Problems of Social Sciences Doctoral Studies Management at Vilnius University
Problems of Social Sciences Doctoral Studies Management at Vilnius University

Summary/Abstract: The paper analyses current problems that arise in social science doctoral studies management at Vilnius University. Survey of doctoral students of Vilnius University was conducted in spring of 2006. The number of factors in doctoral studies was assessed: motives of enrolling into doctoral studies, impediments to implement research and prepare dissertations, quality of scientific adviser’s work, process of doctoral studies organization and administration in the particular faculty, and opinions, what would increase the quality of research. Assessments of social sciences students were compared to assessments of students of other fields: biomedicine, humanities, and physical sciences. It appeared, that many factors, that are important for dissertation quality, were assessed worse in social sciences in comparison to physical sciences: qualified scientific support, collaboration with colleagues and experts, local and international collaboration, classes and positive scientific environment, and others. Although partly these problems might be solved by additional financing, many solutions do not require excessive finance, they are rather dependent on proper management. It is advised to organize more classes for doctoral students, to strengthen local and International scientific environment, to organize cohort groups of doctoral students working in the same field, to look for additional financing and collaboration with business options. Thinking about long term doctoral studies goals, it is proposed to overtake doctoral studies management practice from the other countries cases which are described in the article.

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