, areas of coursework and specializations. Results of the study might be useful for developing a PhD program in other universities. The findings are also expected to provide guidelines for conducting needs assessment for doctoral programs in information studies.