Understanding and Exploring the Relationship Between Research Work and Career Outcomes for Science Graduate Students

• In Event: 15.037 - Careers in the Academy: Exploring Job Prospects

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between daily graduate research work experiences and career outcomes/outlooks. This mixed-methods study examines the experiences of nine Canadian science doctoral students at two institutions over four years. Narrative analysis of data including logs and interviews resulted in three case-groupings related to career outcomes/outlooks: positive outcome, positive outlook, and uncertain outlook. Quantitative analysis of the logs identified three metrics which related to these outcomes/outlooks: number of publications per year, percentage of logs reporting research difficulties, and percentage of times supervisory help was received when needed. The relationship between these metrics and the case-groupings were then explored thematically to explore underlying causes and relationships.

Authors

• Gregory Hum, University of Toronto

• Cheryl L. Amundsen, Simon Fraser University