Ph. D Completion in a Low-Income Country like Pakistan: An Exploration into the Difficulties and Challenges faced by Ph. D Scholars

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the challenges encountered by Ph.D. scholars in completing their doctoral studies within the constraints of a low-income country, such as Pakistan. A purposive sampling method was used to select 16 Ph.D. scholars from the social sciences across various regions of Pakistan. Their experiences were explored through semi-structured interviews, guided by a 12-question protocol adapted from Siddiqui et al. (2020). Results based on Thematic analysis indicated that a majority of the Ph.D. scholars expressed satisfaction with their choice of supervisors, having selected them based on their own. However, they suggested delaying the supervisor-selection process until the second semester, citing instances where some faculty members posed difficulties and challenges to those who had not chosen them as supervisor. Furthermore, scholars reported dissatisfaction with the support provided by their supervisors. Financial difficulties were also prevalent among the scholars, with many failing to secure merit scholarships, particularly due to their enrollment in evening or weekend programs.