ERIC Number: EJ1188614
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0737-7363
EISSN: N/A
From ABD to PhD: A Qualitative Study Examining the Benefits of a Support Group during Dissertation in an Online Doctoral Program
Denman, Paige M.; Corrales, Jill M.; Smyth, Stephanie; Craven, Katie
Journal of Continuing Higher Education, v66 n2 p106-114 2018
This qualitative case study examines the personal experiences of the authors as members of an informal support group during the dissertation phase of their doctoral process. The group consisted of four Caucasian women ranging in age from 33 to 51 years of age when the group formed. Group e-mail messages in the form of archival data taken from their electronic conversations were analyzed, and thematic analysis with constant comparison resulted in three themes emerging: motivation, attachment, and cooperation. The depth of each theme is explored, and personal stories from each author are presented. The article concludes with recommendations that colleges and universities seek ways to encourage cohort group development, both in online and traditional graduate programs.
Descriptors: Social Support Groups, Communities of Practice, Females, Graduate Students, Doctoral Programs, Electronic Mail, Student Motivation, Attachment Behavior, Cooperation, Doctoral Dissertations, Friendship
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Washington; Nebraska; North Carolina; Rhode Island
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A