Induction to PhD Studies: A short study of the current situation of PhD students

Abstract

It is undeniable that research students require appropriate training during their studies. Such training should start the first weeks and months of their graduate education as a form of induction. However, according to a previous study, at LTH students feel that they have not been particularly welcomed or introduced when they started their studies. In order to understand which areas PhD students are insufficiently well informed about, and which they consider important, a survey was sent to students in four departments. Of the 106 students
who received the survey 57 (54%) responded. The main conclusion is that, in general, students fell under-informed regarding topics that they consider very important. The most critical points are a shortage of information about research resources, funding options, teaching responsibilities, and career options. Another important observation is that the students expect the supervisor, or someone directly appointed by them, to provide most of the information, except for those topics related to their social lives. This study concludes with
a checklist (recommendations) that can be used as a starting point for the introduction of students to their PhD studies, and can be of great use for both the supervisor and the student.