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An Analysis on the Opinions of Nursing Students About Their Doctoral Education
JOURNAL OF YOUTH RESEARCHES
Postgraduate education is defined as the educational program involving graduate edu-
cation, doctoral education and education, teaching, scientific research and practice in
branches of art (Sevinç, 2001, pp. 25-40; Oğuzkan,1993). Doctoral education is of great
importance for advancement of science, quality of education in higher education and
education of academics (Tosun, 1997, pp. 7-8; Özmen, Güç 2013, pp. 214-219). For this
reason, effective planning and operation of the postgraduate education is closely related
with the development level of a country (Karaman & Fehim Bakırcı; 2010, pp. 94-114).
Postgraduate education in Turkey is carried out by institutes under the supervision of the
Council of Higher Education since 1982. Doctoral education in nursing is important be-
cause it is necessary to create future educators, academics, leaders and policy-makers
as well as to ensure scientific advancement (Yavuz, 2004, p. 553).
Method
The study aims to reveal the opinions of doctoral nursing students on their doctoral ed-
ucation. The study was carried out as a descriptive and qualitative phenomenological
research between August-September 2012. Document analysis is one of the data collec-
tion methods used in phenomenological studies. Document analysis involves the analysis
of written materials containing information about the target phenomenon or phenomena
(Yıldırım and Şimşek, 2005, pp. 187-273).
Study Group
The sample of the study was created using the criterion sampling method, which is one
of the purposive sampling methods. Criterion sampling is the formation of a sample con-
sisting of individuals, events, objects or incidents with the qualities determined for the
problem (Yıldırım and Şimşek, 2005, pp. 187-273). The sample of the study was made
up of 15 nursing students continuing their doctoral education who voluntarily agreed to
participate in the study.
Data Collection Tool
The document review (narrative), which is a qualitative method, was used for data col-
lection (Carpenter, 2003). Before starting the data collection process, the students were
explained the purpose of the study via e-mail. The information form consisting of 6 ques-
tions and the question form consisting of 2 open-ended questions were submitted to
students who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. The open-ended questions
which the students were asked to reveal their opinions about their doctoral education are
as follows:
1. How do you think a higher quality doctoral should be? Please write.
2. Please write your criticisms, opinions and suggestions.
