Psychological Science and Education
2024. Vol. 29, no. 4, 5–15
doi:10.17759/pse.2024290401
ISSN: 1814-2052 / 2311-7273 (online)
What Determines Satisfaction with Graduate School and Intentions to Complete it Among Modern PhD Students?
Abstract
The article focuses on the role of motivational factors in the successful completion and satisfaction with postgraduate programs. PhD students (N=155, M=26,8, SD=4,2, 63% women) participated in the study. The theoretical framework is based on self-determination theory, which provides an understanding of the sources of autonomous and controlled motivation for research activity. A battery of questionnaires was used to assess autonomous and controlled motivation for postgraduate programs (the Universal Perceived Locus of Causality scales, UPLOC, and the Doctorate-related Need Satisfaction Scale, D-N2S), publication activity, intentions to complete the postgraduate program, and satisfaction with it. The results of the study demonstrated that autonomy need satisfaction was a predictor of autonomous motivation and satisfaction with the postgraduate program, whereas competence and relatedness needs satisfaction were predictors of intentions to complete the postgraduate program. Path models also showed that autonomy need satisfaction is a predictor of low levels of controlled motivation, which in turn is a negative predictor of intentions to complete the postgraduate program and satisfaction with it. It is concluded that it is important to study and monitor motivational factors, considering their predictive power in relation to PhD students' performance. Recommendations are offered to supervisors and faculty to support PhD students' basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness to foster their voluntary engagement and success in the research process.
General Information
Keywords: motivation, PhD students, self-determination theory, basic psychological needs, program satisfaction, intention to complete program
Journal rubric: Developmental Psychology
Article type: scientific article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/pse.2024290401
Funding. The article was prepared within the framework of the HSE University Basic Research Program
Received: 13.11.2023
Accepted:
For citation: Marchuk L.A., Gordeeva T.O. What Determines Satisfaction with Graduate School and Intentions to Complete it Among Modern PhD Students?. Psikhologicheskaya nauka i obrazovanie = Psychological Science and Education, 2024. Vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 5–15. DOI: 10.17759/pse.2024290401. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)
References
- Bekova S.K. [et al.]. Portret sovremennogo rossijskogo aspiranta. Sovremennaja analitika obrazovanija [A Portrait of the Modern Russian PhD Student]. No. 7(15). Moscow: HSE, 2017. 60 p. (In Russ.).
- Vlasova V.V., Gohberg L.M., Ditkovskij K.A. Rossijskaja nauka v cifrah: 2023 [Russian Science and Technology in Figures: 2023]. Moscow: HSE, 2023. 48 p. DOI:10.17323/978-5-7598-2768-9 (In Russ.).
- Osin E.N., Leont'ev D.A. Kratkie russkojazychnye shkaly diagnostiki sub'ektivnogo blagopoluchija: psihometricheskie harakteristiki i sravnitel'nyj analiz [Brief Russian-Language Instruments to Measure Subjective Well-Being: Psychometric Properties and Comparative Analysis]. Monitoring obshhestvennogo mnenija: Jekonomicheskie i social'nye peremeny = Monitoring of Public Opinion: Economic and Social Changes, 2020, no. 1, pp. 117–142. DOI:10.14515/monitoring.2020.1.06 (In Russ.).
- Sobkin V.S., Smyslova M.M., Adamchuk D.V. Aspirant v sfere obrazovanija: k voprosu o zhiznennyh strahah (po materialam obsledovanija). Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Serija 14. Psihologija, 2021, no. 3, pp. 218–238. DOI:10.11621/vsp.2021.03.11
- Terent'ev E.A., Rybakov N., Bednyj B. Zachem segodnja idut v aspiranturu. Tipologizacija motivov rossijskih aspirantov [Why Embark on a PhD Today? A Typology Of Motives for Doctoral Study in Russia]. Voprosy obrazovanija = Educational Studies, 2020, no. 1, pp. 40–69. DOI:10.17323/1814-9545-2020-1-40-69 (In Russ.).
- Sheldon K.M. [et al.]. Razrabotka universal'noj shkaly tipov motivacionnoj reguljacii (UPLOC) [Development of a universal type of motivational regulation scale (UPLOC)]. Sovremennaja psihodiagnostika Rossii. Preodolenie krizisa [Modern psychodiagnostics in Russia. Overcoming the crisis: Sbornik materialov III Vserossijskoj konferencii po psihologicheskoj diagnostike 2015. (V 2 t. T. 1)]. P. 336–343. (In Russ.).
- Bozkurt V. [et al.]. Perceptions of Doctoral Students: Satisfaction, Difficulties, Gained Skills and Performance in Publishing in Academic Journals. Yuksekogretim Dergisi, 2021, no. 2Pt1 (11), pp. 263–275. DOI:10.2399/yod.20.516442
- De Clercq M. [et al.]. All You Need is Self-Determination: Investigation of PhD Students’ Motivation Profiles and Their Impact on the Doctoral Completion Process. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 2021, no. 16, pp. 189–209. DOI:10.28945/4702
- Feizi S., Elgar F. Satisfaction, research productivity, and socialization in doctoral students: Do teaching assistantship, research assistantship and the advisory relationship play a role? Heliyon, 2023, no. 9(9), pp. 1–9. DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19332
- Hooper D., Coughlan J., Mullen M.R. Structural Equation Modelling: Guidelines for Determining Model Fit. The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 2008, no. 1(6), pp. 53–60. DOI:10.21427/D7CF7R
- Howard J.L. [и др.]. Student Motivation and Associated Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis From Self-Determination Theory // Perspectives on Psychological Science. 2021. № 6(16). C. 1300–1323. DOI:10.1177/1745691620966789
- Litalien D. [et al.]. PhD Students’ Motivation Profiles: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective, 2023.
- Litalien D., Guay F. Dropout intentions in PhD studies: A comprehensive model based on interpersonal relationships and motivational resources. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 2015, no. 41, pp. 218–231. DOI:10.1016/j.cedpsych.2015.03.004
- Litalien D., Guay F., Morin A.J.S. Motivation for PhD studies: Scale development and validation. Learning and Individual Differences, 2015, no. 41, pp. 1–13. DOI:10.1016/j.lindif.2015.05.006
- Lynch M., Salikhova N., Salikhova A. Internal Motivation among Doctoral Students: Contributions from the Student and from the Student’s Environment. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 2018, no. 13, pp. 255–272. DOI:10.28945/4091
- McCulloch A. [et al.]. Choosing to study for a PhD: A framework for examining decisions to become a research student. Higher Education Review, 2017. Vol. 49, no. 17, pp. 85–106.
- Ryan R.M., Deci E.L. Self-determination theory: basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness / R.M. Ryan, E.L. Deci, New York: Guilford Press, 2017. 756 p. DOI:10.1521/978.14625/28806
- Shin J.C. [и др.]. Doctoral students’ satisfaction in a research-focused Korean university: socio-environmental and motivational factors. Asia Pacific Education Review, 2018, no. 2(19), pp. 159–168. DOI:10.1007/s12564-018-9528-7
- Shin M., Goodboy A.K., Bolkan S. Profiles of doctoral students’ self-determination: susceptibilities to burnout and dissent. Communication Education, 2022, no. 2(71), pp. 83–107. DOI:10.1080/03634523.2021.2001836
- Sverdlik A. [et al.]. The PhD Experience: A Review of the Factors Influencing Doctoral Students’ Completion, Achievement, and Well-Being. International Journal of Doctoral Studies, 2018, no. 13, pp. 361–388. DOI:10.28945/4113
- Sverdlik A., Hall N.C. Not just a phase: Exploring the role of program stage on well-being and motivation in doctoral students. Journal of Adult and Continuing Education, 2020, no. 1(26), pp. 97–124. DOI:10.1177/1477971419842887
- Van der Linden N. [et al.]. Gaining insight into doctoral persistence: Development and validation of Doctorate-related Need Support and Need Satisfaction short scales. Learning and Individual Differences, 2018, no. 65, pp. 100–111. DOI:10.1016/j.lindif.2018.03.008
- Vansteenkiste M., Ryan R.M., Soenens B. Basic psychological need theory: Advancements, critical themes, and future directions. Motivation and Emotion, 2020, no. 1(44), pp. 1–31. DOI:10.1007/s11031-019-09818-1
Information About the Authors
Metrics
Views
Total: 17
Previous month: 0
Current month: 17
Downloads
Total: 5
Previous month: 0
Current month: 5