DoctoralNet is an online platform that provides resources and support for doctoral students. It delivers pedagogy tailored for adult learners and helps plug gaps caused by growing programs. Dublin City University uses DoctoralNet, with 75% of students engaging through webinars, groups, or opting into challenges. While usage is high, more information is needed on how users differ from non-users and DoctoralNet's impact on completion rates and return on investment. Next steps include surveys, interviews, and potential expansion to all doctoral students at DCU.

1. The Case of DoctoralNet:
An Innovative Online Platform for Doctoral Students
Dr. Alana E. James
and Professor Mark Brown
Toronto, Canada
19th October 2017

2. 1. What is DoctoralNet?
2. How is DCU using DoctoralNet?
3. What do we still need to find out?
Outline….

3. 1. What is DoctoralNet?

4. What is DoctoralNet?
Web based
portals
personalized for
a university
1
Delivering solid
pedagogy styled
to meet the
needs of busy,
adult learners
2
Plugging the leaks
created by growing
and changing
programs, and
building
programmatic profits
3

5. Major and Minor Milestones through the Process

6. Interactive
Self
Assessments

7. Socialization
What Support
Is Wanted?
Requires
a new
pedagogical
framework

8. Challenge: Is it useful?
• 5 F Survey… N=313
1. 58% regularly consider dropping out
2. Work-Life Balance (47%)
3. Lack of Support (39%)
Overcoming the 5 F’s
will be discussed in another session

12. LIKELY
UNLIKELY
POSTGRADUATE
ADOPTION
MATRIX
Accessible/Useful
Flexible/FitsinTheirTimetable
IsEfficient
PROBABLE
PROBABLE
Discussed theoretically in
Overcoming the 5F’s

13. 2. How is DCU using DoctoralNet?

14. 275 – Total Population Enrolled
75% – Total Engagement
49% – Who use the webinars
28% – In Groups
33% – Opt in for resources such as 30-day
writing challenge, motivational
emails, etc.
23% – Site usage or communication with
staff for resources
7% – Of students who are power users
Engagement 75%
49% Webinars
N= 275
23% Resources:
Site/Staff
Opt-ins 33%
28% in Groups
Power users 7%

15. Pattern of uptake by students…
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
n= Adoption= Usefulness

16. What Do Students Say?
“Watching
DoctoralNet
webinars
keeps me
motivated”
1
“Online resources
work because is easy
and fast to get the
information needed”
2
“With your support I realized I
could do this! Even those in
the webinars were all studying
very different things our
troubles were similar”
3
“I found DoctoralNet & was able to get
over the difficulties & problems I
experienced. If it hadn't been for the
staff of DoctoralNet I doubt I would
have completed my doctoral studies”
4

17. 3. What do we still need to find out?

18. • How does the profile of DoctoralNet using students
differ from non using students?
• What impact does DoctoralNet have on overall
completions rates?
• What is the direct and indirect institutional return on
investment of implementing DoctoralNet?
Key questions….

19. • A formal survey of DoctoralNet using students at DCU
• Interviews with key DCU staff involved in doctoral
supervision
• Potential expansion of DoctoralNet to all DCU doctoral
students
Next Steps….

20. Comments and Tools to Help Others
Useful Tool #2:
Worksheet for Cost of
Disengagement
Useful tool#1:
5F’s Survey for
Universities
Plugging the leaks-
We’ve learned that we
can’t predict which
students are really
struggling
Developing the
Personal agency of our
students – It takes a
village and the village
is now also digital

21. “A prudent question is one-half of wisdom”
Francis Bacon