Report 2008:23 R

Survey of doctoral students

There are an equal number of men and women enrolled in doctoral studies programmes. The average age of doctoral students is thirty-three. About 50% of doctoral students can be found in Medicine and Technological Sciences and 33% in the Social Sciences and Natural Sciences. The most common type of doctoral thesis is a compilation thesis and 80% of these are written in English.

80% of doctoral students stated that their programme is ‘good´ or ‘very good´. The percentage is higher among doctoral students at doctoral schools and international doctoral students and lower for doctoral students at higher education institutions without the right to award their own doctoral degrees.

Despite some improvement since the previous survey in 2003, the induction to doctoral studies still does not work satisfactorily. Fewer women than men are satisfied with their induction.

The responses about professional development are very similar to 2003. Doctoral students are able to conduct independent research, and to a lesser degree acquire skills in research theories and methods the further through the doctoral programme they are. However, some doctoral students feel they have not acquired the required skills in theory and methods even at the end of their programmes. More than half of the doctoral student state that they have acquired deeper insight into research ethics to a small degree/very small degree/not at all.

Although supervision works well for the majority of doctoral students, a small but not negligible per cent feel that their supervisors do not show sufficient interest in their studies, provide constructive feedback or discuss relevant theories and methods. This gives the impression that many doctoral students do not have a working dialogue with their supervisors. 30% feel that they have been in a compromising position in relation to their supervisors and almost 40% that they have not been received enough supervision. There are no changes in the responses from the 2003 survey.
 
Although many doctoral students are satisfied with the courses on offer, almost half said that the range of courses does not fulfil their requirements and a third that they are not relevant for work with their thesis.
 
With regard to reflection and evaluation, the responses are almost identical with the 2003 survey. The variation in responses is largely dependent on subject area. Many doctoral students feel that their programme provides an opportunity to consider their own values, about one third feel that their programmes have increased their interest in social developments, their understanding of gender issues and appreciation of diverse social backgrounds.

The responses with regard to study environment are virtually identical with the results from 2003. The majority of doctoral students consider their programmes to be positive and stimulating. However, over half feel the environment at their department is less creative and two out of three feel they have no means of influencing matters.

Approximately 30% of doctoral students, particularly international students, are worried about gaining employment on completing their doctorates. This is an increase from 25% in 2003.
 
25% of female and 6% of male doctoral students have experienced discrimination on the basis of gender by other doctoral students, and/or teaching staff, and/or their supervisor, and/or administrative staff.

The results of the survey are available to all interested parties.