Telling stories: a thematic narrative analysis of eight women's PhD experiences

This research examined eight women’s stories about their PhD experiences to explore their lived experience of this journey and if gender was a consideration in their PhD journey. The aims of this thesis were firstly, to provide a more in-depth understanding of women’s decisions to participate in doctoral education; and secondly, to provide a more in-depth understanding of women’s experiences in undertaking doctoral degrees and the factors that increase their chances of successful completion. Using thematic narrative analysis, the study found that motivation to do a PhD is multi-faceted. In some instances the motivations were complementary, such as a personal interest in the topic and/or the discipline and wanting to begin or build an academic career. In some cases they were incongruent – being awarded a prestigious scholarship was motivation for one woman to start her degree, but the departmental pressure and expectations that went along with it were de-motivating.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Victoria University

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Birch, Lesley Jane

• School of Communication and the Arts
• 1301 Education Systems
• 1399 Other Education

Language dc:language

en