Abstract
This qualitative evaluative study is based on semi-structured interviews with two Sudanese professor supervisors and three Ph.D. candidates who have recently completed their Ph.D. study in linguistics and English language-related studies at the Graduate College, University of Khartoum, Sudan. The study explored and evaluated the problems and challenges Ph.D. candidates encountered during their candidature from the perspectives of both supervisors and candidates themselves: How do these challenges impact on their study? How do they cope with these challenges? How can these challenges be overcome? The study provided new insights into doctoral education in Sudan, specifically in the University of Khartoum. The study adopted a qualitative methodology with semi-structured face-to-face interviews being the principal method of data collection along with the collection of some institutional documents, some of which are being used during interviews in a discourse-based format. Five tape-recorded interviews were conducted with both candidates and supervisors. Interview data were coded and analyzed inductively. Results of data analysis revealed that there were many problems and challenges doctoral students experienced throughout their Ph.D. candidature, such as supervision-related challenges, resources-related and organizational challenges. In addition, there were a number of strategies candidates reportedly used to deal with these challenges and both candidates and supervisors reportedly held varied perceptions about what makes a good quality Ph.D.. The study recommendations, implications along with its limitations and suggestions for further research were presented and discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsNotes
- 1.
Arabicisation is the use of Arabic as a sole medium of instruction in the higher education intuitions. The policies were introduced in the 1970s but practically came into effect in the 1990s.
References
Ayiro, L. P., & Sang, J. K. (2011). The awards of the PhD in Kenyan universities: A quality assurance perspective. Quality in Higher Education, 17(2), 163–178. doi:10.1080/13538322.2011.582794
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
Brydon, K., & Fleming, J. (2011). The journey around my PhD: Pitfalls, insights and diamonds. Social Work Education: The International Journal, 30(8), 995–1011.
Coffey, A., & Atkinson, P. (1996). Making sense of qualitative data. London: Sage Publications.
Denicolo, P. (2003). Assessing the PhD: A constructive view of criteria. Quality Assurance in Education, 11(2), 84–91. doi:10.1108/09684880310471506
Dörnyei, Z. (2007). Research methods in applied linguistics: Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Dysthe, O., Samara, A., & Westrheim, K. (2006). Multivoiced supervision of master’s students: A case study of alternative supervision practices in higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 31(3), 299–318.
Edwards, B. (2002). Postgraduate supervision: Is having a PhD enough? In paper presented to the Australian Association for research in Education Conference. Australia: Brisbane.
Fergie, G., Beek, S., McKenna, C., & Creme, P. (2011). It’s a lonely walk: Supporting postgraduate research through writing. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher education, 23(2), 236–245, available online at http://www.isetl.org/ijtlhe/
Gulbrandsen, J. M. (2000). Research quality and organisational factors. An investigation of the relationship. Trondheim: Department of industrial economics and technology management. Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Gunnarsson, R., Jonasson, G., & Billhult, A. (2013). The experience of disagreement between students and supervisors in PhD education: A qualitative study. BMC Medical Education, 13(134), 1–8. Available on http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6920/13/134
Halse, C., & Malfroy, J. (2010). Retheorizing doctoral supervision as professional work. Studies in Higher Education, 35(1), 79–92.
Hasrati, M. (2005). Legitimate peripheral participation and supervising PhD students. Studies in Higher Education, 30(5), 557–570.
Heath, T. (2002). A quantitative analysis of PhD students’ views of supervision. Higher Education Research & Development, 21(1), 41–53. doi:10.1080/07294360220124648.
Hockey, J. (1996). A contractual solution to problems in the supervision of PhD degrees in the UK. Studies in Higher Education, 21(3), 359–371. Available on doi: 10.1080/03075079612331381271
Hockey, J. (1994). Establishing boundaries: Problems and solutions in managing the PhD supervisor’s role. Cambridge Journal of Education, 24(2), 293–305.
Krase, E. (2007). May be the communication between us was not enough: Inside a dysfunctional advisor/L2 advisee relationship. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 6(1), 55–70.
Kvale, S. (1996). Interviews: An introduction to qualitative research interviewing. London: Sage.
Kyvik, S., & Thune, T. (2014). Assessing the quality of PhD dissertations: A survey of external committee members. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 40(5), 768–782. doi:10.1080/02602938.2014.956283
Lee, A. (2008). How are doctoral students supervised? Concepts of doctoral research supervision. Studies in Higher Education, 33(3), 267–281.
Lillis, T. M. (2001). Student writing: Access, regulation, desire. London: Routledge.
Löfström, E., & Pyhältö, K. (2014). Ethical issues in doctoral supervision: The perspectives of PhD students in the natural and behavioral sciences. Ethics & Behaviour, 24(3), 195–214. Available on doi:10.1080/10508422.20133.830574
Mahmood, S. T. (2011). Factors affecting the quality of research in education: Student’s perceptions. Journal of Education & Practice, 2(11), 34–40. Available on www. iiste.org.
Mackinnon, J. (2004). Academic supervision: Seeking metaphors and models for quality. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 28(4), 397–405.
Manathunga, C., & Lant, P. (2006). How do we ensure good PhD student outcomes? Education for Chemical Engineers, 1(72), 72–81. doi:10.1205/ece.05003
Mason, J. (2002). Qualitative researching (2nd ed.). London: Sage.
Marsh, H. W., Rowe, K. J., & Martin, A. (2002). PhD students’ evaluations of research supervision: Issues, complexities, and challenges in a nationwide Australian experiment in benchmarking universities. The Journal of Higher Education, 73(3), 313–348. Available on http://www.org/stable/1558460
McCarthy, G., Hegarty, J., Savage, E., & Fitzpatrick, J. (2010). PhD away days: A component of PhD supervision. International Nursing Review, 57(4), 415–418. Available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1466-7657.2010.00828.x/full
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. London: Sage Publications.
Morley, L., Leonard, D., & David, M. (2003). Quality and equality in British PhD assessment. Quality Assurance in Education, 11(2), 64–72. doi:10.1108/09684880310471489
Mullins, G., & Kiley, M. (2002). It’s a PhD, not a Nobel Prize: How experienced examiners assess research theses. Studies in Higher Education, 27(4), 369–386.
Odell, L., Goswami, D., & Herrington, A. (1983). The discourse-based interview: A procedure for exploring the tacit knowledge of writers in nonacademic settings. In P. Mosenthal, L. Tamor, & S. A. Walmsley (Eds.), Research on writing: Principles and methods. (pp. 221–236). New York, NY: Longman.
Pyhältö, K., Toom, A., Stubb, J., & Lonka, K. (2012). Challenges of becoming a scholar: A study of doctoral students’ problems and well-being. International Scholarly Research Network, 1–12. Doi:1.5402/2012/934941.
Watts, J. H. (2009). From professional to PhD student: Challenges of status transition. Teaching in Higher Education, 14(6), 687–691. Available on doi:10.1080/13562510903315357
Winter, R., Griffiths, M., & Green, K. (2000). The academic qualities of practice: What are the criteria for a practice-based PhD? Studies in Higher Education, 25(1), 25–37.
Zeegers, M. & Barron, D. (2012). Pedagogical concerns in doctoral supervision: A challenge for pedagogy. Quality Assurance in Education, 20(1), 20–30. Available on doi:10.1108/09684881211198211
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Alhassan, A., Ali, H.I.H. (2017). An Evaluation of the Challenges of Sudanese Linguistics and English Language-Related Studies’ Ph.D. Candidates: An Exploratory Qualitative Study. In: Hidri, S., Coombe, C. (eds) Evaluation in Foreign Language Education in the Middle East and North Africa. Second Language Learning and Teaching. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43234-2_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43234-2_15
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-43233-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-43234-2
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)