Factors influencing on successful completion of Doctor of Philosophy: Experience and perspectives from international PhD candidates.

Education/management.

The doctoral experience is complicated and complex, and while the accomplishment and well-being of doctoral students are progressively investigated in research into higher education, there is still much to explore and learn on this subject. This study presents the results of a qualitative analysis from a renowned university's past and present international doctoral female candidates' perspectives on factors affecting doctoral advancement. This research was carried out to explore the enablers and obstacles to timely progression and how do PhD students overcome those challenges. This study used interview and personal reflection as methods of data collection. Using a qualitative software, NVivo (12), the data obtained was analysed through thematic process presented by Clarke and Braun, (2013). Collected data that drew out information on themes, categories and code that characterized the kind of support (enablers) and difficulties encountered by students in their studies. From the thematic analysis of the interview and reflective journal, six key themes emerged, which are the role of the motivation for higher education, internal and external enablers, internal and external barriers, strategies for overcoming the barriers that deliver a holistic image of students’ perceptions on the factors that affect PhD advancement. The results are presented with the support of tables, figures and other narrations. The role of supervisors is often emphasised as a promoting factor in the advancement of PhD. Another major factor was financial support. In facilitating development, facilities were not critical considerations, but were part of overall satisfaction. Other references in terms of time commitments, motivations and social emotional capital required to pursue a higher study. Although some people find the PhD journey easy, some find not easy, in various phases of the PhD, different combinations of obstacles, enablers and success factors will work together to help them achieve the goal of successfully completing the degree.

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