Educators often ask how to motivate PhD students. Before addressing how to motivate students, we should know what motivates prospective doctoral students. Motivational support has been shown to lead to overall satisfaction with the educational process, better engagement, and persistence. Using the interdisciplinary field of library and information…

This study aimed to identify factors motivating individuals to earn a doctoral degree in library and information science. Data about doctoral student motivation was collected from first-year students through a survey, semi-structured interviews, and personal admission statements. Findings suggest five motivating factors: research-related…