Undergraduate and Graduate Communication Sciences and Disorders Students׳ Views regarding the Pursuit of a Doctorate of Philosophy Degree

Abstract

PurposeThere is a recognized shortage of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) professionals who hold a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in the field of CSD. The purpose of this study was to explore CSD students׳ views towards pursuing a PhD and to investigate the relationship between CSD students׳ exposure to research and their views regarding the pursuit of a PhD in order to understand and generate possible solutions to the PhD shortage. MethodThe quantitative cross-sectional survey study included undergraduate (n = 49) and graduate (n = 51) CSD students from 12 Midwestern CSD institutions in the United States. The CSD PhD survey was administered via an online survey tool. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, and the nonparametric Friedman׳s test with a series of post-hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. ResultsParticipants most frequently ranked research interest, desire for knowledge, and making a contribution to the discipline as the most important reasons why one would pursue a PhD. Participants most frequently ranked lack of research interest, satisfaction with current degree and position, and cost of doctoral program as the most important reasons why one would not pursue a PhD. There was a statistically significant positive relationship between CSD students׳ interest in research and their views about pursuing a PhD. DiscussionThe implications of this study support the need to further investigate the relationship between students׳ exposure and interest in research and their views about pursuing a PhD in order to optimize PhD recruitment efforts.