This presentation is intended to describe a research project that aims to examine the preparedness and preconceptions of potential online doctoral students by offering a free web application, the Dr. App, that will track students’ responses to reflective questions about their readiness for doctoral studies. The system is being designed to collect user demographics, activity patterns and question responses but will only export reports on consenting participants. The project will also involve interviews with potential students. This project is intended to develop the basis for a longitudinal study of learner readiness, preparation, completion rates and time-to-completion of project participants.
“Attrition from doctoral programs can be a serious issue in terms of human and national investment and research capacity building in contemporary economies” (Kiley & Wisker, 2009). Studies on full time doctoral students in Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and the United States have revealed that between 30 to 70 percent complete their degrees within a 10-year period (Canadian Association for Graduate Studies, 2004; Bourke, Holbrook, Lovat, & Farley, 2004; Higher Education Funding Council for England, 2007; Council of Graduate Schools in the United States, 2008). These statistics, however, only account for those who graduate. Elgar’s (2003) completion statistics indicate that only 50 percent of doctoral students actually graduate at all. The Dr. App is aimed at assisting potential doctoral students to examine their current life situations, their academic backgrounds and the demands of their professional positions in order to effectively strategize, get their finances in order and develop support networks.
Of Interest to: Online and distance education, Post-secondary education, Researchers, Administrators
