Table 4 Student experiences and satisfaction with aspects of their PhD studies

II-1

The frequency of the supervision meetings with my supervisor(s) is reasonable.

163/194

(84.0%)

135/163

(82.8%)

21/163

(12.9%)

7/163

(4.3%)

0 (0%)

II-2

My supervisor(s) can maintain the supervision meetings on a regular basis.

163/194

(84.0%)

127/163

(77.9%)

23/163

(14.1%)

13/163

(8.0%)

0 (0%)

II-3

My supervisor(s) can give me timely feedback when I need professional support.

163/194

(84.0%)

138/163

(84.7%)

19/163

(11.7%)

6/163

(3.6%)

0 (0%)

II-4

The quality of the supervision meetings with my supervisor (s) is high.

162/194

(83.5%)

136/162

(84.0%)

20/162

(12.3%)

6/162

(3.7%)

0 (0%)

II-5

My supervisor(s) have sufficient expertise in my doctoral research topic.

162/194

(83.5%)

126/162

(77.8%)

25/162

(15.4%)

8/162

(4.9%)

3/162

(1.9%)

II-6

My supervisor(s) can give me appropriate guidance for my doctoral research topic selection.

162/194

(83.5%)

137/162

(84.6%)

16/162

(9.8%)

6/162

(3.7%)

3/162

(1.9%)

II-7

My supervisor(s) have sufficient expertise in the methodology that I utilized in my doctoral project.

162/194

(83.5%)

138/162

(85.2%)

11/162

(6.8%)

9/162

(5.6%)

4/162

(2.4%)

II-8

My supervisor(s) can give me useful feedback on my doctoral study progress.

162/194

(83.5%)

140/162

(86.4%)

17/162

(10.5%)

3/162

(1.9%)

2/162

(1.2%)

II-9

My supervisor(s) have the awareness of developing my research capacities such as critical thinking.

162/194

(83.5%)

150/162

(92.6%)

8/162

(4.9%)

4/162

(2.5%)

0 (0%)

II-10

My supervisor(s) can give me very clear direction and guidance for my doctoral research project.

162/194

(83.5%)

135/162

(83.3%)

21/16

(13.0%)

6/162

(3.7%)

0 (0%)

II-11

My supervisor(s) act as a good academic role model and mentor.

162/194

(83.5%)

147/162

(90.8%)

8/162

(4.9%)

7/162

(4.3%)

0 (0%)

II-12

My supervisor(s) usually give me a lot of encouragement and help build my confidence.

162/194

(83.5%)

136/162

(84.0%)

20/162

(12.3%)

6/162

(3.7%)

0 (0%)

II-13

My supervisor(s) usually help me face challenges and difficulties related to my study.

162/194

(83.5%)

135/162

(83.3%)

22/162

(13.6%)

5/162

(3.1%)

0 (0%)

II-14

My supervisor(s) push me to publish research papers.

162/194

(83.5%)

128/162

(79.0%)

19/162

(11.7%)

9/162

(5.6%)

6/162

(3.7%)

II-15

My supervisor(s) are willing to give me advices on research issues.

162/194

(83.5%)

138/162

(85.2%)

17/162

(10.5%)

5/162

(3.1%)

2/162

(1.2%)

II-16

My supervisor(s) are willing to give me advice on my career development.

162/194

(83.5%)

127/162

(78.4%)

26/162

(16.1%)

8/162

(4.9%)

1/162

(0.6%)

II-17

Overall, I am satisfied with the quality and effectiveness of my doctoral supervision.

162/194

(83.5%)

143/162

(88.3%)

11/162

(6.8%)

7/162

(4.3%)

1/162

(0.6%)

III-6

Do you agree the doctoral training at your institution enhances your critical thinking skills?

140/194

(72.2%)

115/140

(82.1%)

21/140

(15.0%)

3/140

(2.2%)

1/140

(0.7%)

III-7

Do you feel confident about writing proposal for funding application after receiving the doctoral trainings?

141/194

(72.7%)

83/141

(58.9%)

37/141

(26.2%)

17/141

(12.1%)

4/141

(2.8%)

III-8

Do you feel confident about research project management after receiving the doctoral trainings?

141/194

(72.7%)

95/141

(67.4%)

25/141

(17.7%)

17/141

(12.1%)

4/141

(2.8%)

III-9

Overall, do you feel satisfied with the doctoral training at your institution?

141/194

(72.7%)

108/141

(76.6%)

24/141

(17.0%)

6/141

(4.3%)

3/141

(2.1%)

IV-1

My institution provides opportunities for research interactions with peer doctoral students from other universities.

137/194

(70.6%)

85/137

(62.0%)

22/137

(16.1%)

21/137

(15.3%)

9/137

(6.6%)

IV-2

I feel I belong to the academic community in my institution.

138/194

(71.1%)

87/138

(63.0%)

29/138 (21.0%)

16/138 (11.6%)

6/138 (4.4%)

IV-3

Apart from my supervisor(s), I can get professional support from other academic staff members in my institution.

138/194

(71.1%)

104/138

(75.3%)

24/138 (17.4%)

7/138 (5.1%)

3/138 (2.2%)

IV-4

I can get support from other peer doctoral students in my institution.

138/194

(71.1%)

108/138

(78.2%)

19/138 (13.8%)

8/138 (5.8%)

3/138 (2.2%)

IV-5

The academic staff members and doctoral students in my institution are willing to share their research with peers.

138/194

(71.1%)

103/138

(74.6%)

23/138 (16.7%)

10/138 (7.2%)

2/138 (1.5%)

IV-6

My institution encourages academic interactions among peer doctoral students.

138/194

(71.1%)

104/138

(75.4%)

21/138 (15.2%)

10/138 (7.2%)

3/138 (2.2%)

IV 7

Regular research seminars/forums are encouraged and held in my institution.

138/194

(71.1%)

112/138

(81.2%)

17/138 (12.3%)

6/138 (4.3%)

3/138 (2.2%)

IV 8

The working environment in my institution is very supportive.

138/194

(71.1%)

102/138

(73.9%)

27/138 (19.6%)

6/138 (4.3%)

3/138 (2.2%)

IV-9

The academic staff and doctoral students in my institution are culturally diversified.

138/194

(71.1%)

95/138

(68.8%)

30/138 (21.7%)

11/138 (8.0%)

2/138 (1.5%)

IV-10

My institution is inclusive of people with different cultural backgrounds.

138/194

(71.1%)

96/138

(69.6%)

26/138 (18.8%)

13/138 (9.4%)

3/138 (2.2%)

IV-11

My institution encourages cultural interactions among peer doctoral students.

138/194

(71.1%)

94/138

(68.1%)

35/138 (25.4%)

6/138 (4.3%)

3/138 (2.2%)

IV-12

Overall, I am satisfied with the intellectual climate in my institution.

138/194

(71.1%)

105/138

(76.1%)

28/138 (20.3%)

4/138 (2.9%)

1/138 (0.7%)

IV-13

Overall, I am satisfied with the cultural climate in my institution.

138/194

(71.1%)

94/138

(68.1%)

32/138 (23.2%)

10/138 (7.2%)

2/138 (1.5%)

V-1

There are sufficient academic library resources (e.g. holdings, electronic databases and search tools) in my university.

138/194

(71.1%)

112/138

(81.2%)

16/138

(11.6%)

9/138

(6.5%)

1/138

(0.7%)

V-2

My university library staff can provide appropriate technical and professional supports to doctoral students.

138/194

(71.1%)

107/138

(77.5%)

18/138

(13.1%)

10/138

(7.2%)

3/138

(2.2%)

V-3

My university library can provide comfortable and convenient study environment to doctoral students.

138/194

(71.1%)

103/138

(74.6%)

19/138

(13.8%)

12/138

(8.7%)

4/138

(2.9%)

V-4

Library facilities in my university can well support my doctoral study.

138/194

(71.1%)

104/138

(75.4%)

26/138

(18.8%)

7/138

(5.1%)

1/138

(0.7%)

V-5

My institution provides the doctoral students with sufficient space for teaching and research activities.

138/194

(71.1%)

100/138

(72.5%)

28/138

(20.3%)

9/138

(6.5%)

1/138

(0.7%)

V-6

My institution has sufficient administrative and technical staff to support student activities.

138/194

(71.1%)

88/138

(63.8%)

34/138

(24.6%)

13/138

(9.4%)

3/138

(2.2%)

V-7

My institution can provide necessary equipment and resources for doctoral research activities.

138/194

(71.1%)

95/138

(68.8%)

31/138

(22.5%)

11/138

(8.0%)

1/138

(0.7%)

V-8

The admission and enrolment procedures for doctoral students in my institution are clear and easy to access.

138/194

(71.1%)

102/138

(73.9%)

26/138

(18.8%)

9/138

(6.5%)

1/138

(0.7%)

V-9

Working stations (e.g. research student office) for doctoral students are well provided.

137/194

(70.6%)

80/137

(58.4%)

32/137

(23.4%)

20/137

(14.6%)

5/137

(3.6%)

V-10

Office supplies (e.g. computer, telephone and printer) are well provided.

138/194

(71.1%)

73/138

(52.9%)

36/138

(26.1%)

28/138

(20.3%)

1/138

(0.7%)

V-11

My institution has provided doctoral students with adequate financial support for research-related work.

138/194

(71.1%)

71/138

(51.4%)

35/138

(25.4%)

29/138

(21.0%)

3/138

(2.2%)

V-12

Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of facilities in my university and institution.

138/194

(71.1%)

92/138

(66.7%)

33/138

(23.9%)

13/138

(9.4%)

0/138

(0%)