Based on evidence from a survey of 816 completers and noncompleters of doctoral degree programs and on interviews with noncompleters, high- and low-Ph.D. productive faculty, and directors of graduate study, this book locates the root cause of attrition in doctoral study and the cultural organization of graduate education. The chapters are: (1) "The Invisible Problem"; (2) "Explaining the High and Persistent Rate of Attrition"; (3) "Explaining Departure"; (4) "The Lack of Information"; (5) "The Absence of Community"; (6) "Disappointment with the Learning Experience"; (7) "The Quality of the Adviser-Advisee Relationship"; (8) "The Decision To Leave"; (9) "Personal Consequences of Departure"; (10) "Labor Market Consequences of Departure"; and (11) "Conclusions and Recommendations." An appendix discusses "Most and Least Successful Adviser-Advisee Relationships from the Point of View of the Faculty." (Contains 9 figures, 36 tables, and 190 references.) (SLD)