Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.This study, designed to asses the quality of postgraduate education, has three parts: a survey of full-time research students; a survey of advanced course students and a survey of part-time graduate students.
Main Topics:
Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions The quality of the postgraduate education being received is assessed: indicators include method by which degree is sought; amount of formal training being received (courses, seminars, supervisor aid); whether or not present work is part of larger project; and amount of perceived freedom the respondent had to choose topic/area; access to resource materials and persons, including supervisor and other staff members. Consideration is given to behavioural indicators of isolation. Linkage to the immediate environment is assessed by use of indicators of intensity of social contacts with supervisors and peers, and by membership in voluntary organisations (information therefore available on hobbies, cultural interests, participation in formal religion) by assessing formal university duties such as demonstrating and teaching. Educational history includes: whether eleven-plus was taken, type, class and place of first and subsequent degrees, reasons for any gaps in educational process, interim occupations, reasons for choice of postgraduate institution, and motivation for continuation of studies (ie. amount and type of 'sponsorship' from faculty). Financial information includes: type, value and source of support; spouse's income; ownership of large consumer goods; rent expenditure and amount spent on books and cigarettes. Background Variables Nationality; religion; parents' occupations; marital status (spouse's characteristics have been obtained, as well as length of marriage, whether respondent was a student at time of marriage, place of meeting spouse, whether there are children and, if so, whether they were planned, and whether respondent sees marriage as a benefit or detriment to work).
Simple random sample
constant interval from lists of students
Face-to-face interview
