Identifying the guiding approaches of doctoral dissertations and examining the current and desirable situation from the perspective of Isfahan University students

Thesis and dissertation is one of the most important components of the higher education system and its accurate implementation leads to the increase and development of scientific production in any country. The doctoral dissertation can be examined from various aspects, one of which is to pay attention to the guidance approach and do it. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the approaches to doctoral dissertation guidance and its study among students in the current and favorable situation at the University of Isfahan, as one of the parent universities in Iran. The research method is hybrid and exploratory. In the qualitative section, research data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 27 managers, deputies and faculty members. In the quantitative part of the researcher-made questionnaire, among 97 PhD students who are writing their dissertations, it was administered in three educational groups: humanities, technical-engineering and basic sciences. The sampling method is targeted in the qualitative part and in the quantitative part the stratified random method proportional to the volume is used. The validity of the research tool was assessed with the opinion of experts and CVR validity analysis was performed. Findings showed that in dissertation guidance, there are a total of two individual and group approaches, each of which is implemented in three ways. Individual approaches: 1- Student with a supervisor and consultant; 2- Student with more than one supervisor and consultant; 3- Forming the dissertation committee. Group approaches also include: 1- Research groups including: research group of two or more professors and research clusters; 2- Research laboratory; 3- Master-centered research pyramid and research pyramid of the educational group. Analysis of the results in the quantitative section showed that the individual approach is more widely used and is also favored by students. The biggest difference between the current and favorable situation regarding membership in pyramid research groups, which indicates the tendencies of students towards the group approach. The results of analysis of variance and post hoc tests also show a significant difference between the humanities and engineering groups with the basic sciences in terms of individual approaches to the current and desired situation. One of the research suggestions is to provide the necessary infrastructure by university officials to apply group approaches in universities.