Perceptions of mattering in the doctoral student and advisor relationship

176 Pages·2016·1.02 MB·English

by  Holly Anne Schneider

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
12-1-2015
Perceptions of mattering in the doctoral student
and advisor relationship
Holly Anne Schneider
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, [email protected]
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PERCEPTIONS OF MATTERING IN THE DOCTORAL STUDENT AND ADVISOR
RELATIONSHIP

By

Holly Anne Schneider

Bachelor of Science – Kinesiology
California State University, San Bernardino
2006

Master of Science – Sports Education Leadership
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
2008

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the

Doctor of Philosophy – Higher Education

Department of Educational Psychology and Higher Education
College of Education
The Graduate College

University of Nevada, Las Vegas
December 2015
Dissertation Approval
The Graduate College
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas

October 28, 2015
This dissertation prepared by
Holly A. Schneider
entitled
Perceptions of Mattering in the Doctoral Student and Advisor Relationship
is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy – Higher Education
Department of Educational Psychology and Higher Education

Doris L. Watson, Ph.D. Kathryn Hausbeck Korgan, Ph.D.
Examination Committee Chair Graduate College Interim Dean

Kimberly Nehls, Ph.D.
Examination Committee Member

Stefani Relles, Ph.D.
Examination Committee Member

Chyllis Scott, Ph.D.
Graduate College Faculty Representative

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Abstract

Perceptions of Mattering in the Doctoral Student and Advisor Relationship
By
Holly Anne Schneider

Dr. Doris L. Watson, Dissertation Committee Chair
Professor of Higher Education
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

The advising relationship has been acknowledged as one of the most important factors in
doctoral student persistence and attrition. Less researched are psychosocial factors that contribute
to doctoral student persistence and completion. Preliminary research including measures of
psychosocial factors on doctoral student success found faculty-student relationships and collegial
support contributed significantly to doctoral completion more so than individual factors
including motivation, career goals, procrastination, financial security, and external demands such
as family.
The current study draws on the psychosocial construct of mattering (Rosenberg &
McCullough, 1981) to examine doctoral students’ perceptions of mattering to their advisors and
the influence on their commitment to complete their PhD. Using a qualitative multiple case study
approach, findings from this study revealed the impact of the discipline on the advisor-student
relationship, particularly in how mattering is experienced and the influence on students’
commitment to complete the PhD. Three components of mattering were examined: attention,
importance and dependence. While a new form of attention emerged from both cases, this form
of attention manifested in different ways for each case. Findings from this study revealed
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students in one case felt their relationships with their advisors confirmed their commitment,
while the same conclusion was not supported within the other case.

iv
Acknowledgements
It is with the deepest gratitude that I thank my dissertation chair, Dr. Doris L. Watson for
her unending support and dedication to see me through my PhD. During times of uncertainty and
when circumstances threatened my persistence, your earnest belief in my capacity to succeed
pushed me beyond what I thought possible. Thank you for never giving up on me, especially
when I was on the brink of giving up on myself.
I would also like to recognize my committee members: Dr. Kimberly Nehls, Dr. Stefani
Relles, and Dr. Chyllis Scott. Your guidance through this process has been an immeasurable
help. Kim, you have been an amazing presence both on my committee and in my life. Words
cannot adequately express how thankful I am for you.
To my parents, Debbie and Fred Amerson, and Deb and Rick Schneider – your love,
support (and many hours of babysitting) have amounted to more than you will ever know. To my
family members near and far, your words of encouragement and belief in me have lifted my
spirit and lent me strength along this journey. I also count myself fortunate to have many
colleagues and friends who have been there to cheer me on and commiserate along the way.
Thank you to my dear friends Alex Lourdes, Brandy Smith, Julianne Flores, and Sara Elissa.
My three beautiful children, Lily, Gabriel, and William are also due thanks. There were
many weekends you tolerated my absence so that I could meet my goals. You three inspire me to
be better. To the man who matters most to me, Jubal, I am forever indebted to you. To call you a
partner is an understatement. You have shouldered more burden than I ever expected, and
sacrificed everything to see me succeed. My success is undoubtedly due in large part to you.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

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Table of Contents

Abstract .................................................................................................................................. iii

Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. v

Chapter 1 ................................................................................................................................. 1
Introduction to the Problem ...................................................................................................... 1
Statement of the Problem ..................................................................................................... 6
Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................................ 7
Research Questions .............................................................................................................. 7
Theoretical/Conceptual framework ....................................................................................... 8
Mattering .......................................................................................................................... 8
Attention ..................................................................................................................... 8
Importance .................................................................................................................. 8
Dependence ................................................................................................................. 9
Overview of Methodology .................................................................................................... 9
Limitations and Delimitations of the Study ........................................................................... 9
Limitations ..................................................................................................................... 10
Delimitations .................................................................................................................. 11
Significance of the Study .................................................................................................... 11
Organization of the Study ................................................................................................... 12
Definition of Terms ............................................................................................................ 13

Chapter 2 ............................................................................................................................... 15
Literature Review ................................................................................................................... 15
Historical Overview of Graduate Education........................................................................ 16
Graduate Student Socialization and Development............................................................... 20
Graduate Student Socialization ....................................................................................... 20
Disciplinary Socialization ............................................................................................... 21
Model of Doctoral Student Development ........................................................................ 24
Doctoral Student Attrition and Persistence ......................................................................... 28
Doctoral Student Attrition .............................................................................................. 29
Doctoral Student Persistence .......................................................................................... 39
Mattering ........................................................................................................................... 46
Summary ............................................................................................................................ 50

Chapter 3 ............................................................................................................................... 51
Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 51
Research Design..................................................................................................................... 51
Positionality of the Researcher ........................................................................................... 51
Applicability of Qualitative Methodology .......................................................................... 53
Applicability of Case Study ................................................................................................ 53
Case Study Design ............................................................................................................. 54
Participants ..................................................................................................................... 55
Data Collection .................................................................................................................. 56
vi
Interviews....................................................................................................................... 56
Observation .................................................................................................................... 57
Documents ..................................................................................................................... 58
Data Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 59
Figure 1. Data Analysis Procedures (Marshall & Rossman, 2006) ...................................... 60
Trustworthiness .................................................................................................................. 68
Ethical Considerations ........................................................................................................ 69
Summary ............................................................................................................................ 70

Chapter 4 ............................................................................................................................... 71
Findings ................................................................................................................................. 71
Case 1: College of Science ..................................................................................................... 71
Context .............................................................................................................................. 71
COS Within Case Findings ................................................................................................. 75
Attention ........................................................................................................................ 75
Importance ..................................................................................................................... 79
Dependence .................................................................................................................... 82
Commitment to Degree Completion ............................................................................... 83
Other Findings ................................................................................................................... 86
Additional Roles of the Advisor ..................................................................................... 86
Marginality ..................................................................................................................... 87
Summary of COS Case ....................................................................................................... 90
Case 2: College of Liberal Arts .............................................................................................. 91
Context .............................................................................................................................. 91
Findings ............................................................................................................................. 93
Attention ........................................................................................................................ 94
Importance ..................................................................................................................... 99
Dependence ...................................................................................................................105
Commitment to Degree Completion ..............................................................................108
Summary of COLA Case ...................................................................................................115
Cross-Case Analysis ..........................................................................................................116
Attention .......................................................................................................................117
Importance ....................................................................................................................117
Dependence ...................................................................................................................118
Commitment to Degree Completion ..............................................................................118
Other Findings ...............................................................................................................119
Summary ...........................................................................................................................119

Chapter 5 ..............................................................................................................................121
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................121
Findings for Research Question 1 ......................................................................................121
Attention .......................................................................................................................122
Importance ....................................................................................................................124
Dependence ...................................................................................................................128
Findings for Research Question 2 ......................................................................................129
Other Findings ...............................................................................................................132
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Implications for Practice ....................................................................................................135
Implications for Research ..................................................................................................137
Conclusion ........................................................................................................................139
APPENDIX A: Interview Instrument ....................................................................................141
APPENDIX B: Recruitment Flyer .........................................................................................144
APPENDIX C: Informed Consent .........................................................................................145
References ............................................................................................................................149
Curriculum Vitae ..................................................................................................................162

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List of Tables

Table 1. Data Sources for Cases ............................................................................................. 59
Table 2. Example of Research Log ......................................................................................... 62
Table 3. Codebook Example of Mattering Definitions ............................................................ 65
Table 4. Analysis of Mattering Components in the COS and COLA Cases ............................. 67
Table 5. Institutional Student Demographics .......................................................................... 72
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