Research group experiences and intent to complete
Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education
ISSN: 2398-4686
Article publication date: 13 November 2017
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to better understand the nature of graduate training experiences in research groups and to identify factors that may lead to increased student retention and success.
Design/methodology/approach
Surveys administered at four US universities resulted in quantitative responses from 130 Master’s and 702 doctoral engineering students participating in graduate research groups. Missing data were imputed, and responses were weighted by gender, discipline, degree program and nationality. Exploratory factor analysis identified four factors describing research group experiences. Regression models were built for two outcomes: satisfaction with research group experience and intention to complete degree. Control variables included gender, discipline, degree program, nationality, year in program and institution.
Findings
Fifty-five per cent of the variance in satisfaction was described by a model including agency, support, international diversity and group climate. Sixty-five per cent of variance in intent to complete was described by a model comprising international diversity, agency and support. Several control variables were significant.
Originality/value
Agency and support in particular were the most influential predictors of both satisfaction and intention, suggesting that future efforts should emphasize stable funding, clear expectations, access to mentors and agency-building experiences to help students take an active role in their own success.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Survey development and data collection was funded by the US National Science Foundation through grant number EEC-0934643. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. The authors also wish to thank anonymous administrators, participants and peer reviewers for their time; Erin Crede for collaboration in developing and administering the survey; Andrea Ogilvie for weighting and imputing data; and Anita Patrick for literature search assistance.
Citation
Borrego, M., Knight, D.B. and Choe, N.H. (2017), "Research group experiences and intent to complete", Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 109-127. https://doi.org/10.1108/SGPE-D-17-00009
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited