How to win friends and influence people: the value of the cohort in a doctoral research training programme

Date

2009

Advisors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

ISSN

DOI

Volume Title

Publisher

Nottingham Jubilee Press

Type

Article

Peer reviewed

Yes

Abstract

This article is not about retention and attrition rates, or about successful outcomes, or about supervision, even though these are at the nub of most research on the doctoral experience. This article concerns the experiences of doctoral students undertaking educational research methods training, as opposed to the experiences of the PhD itself. The specific phenomenon identified in this small group study is the value of peer interaction within the cohort. Three strands of this relationship, namely peer support, cultural mix and bonding/ad-hoc social gatherings have been investigated. Our findings illustrate the importance and unexpected value of the ‘cohort’ on the participants in this study as they journey towards academia.

Description

open access article

Keywords

experiences of doctoral students, PhD experiences, Peer interaction, PhD cohort

Citation

Hinsliff-Smith, K., Keane, J., Whiteoak, D., and Hawker, I. (2009) How to win friends and influence people: the value of the cohort in a doctoral research training programme. Nottingham Jubilee Press.

Rights

Research Institute