1. Introduction
The Ph.D. journey is about transforming an individual's identity and about becoming an expert in a field of study via research and education. Jazvac-Martek (2009) once highlighted that from the perspective of the sociology of education, doctorate students have undergone several identity modifications throughout the learning process, and their socialized identities are distinct. Become a doctorate student, then a doctoral candidate, then an emerging scholar, and then a qualified doctor (Austin, 2002). However, the process of changing one's identity is hard, risky, and not always successful. Furthermore, first-year doctorate students will have unique values and learning goals when faced with different learning courses, study programs, and study hours than master's study stages (Hill et al., 1981). It has a long history of encouraging doctorate students, especially first-year
International Journal of Education and Pedagogy (IJEAP) eISSN: 2682-8464 | Vol. 4 No. 4 [December 2022]
Journal website: http://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ijeap
A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH OF THE SELF-STUDY-BASED DEVELOPMENT OF FIRST-YEAR DOCTORATE STUDENT
IDENTITY
Shuyang Zhang1* and Norlizah Che Hassan2*
1 2 Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, MALAYSIA
*Corresponding author:[email protected]; [email protected]
Article Information:
Article history:
Received date : 22 October 2022 Revised date : 26 October 2022 Accepted date : 28 November 2022 Published date : 7 December 2022
To cite this document:
Zhang, S., & Che Hassan, N. (2022).A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH OF THE SELF-STUDY-BASED
DEVELOPMENT OF FIRST-YEAR DOCTORATE STUDENT IDENTITY.
International Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 4(4), 17-24.
Abstract: First-year Ph.D. students are a unique and valued social symbol that serves as both a status symbol and a synonym for educational achievements. The Ph.D. journey involves both changing identities and becoming an expert in a field of study. However, the transition from master's to doctorate status is too difficult, and first-year Ph.D. students face a variety of issues, including emotions, cognition, social fitness, self-evaluation, academic expectations, and such.
Using three Ph.D. students from a Malaysian public university as a follow-up study sample, this study investigates the changes in their status after their doctoral studies, especially the first stage of their Ph.D., using a combination of qualitative and quantitative research, and gives suggestions to educational practice.
Keywords: Doctorate socialization, self-evaluation, scholarly identity, motivation, self-efficacy.
Ph.D. students, to seek self-study. Ph.D. students continue to study at a higher level, with good logical thinking abilities, rigorous reasoning skills, and better academic writing, which is a given (Roslender, 2004). This study uses 15 Ph.D. students from a Malaysian public university as a follow-up sample to explore their mentalities and growth processes at various phases of doctoral studies, and the results also serve as a reference for doctoral training.
2. Literature Review
Identity development and learning go with each other (Foot et al., 2014). Students are exposed to a variety of scientific training, academic activities, and academic culture after beginning their Ph.D.
studies, all of which will support their identity change. Additionally, the majority of doctorate students are motivated to become doctoral candidates, academics, experts, business leaders, and presidents of associated institutions in certain fields by qualities including strong motivation and self-efficacy. This is also the process via which Ph.D. students seek personal identity and value. Mcalpine and Amundsen (2009) proposed that participating in research and being a part of a field creates a good identity experience for doctorate students, and we claim that self-study is a methodical and autonomous research process that can provide such an experience.
At the same time, cognitive process is uneven because different learners change gears at various times and in different learning areas. The social setting in which the student is learning, as well as the demands of that context, impact the learner’s advancement. So, at this crucial situation, student’s self- motivation is important. Motivation is an important psychological state in education since it motivates and encourages students to study and enhance their academic performance because of the link with daily life (Kistnasamy, 2014). Motivation is vital for learning because it underpins whatever students perform, including their motivation to perform tasks that acquire knowledge. As a result, students' lack of motivation to learn was highlighted as a major educational concern (Mantzicopoulos et al., 2019).
In addition, self-study also occupies a large weight in the study of doctoral students. Although being admitted to the Ph.D. means that it is an affirmation of the individual's scientific research level and ability, the long doctoral study time and process still need to be seen (Conway et al., 2014). Self- education is a key part of professional practice, and teaching is no different. It is closely tied to practice since it begins with an analysis of current practice to change that practice to enhance the professional service provided. Because the two are intimately intertwined, self-study is seen as both a research approach and a way to continue one's professional growth (Okan & Yıldırım, 2004).
Additionally, the doctorate program's nature itself requires that its learning style be more centered on independent study than on the professors taking care of the child. In other words, Ph.D. studies place greater emphasis on critical thinking and making a difference in the world than they do on following a rigid schedule or scoring perfectly. In other words, it needs to inest more time in self-study.
Besides, the journey from Ph.d. student to Ph.D. candidate requires time, distance, and growth(Wang et al., 2021). According to the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) guidance handbook, students must finish a formal doctoral dissertation and its defense, publish many publications, and complete investigations such as oral presentations and written exams. The procedure is not simple. Additionally, one of the things to be measured is its standing in academia, as well as its degree of publication, participation in academic conferences, industrial jobs, etc (McDermott et al., 2021). First-year doctoral students can speak with senior doctoral students during their Ph.D. studies to learn more about doctoral student identification(Yilmaz, 2016).
3. Methodology
This mixed research included 5 first-year doctorate students (3 males and 2 females) ,and 5 PhD candidate (2 males and 3 females) from a Malaysian public research university as samples.
Participants were asked to complete a standard quantitative questionnaire and to participate in a 2- hour Zoom interview at the appropriate time (including 20 minutes of relaxation). Besides, the researchers selected five doctoral students who were also studying in educational psychology to discuss the topic of "doctoral studies".
Here are the interview details:
1. When you first enter the first year of your PhD, what is the part that you should learn to adapt to first? (academic, social, local life, work, etc.)
2. How to maintain a balance between school, work and life?
3. What goals were set at the first stage of the PhD? Has this goal been accomplished so far?
4. How do you maintain good relationships with your colleagues and mentors?
5. After encountering setbacks, how should I quickly adjust my mentality?
Figure 1: PhD Study Life
Besides, the ZOOM interview is done one-on-one, the process is peaceful and secure, and the participants' privacy is fully protected. The entire interview was centered on "identity" and "PhD experience," with researchers gaining additional key facts.
4. Findings
Table 1: Sample Demographics (N = 15) Items Name Gender Age Study
status Major Part-Time (PT) or Full-Time (FT)
Details
Chai Hong
King Male 26 Third
semester Business Economics Ft
Zulhairi Male 25 Third
semester Computer Science Ft
Xiao liu Female 26 Third
semester Navigation
positioning Ft
Nahar
Nasrin Male 26 Third
semester Chinese Literature Ft Siyuan Wu Female 25 Third
semester
Comprehensive design studies
Ft
Zaim Aim Male 32 Final year Interpersonal communication
Ft Sisi Li Female 30 Final year Communication
technology Ft
Zaini Male 29 Final year Computer science Ft Thurka Female 29 Final year Educational
Psychology
Ft Zhiyuan
Wu Female 47 Final year Music education Ft
Tingting wu Female 24 Second semester
Educational Psychology
Ft Kogila Male 34 Final year Educational
Psychology Ft
Mann
abdullah Male 25 Second
semester Educational
Psychology Ft
Rezaul
karim Female 30 Final year Educational
Psychology Ft
Yingying xu
Female 32 Final year Educational Psychology
Ft
The effective number is made up of 15 samples (7 males and 8 females) drawn from various faculties at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The majority of responders were between the ages of 25 and 30.
Varying samples have different study status, but they are all full-time learners.
It is important to note that the 15 samples cover a variety of majors, including computer science, educational psychology, science, engineering, and art. In other words, there is a reference value toward the sample in this mixed study.
Doctoral-Level Self-Study Plan and Process
The next generation of doctorate students should be prepared with a wide variety of competencies, including research skills and ethics, professional talents, and cultural and collaborative capacities since Ph.D. education is experiencing a "paradigm shift" in today's globalized world (Xu &
Hjalmarson, 2022).
Table 2: Sample’s Thinking About Doctoral-Level Self-Study Plan and Process
Items Details
Name Chai Hong King
Business economics is challenging for me, so before the start of the first semester of my Ph.D.
year, I taught myself key courses like "Business Fundamentals," "Market Economy," and others.
In addition, I read a lot of literature, which helps me unwind and makes me appear less stressed.
Zulhairi After working for two years, I began applying for a Ph.D., maybe because of my job experience, that is, I had expert knowledge in professional practice, which made it simpler for me to study various professional courses. In our computer fundamentals course, for example, the professor asked us to point out various computer parts, and I was able to respond swiftly.
Thurka I have the same master's and doctoral degrees, I attended the same university, and this major has taught me a lot. In truth, I did not prepare on purpose; instead, focusing on scientific research is usual.
Zhiyuan
Wu I have great learning and time management skills, and I also gave birth to a kid in the third year of my Ph.D., who is now one year old. I am strongly in favor of preparing for the first year of my Ph.D., which helps individuals with PhD-level research.
All four participants were to share their experiences and perspectives on the doctoral-level self-study plan and process. It is worth noting that all of the examples have had the appropriate experience preparation before studying for the doctorate, which can be either academic or job experience.
Table 2: Sample’s Thinking About Cognitive Process
Items Details
Name
Xiao Liu I was pleased about my first year of a Ph.D. program and believed I was doing well. But now I feel that what my Ph.D. supervisor stated was also beneficial to me.
Nahar
Nasrin Though I think I'm learning a lot more, sometimes I still run against issues that make me want to stop studying. Perhaps that is the main focus of a Ph.D. student.
Rezaul
karim I believe that studies that are found are more likely to promote creativity in a single field than in others. It's also because of this that I have a better grasp of my line of work and am more aware of my weaknesses, particularly in terms of communication technology.
Zaini Stay hungry, stay foolish
All participants agreed that studying for a Ph.D. is a gradual process of self-knowledge; the more books you read, the more you become aware of your shortcomings.
Table 3: Sample’s Thinking About Facing Setbacks
Items Details
Name Zulhairi My present key obstacle is figuring out how to finish all the credits while maintaining every A grade.
Thurka Being rejected is something that confuses me, but I won't give up.
Zhiyuan
Wu I was still unsure about my capacity to pass the thesis defense as a Ph.D. candidate.
Samples are provided with the various setbacks they experience to gather input on setbacks. For instance, first-year doctoral students are more concerned about their grades, which is more in line with the identity of the master's to doctoral level. Other examples include minor repairs or major repairs, rejection of manuscripts in peer review, the pressure of the graduation thesis defense, etc.
Table 4: Sample’s Thinking About Future Position
Items Details
Name
Siyuan Wu I would be better off staying with the company, especially in the corporate R&D position.
Zaini I'm going to start a company
Thurka I plan to apply for a postdoctoral position at UPM and anticipate staying there forever.
Based on their individual professional experiences, different Ph.D. candidates or students choose various careers in the future.
Table 5: Sample’s Thinking About First Year of Ph.D in Educational Psychology
Items Details
Name
Tingting wu It is very important to read literature and attend classes, research methods courses, statistics courses should be studied well
Kogila I am preparing to apply for a PhD and I plan to continue my studies in educational psychology. For me, I felt lost and frustrated in my first year of PhD, I didn't know what I needed to do in my Ph.D. years, and now I'm determined. In general, if you want to go to the company, you have to actively deal with HR; If you want to stay in school, you need to be academically prepared
Mann abdullah
I think there are many directions that educational psychology can choose from, such as motivation, attribution theory, eye movement psychology, self-efficacy, etc., and I chose learning motivation
Rezaul
karim To monetize your expertise, it's a complex process, but it's also a process of proving yourself. Our profession is dedicated to serving educators, parents, etc., and we can also go to be teachers
Yingying xu Write more manuscripts, post more articles, and experience this painful and sweet process
Based on the above information, each sample expressed its opinion on the profession. In addition, it is worth mentioning that some senior doctoral students make suggestions to first-year doctoral students based on their own doctoral learning process.
5. Discussion and Conclusion
To begin serving society as expert researchers and educators, PhD candidates need complete their doctoral program. PhD students that get development support may be able to complete their doctoral programs and enhance their identity agency(Sverdlik et al., 2018). It is crucial to underline the essence of identity while studying PhD students' identity development: what or who individuals believe about themselves (Evans, 2014).However, we must recognize that the rationale for obtaining a doctorate is not simple, and it requires us to overcome some challenges, such as article publication; innovation in scientific research; relationships between individuals and colleagues, friends, and so on; learning and life balance, and so on..Doctoral students' learning journey is colorful, and it is also a process of self- searching, self-learning, and self-realization for individuals.
6. Limitations
Researchers were unable to send offline questionnaires due to COVID-19 limitations.
7. Declaration of Interest Statement There is no conflict interest
8. Funding
There is no funding support
9. Acknowledgement
Thank you to Norlizah Binti Che Hassan, my Ph.D. supervisor, for her guidance and encouragement during my first-year Ph.D. studies. I am grateful to the participants in this research, who impressed me with their patience and trust. Furthermore, I'd like to thank the reviewers and editors, especially the journals under the guidance of Dr Safaie and it’s rigor and patience to the manuscript. Finally, I'd want to express my gratitude to my university, the faculty of educational studies at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
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