Students’ Perceptions of Doctoral Defense in Relation to Sociodemographic Characteristics

The doctoral defense is considered to have three dimensions: the scholarly dimension, emotional (affective) and cultural dimension. In this work, I explore link between sociodemographic factors students’ perception of better understand affective particular, focus on gender, ethnicity, age at time defense, as well current position field study. To address influence these aspects dimension first reviewed literature defense. then carried out an international survey defenses, formats, perceptions analyzed 204 completed surveys for study using quantitative qualitative methods. analysis included cross-correlations studied aspects. main results analyses are that gender affects various long-term perception, female candidates experience more issues with their committee. Ethnicity important well, although participation non-white respondents in was limited. limited, only youngest oldest groups did observe some differences perception. There no relation during Finally, correlated student committee issues, conclusion work aspects, particular study, how