Experiences Of Doctoral Students Research Articles

Exploring the interplay of academic stress, motivation, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness in higher education: a longitudinal cross-lagged panel model approach

Students in higher education often encounter significant academic pressure, which can have profound implications for their mental health and academic performance. The current study employs a two-wave longitudinal design to investigate the dynamic interrelationships among academic stress, academic motivation, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness. The study employed a cross-lagged panel model to investigate the temporal interactions among these four constructs and their influence on the academic experiences of doctoral students. The sample consisted of 643 individuals at Time 1 (September/October 2022), followed by a subsequent assessment involving 413 participants (July/August 2023). Notably, there was an overlap of 373 participants who were evaluated at both time points. The results indicated the presence of substantial reciprocal relationships among the constructs under investigation. The outcomes indicated that elevated emotional intelligence and mindfulness levels are associated with reduced academic stress and enhanced motivation. The implications of this analysis underscore the necessity of facilitating interventions aimed at enhancing emotional intelligence and mindfulness. These components are instrumental in promoting resilience and supporting academic success among students. These longitudinal insights hold significant importance within the academic literature as they elucidate the various stressors doctoral students encounter. Furthermore, this research provides practical implications for educators and policymakers in formulating targeted strategies to enhance student well-being and improve educational outcomes.

Scholarly Writing Experiences of Doctoral Students as Nonnative Speakers of English: Encountered Challenges and Needed Support

This study explores the challenges doctoral students encounter and the support they require at an international university where publishing is a prerequisite for graduation. Conducted at an English as a Medium of Instruction university in Northern Cyprus, the research study focuses on non-native English-speaking students and academic staff who use English as an Additional Language. A mixed-methods approach was employed, triangulating data from various research instruments (interviews, questionnaires, and group discussions) and multiple perspectives, including 147 PhD students, six supervisors, and two policymakers. The findings reveal four main challenges faced by PhD students: language-related, genre-related, support-related, and journal-related. The study also reports the types of support PhD students need to enhance students’ scholarly publishing literacy. Based on the results, the importance of guiding to improve doctoral students’ publication literacy is underscored. The implications suggest further research should investigate how to enhance publication literacy across diverse academic disciplines.

Woven: the intersections of disability and doctoral study, and the lives of students who navigate these intersections

Purpose This paper aims to understand the experiences of disabled doctoral students at one Aotearoa New Zealand University, identifying barriers to accessibility and meaningful participation, and enabling practices. Design/methodology/approach This research was underpinned by the social model of disability and used an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach. A survey comprising closed and freeform questions was distributed to all doctoral students. From the 64 respondents, 12 also took part in an unstructured, narrative interview. Data were analysed using a combination of methods: descriptive statistics, thematic analysis and poetic inquiry. Findings Findings are presented mainly as data poetry. The poems centre on complexities faced by disabled doctoral students, and articulate challenges, enabling practices and possibilities for the future encountered by students in this study. Findings are additionally supported with quotes from narrative interviews, open-ended survey questions and descriptive data analysis. Originality/value The poetic inquiry approach gives voice to the collective experiences of disabled students. The poetic texts bear witness to the intersections of disability, impairment, chronic illness, neurodiversity and doctoral study, and the lives of students who navigate these intersections. These poems voice and seek to be lightning-rods for social change.

Nursing doctoral students’ experiences of the courses and comprehensive examinations in China: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundUnderstanding the experiences of doctoral students regarding courses and comprehensive examinations is crucial to enhance the quality of doctoral programs. Scarce information is available on the experiences of nursing doctoral students on the courses and comprehensive examinations in China. The purpose of this study was to understand the nursing doctoral students’ experiences on courses and comprehensive examinations of the doctoral program at Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, and propose improvements.DesignA convergent parallel mixed methods design adhering to EQUATOR guidelines for Good Reporting of a Mixed Methods Study.MethodsA total of 20 doctoral students were recruited through purposive sampling in September 2022 from the Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University. They completed the self-designed questionnaire on demographic data, course, and comprehensive examination evaluations and participated in focus groups. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were recorded and transcribed for content analysis.ResultsRegarding course experience, doctoral students preferred in-person lectures (80%) and group discussions (60%) for specialized compulsory courses. They were satisfied with the course novelty (85%), difficulty (75%), and practicality (85%), and half of the students found the credit allocation reasonable. The qualitative findings revealed their preference for appropriate and blended teaching methods, needs for additional interdisciplinary courses, statistics, and inter-school collaborative courses, accessible Nursing Philosophy and Theory courses, and high proportion of compulsory course credits. Regarding comprehensive examination experience, only 20% considered it necessary, and qualitative data revealed that they prefer more distinctive and effective contents; moreover, students were confused about the purpose of comprehensive examinations. The triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data demonstrated relative convergence.ConclusionsThese findings illustrated nursing doctoral students' experiences on courses and comprehensive examinations and provide suggestions on improving the courses and comprehensive examinations in China and possibly in the world. This study contributes to improving the quality of nursing doctoral programs in China and can serve as valuable guidance for nursing doctoral programs with similar educational environment around the world that are undergoing course and comprehensive examination reform.

Factors associated with mentoring and supervising US doctoral students with LD and/or ADHD

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore advisor–advisee relationships from the perspective of doctoral students with learning disabilities (LD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While some research exists on the importance of doctoral advisor/advisee relationships generally, few studies have focused on advisor support for doctoral students with LD and/or ADHD. Design/methodology/approach In total, 20 doctoral students from various US institutions with an average age of 28 years old participated in this study. In all, 2 participants had a dual diagnosis of LD and ADHD, 3 were diagnosed solely with LD and 15 solely with ADHD; 15 of the participants with ADHD indicated that they take medication. Each graduate student participated in an hour-long semi-structured Zoom interview inquiring about their disability and their relationship with their advisor. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed inductively. Findings The relationship between the participant and their advisor was the key theory. In total, 6 participants disclosed their disability status to their advisor with positive results, 2 had negative outcomes and 12 did not disclose for various reasons. The overarching theme of the study is that advisors are supportive of doctoral students with LD and/or ADHD whether or not they know about the student’s disability. Support was seen in offering flexible and strict deadlines, advocating on the student’s behalf and/or forming personal relationships with students. Research limitations/implications One of the biggest challenges of this study was recruiting participants. Graduate students with LD and ADHD are justifiably afraid of facing discrimination; therefore, it was difficult to identify participants despite having IRB approval and placing a very high value on confidentiality. The sample was consequently limited in size as well as in terms of race and gender diversity and was not representative of students with LD and/or ADHD in higher education. Qualitative research is typically not generalizable and the same was true for this study. This study gives a broader glimpse into the experiences of doctoral students with ADHD than those with LD. Additionally, when one of the researchers began each interview, she revealed that she also has a learning disability. While this may have helped participants feel more comfortable, it also could have influenced their responses. Practical implications This study undertakes a more detailed investigation than previous research on the experiences of individuals with LD and/or ADHD in doctoral programs in the US. The findings provide current data on perceptions of advisor–advisee relationships in the students’ own voices. Social implications Given the emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in US higher education, students with LD and/or ADHD need to be actively engaged in these conversations. With increasing numbers of students with LD and ADHD entering higher education and pursuing graduate degrees, faculty must be prepared to support all their students. By assessing strategies for positive mentor–mentee relationships among doctoral students with LD and/or ADHD, institutions can continue to foster increased diversity, creating doctoral programs and developing future faculty who more accurately represent the world in which we live. Originality/value The population studied doctoral students with LD and/or ADHD in the USA adds to the literature. The findings in terms of disclosure as it relates to advisors also adds to the literature. Doctoral students in the USA are dropping out at high rates making this an area that needs exploration.

Cross-cultural experiences: Voices of the Chinese doctoral students at a Spanish university

The aim of the study was to investigate the experiences of Chinese doctoral students at a Spanish university, aiming to enhance understanding of transcultural experiences. Challenges perceived during their cultural transition throughout their doctoral studies were explored, along with the strategies they employed to overcome these obstacles. Following a qualitative approach, eight participants were interviewed in depth on critical incidents experienced in academic and sociocultural settings. Effective communication emerged as the main challenge. Most critical incidents in the relationship with supervisors were associated with mismatched expectations and misunderstandings regarding learning objectives and activities. Limitations in writing in English and unfamiliarity with the sociocultural environment of the host university were perceived as hindering the achievement of academic goals and the adaptation to the local culture. Interaction with other doctoral students, self-determination, critical reflexivity, and autonomy were coping strategies that facilitated cross-cultural adaptation. The results confirm the legitimate socio-educational needs of Chinese students and their broad cultural and pedagogical agency. Results are useful for institutional support programs and to help doctoral students and supervisors establish adaptive cross-cultural relationships. Moreover, the study shows the resourcefulness of Chinese students in dealing with the challenges of cross-cultural transition and emphasizes the role that higher education institutions must play in serving international students.

Gaining by losing: The daily living experience of international female doctoral students in Aotearoa New Zealand

ABSTRACT This Straussian grounded theory study explored how female doctoral students from South East Asia managed their daily occupations while studying in Aotearoa New Zealand. Twenty-three participants who were living or had lived in Auckland, one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s metropolitan cities, completed semi-structured, in-depth interviews on their experiences of occupation in that context. Data were also collected via participant observations. The analysis of data through open, axial, and selective coding yielded a substantive theory: Gaining by Losing , which entailed a three-stage process of Choosing to be International Students, Meeting Challenges, and Returning Transformed. Each stage was characterised as being in dynamic tension of initially exploring opportunities/making sacrifices, then encountering difficulties/making adjustments to daily occupations while studying, and ultimately living with their choice/experiencing changes. The findings revealed that temporarily moving to a city with a high cost of living elicited changes in the way they performed daily occupations, such as studying, cooking, shopping, caring for children, and so forth.

Exploring the experiences of Muslim doctoral students in UK higher education: challenges, implications, and pathways to inclusivity

ABSTRACT This study provides a much needed insight into Muslim doctoral students’ perceptions of UK higher education and their experiences through their doctoral study. The research is based on interviews with fourteen Muslim doctoral students from a range of academic disciplines and provides a qualitative snapshot of the challenges faced by Muslim doctoral candidates. These challenges encompass a complex interplay of personal, economic, and social factors, including Islamophobia, overt and covert racism, and marginalisation. This, alongside a number of themes including the representation of the racialised Muslim as a doctoral student, feelings of disillusionment and fatigue, and the presence of gatekeeping practices within higher education. From this study, it has been concluded that there is an urgent need for a critical examination of the existing systems and spaces in which doctoral education operates. An essential aspect of this is recognising and understanding how anti-Muslim sentiments within the Academy can profoundly impact the experiences of doctoral education and beyond. The study advocates for enhanced Muslim visibility, better representation, and improved mentoring support within doctoral education. Additionally, the paper calls for stronger measures and punishments against higher education institutions that fail to address prejudices and neglect to provide inclusive spaces for their students.

‘I Just Filled Out a Form’ Experiences of Doctoral Students with Disabilities, Long-Term Health Conditions and/or Additional Study Needs

‘I Just Filled Out a Form’ Experiences of Doctoral Students with Disabilities, Long-Term Health Conditions and/or Additional Study Needs

Mindfulness Practice and Expressions of Wellness: Experiences of Doctoral Counselor Education and Supervision Students

ABSTRACT Researchers advocate for wellness as part of counseling practices to minimize stress, improve quality of life, and promote well-being. Furthermore, mindfulness may play a critical role in the cultivation of wellness, particularly among counselor education and supervision (CES) students. This study aimed to capture the lived experiences of wellness practices among CES doctoral students who received formal mindfulness training. The following four themes emerged: (a) self-discovery through awareness, (b) practices of presence, (c) wellness as a whole person, and (d) resistance and challenges. Participants identified awareness as central to the intersection of mindfulness and wellness. Implications include using mindfulness as a vehicle to identify and engage in wellness practices that best serve students’ needs and ways to skillfully integrate mindfulness into CES curricula. Examining the in-depth stories of wellness cultivation and the influence of mindfulness could lead to new insights and practical steps to enhance counselor training and whole-person development.

Support without Status: Inequities in Student–Advisor Relational Dynamics between First-Generation and Continuing-Generation Doctoral Students

One of the most important developmental relationships in the doctoral student experience is that of the faculty advisor, and yet we know little about whether and how advisor relationships vary between first-generation and continuing-generation doctoral students. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 83 late-stage doctoral students in biological sciences, we explore differences in student perceptions of their relationships with advisors. Narratives reveal a continuum of relationship types, including strained, evolving, supportive, and equal. In equal relationships, doctoral students feel more like collegial partners working alongside their advisors. While continuing-generation and first-generation students are similarly represented among strained and evolving relationships, first-generation students rarely attain equal relationship status. The presented findings offer implications for understanding how inequality shapes student–advisor relationships, the role of collegiality in doctoral education’s hidden curriculum, and the supports needed to foster equity for first-generation students in graduate programs.

Navigating educational trajectories and transitions: A qualitative systematic literature review on international STEM doctoral students

AbstractTo date, much of the research on international science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) doctoral students has focused either on international academic mobility or on students' acculturation and adjustment challenges and coping mechanisms in foreign academic contexts. In comparison, very little attention has been paid to Asian doctoral students and their personal experiences from a life course perspective.Based on a qualitative literature review, this article sheds light on the experiences of Asian doctoral students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines within a life-course theoretical approach, paying particular attention to their agency, socialisation, and educational trajectories and transitions. The process of migration/mobility and transition between academic institutions requires a reassessment of cognitive patterns, behaviours, learning mechanisms, and the exercise of agency and response. The findings highlight how the complex dynamics between agency, socialisation, cultural norms and values, economic factors, academic performance, and institutional parameters influence the educational trajectories and transitions of Asian STEM doctoral students abroad. The result contributes to a synthesis of research findings that could inform doctoral education policy.

Exploring the experience of entry-level occupational therapy doctoral students on the use of Anatomage Table to learn anatomy - A survey

Exploring the experience of entry-level occupational therapy doctoral students on the use of Anatomage Table to learn anatomy - A survey

Balanced-integration: A dimension of supervision to support students navigating parenthood in pursuit of a PhD

This article explores the experiences of doctoral students juggling parental and professional roles. It proposes a balanced-integration approach in the reflective supervisor framework to tailor support. The research focuses on identifying challenges and evaluating the approach’s effectiveness, suggesting supervisors should serve as advocates for well-being and motivation. With the South African government’s National Development Plan aiming for a higher education sector that can produce more than 100 doctoral graduates per one million of the population by 2030, it is imperative to understand PhD student’s simultaneous identities as parents and professionals who must balance the demands of their studies, families and careers. The study advances a balanced-integration approach for supervising this demographic, with supervisors serving as advocates for the holistic well-being of these students, architects of personalised academic pathways, and catalysts for motivation inspired by family commitments. This approach adds a fifth dimension to Pearson and Kayrooz’s four factors of facilitative supervisory practice. The methodology is a descriptive quantitative study research design and a cross-sectional approach based on online surveys completed by 47 respondents from 13 South African higher education institutions and eight from abroad (n = 55).

Navigating Cultural and Academic Tides: A Systematic Literature Review On The Supervision Experiences Of International Chinese Doctoral Students In Malaysian Universities

This article embarks on a comprehensive literature review to explore the unique experiences of international Chinese doctoral students under the supervision of faculties in Malaysian universities. The study aims to identify the challenges, coping strategies, and academic dynamics encountered by these students, considering the cultural, linguistic, and educational backgrounds that influence their doctoral journey. It also seeks to understand the role of supervisors in facilitating a supportive and effective learning environment for these international students. The review synthesizes findings from existing academic papers, doctoral theses, and institutional reports, providing a multi-dimensional analysis of the supervisory relationship, adaptation processes, and academic achievements. This article contributes to the broader discourse on international education, cross-cultural supervision, and the specific needs of Chinese doctoral students abroad, offering valuable insights for academic institutions, educators, and policymakers aiming to enhance the doctoral experience for international students.

Collaboration, Socialization, and Support: Accountability Partners in an Online Doctoral Learning Environment

Non-traditional doctoral students encounter numerous challenges seeking a doctoral degree in an online learning environment. Non-traditional online doctoral students tend to be working adults who are integrating their online doctoral studies with the existing challenges of work and family. Effective online accountability partners must work within a framework of virtual mentoring competencies for online doctoral students to successfully collaborate, communicate, and learn together. The qualitative exploratory study explored the experiences of successful online doctoral students at working with accountability partners during their doctoral journey. The research question guiding the study was: How can accountability partner relationships be effective for online doctoral students when almost no face-to-face and in-person interaction takes place? The three themes emerging from the study addressed the online doctoral student's need for (1) collaboration, (2) socialization, and (3) support from their accountability partners. Study participants emphasized the many characteristics of a successful accountability partner relationship, including bidirectional support, feedback, communication, encouragement, cooperation, and collaboration. The study findings aligned with existing literature and illustrated the many challenges faced by online doctoral students that their more traditional student counterparts studying in a more traditional brick-and mortar university environment do not encounter. Numerous practical implications and recommendations resulted from this study. The researchers created the Collaboration, Socialization, and Support (CSS) framework using the thematic analysis of the coded interview results. The CSS framework is a practical model for creating and maintaining successful accountability partner relationship between online doctoral students.

Correction: Experiences of doctoral students enrolled in a research fellowship program to support doctoral training in Africa (2014 to 2018): The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa odyssey

Correction: Experiences of doctoral students enrolled in a research fellowship program to support doctoral training in Africa (2014 to 2018): The Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa odyssey

The Experience of Multilingual Doctoral Students Related to Academic Success: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

When multilingual students face the challenge of writing a doctoral capstone or dissertation, delays in academic progress may occur. The aim of this study was to identify writing challenges multilingual doctoral students face and provide recommendations regarding learner-centered resources to support timely academic success, as literature regarding multilingual students and language diversity in the doctoral environment is limited.<em> </em>A qualitative descriptive design was used for this study, and six multilingual DNP and PhD alumni participated. Data were collected using semi-structured audio interviews and analyzed using iterative content analysis.<em> </em>The findings support the need for community and culture to support language identity and doctoral writing development. Findings also support that early diagnostics of writing issues and opportunities for editorial feedback help support multilingual doctoral students.<em> </em>Findings also suggest a need for faculty and academic team development regarding the impacts of language diversity and culture on academic writing. Ultimately the goal is to help all graduate students preserve and share their identity in their writing.

Strategies Used to Overcome Challenges and Graduate from Online Doctoral Programs: An Exploratory Case Study

Aim/Purpose: This qualitative, exploratory case study aimed to explore the challenges that doctoral graduates experienced during their online programs and the strategies they used to overcome these challenges and obtain their degrees at universities in the United States. Background: About half of the students enrolled in online doctoral programs in the United States will drop out. Doctoral student attrition is costly personally, professionally, and financially, affecting students, universities, and society. Prior research identified a need to explore the experiences of online doctoral students to improve online doctoral completion rates. Methodology: A qualitative exploratory case study included questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group interview of online doctoral graduates who graduated from universities in the United States within three years of graduation. Contribution: This study contributes to the current body of academic knowledge by broadening the understanding of academic thriving and suggesting strategies that doctoral students can use to improve their experiences of thriving in their online doctoral program, thus increasing the chances of online doctoral completion. Furthermore, this study contributes to the emerging research on capturing the experiences of online doctoral students. Findings: Online doctoral graduates identified five challenges they faced during their programs, including academic and relationship challenges, doctoral program integration, financial difficulties, health challenges, and isolation. In addition, they identified six strategies that assisted them in completing their programs: mental toughness, building supportive relationships, health-promoting practices, spiritual connection, having strong reasons for graduating, and being proactive. Recommendations for Practitioners: By cultivating the components detailed in the Six-Factor Online Doctoral Success Model, which was developed from this study, online doctoral students, university administrators, and faculty can develop strategies within the online educational environment that facilitate the experience of academic thriving of online doctoral students and may increase the retention and completion rates of doctoral students within these online programs. Recommendation for Researchers: Integrate components of the Six-Factor Online Doctoral Success Model in online doctoral programs. Impact on Society: Improved online doctoral completion rates would likely meet the increasing demand for graduate-level innovators in the U.S. Professionals with terminal degrees can potentially lead to improved leadership, more innovation, and expansion of evidence-based practices used in multiple areas benefitting society at large. Also, this study provides greater insight into humans thriving in high-pressure situations. Future Research: Develop a quantitative tool to measure the components of the Six-Factor Online Doctoral Success Model presented that can be used to assess incoming online doctoral students’ levels of academic thriving to determine fit for the program and areas of strengths and weakness that can inform the online student as they progress in the program.

Enhancing the Quality of Research Synopsis of International Students Through Peer Feedback: A Case Study

The role of peer feedback in academic writing has garnered increasing attention from educators and research supervisors in recent years. Nevertheless, limited information exists about the perceptions and experiences of international doctoral students concerning the learning outcomes derived from giving and receiving feedback on research synopsis writing. This case study employs a variety of data sources, including research synopsis drafts, written peer evaluations, and semistructured interviews, to explore how 11 junior and seven senior doctoral candidates at Chinese universities benefit from receiving and providing feedback on their peers’ research synopses, respectively. Through the analysis of the interview data, four emergent themes related to student learning were generated through the exchange of peer feedback: (1) enhancing research synopsis writing awareness, (2) progressing in synopsis writing drafts, (3) improving research skills with peer feedback, and (4) fostering reflective and critical learning. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the potential educational opportunities that arise from exchanging peer evaluations in scholarly work.