Potential predictors of timely completion among dissertation research students at an Australian faculty of sciences

Jiranek, Vladimir (2010) Potential predictors of timely completion among dissertation research students at an Australian faculty of sciences. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 5, 1-13. (doi:10.28945/709).

Abstract

Successful and timely completion by Dissertation Research (DR) students (i.e. research Masters and PhD) is increasingly important for students, supervisors, the university, and funding bodies alike. Previous studies highlight the importance of contributing factors, which can be classified according to their relating to the student, the supervisory arrangement, or the research infrastructure. However, the relative importance of specific factors for individual students can vary markedly across studies. In recognition of this fact, a survey of DR student completion rates and candidature duration within an Australian Faculty of Sciences (i.e. the author's home institution and broad field of research activity) was conducted. Available information was extracted for a 10-year window (1996-2006) from faculty-level and university-level databases and included data relating to demographics, field of study, attendance mode, scholarships held, and duration of candidature for up to 1688 students. The results suggest an attrition rate of 33% with shorter completion times being seen within the School of Chemistry & Physics and among male and/or international students with scholarships. Possible predictors of HRD student success are considered, thereby beginning to provide a framework within which to develop practices to increase retention and completion rates in other areas of the faculty.

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Contributors

Author: Vladimir Jiranek

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