This paper reports on a project in which part-time doctoral researchers were engaged in a process of peer assessment and review, with a view to improving their critical writing skills. Our aim was to support the development of students' critical writing skills by involving them in giving and receiving formative, peer feedback over a sustained…

This paper explores fit as an important theoretical construct in the study of doctoral education and doctoral student development. We discuss how research based on three types of fit (person-environment fit, person-culture fit, person-vocation fit) may provide critical insights into the doctoral student experience, and offer a framework based on…

An important element of doctoral studies is identification with the academic community. Such identification is often complicated by part-time student status. In this paper, two part-time doctoral students and their supervisor employ Lave and Wenger's concept of legitimate peripheral participation to explore, through a critical socio-cultural lens,…

It has long been argued in many Western countries that having a highly skilled workforce is crucial to innovation and national competitiveness. Ensuring the employment of the most highly educated members of a country's population is integral to helping achieve such economic outcomes. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the major…

This article presents findings from a study of mature part-time students and their reported benefits of study. It is based on data from a questionnaire survey of graduates from two major--but very different--providers of part-time higher education: Birkbeck, University of London and the Open University. Response items were grouped within a…

This study seeks to examine variation in the study support experiences of a group of students on a taught master's programme in the United Kingdom. Whilst this offers a very specific UK focus, the article draws upon related work in Australian, American and African contexts on study support, academic development and academic literacy. A…

Internationally, the attention being paid by governments to research education is growing in line with the increasing numbers of students undertaking research degrees. With this emphasis on research students it is, however, becoming clear that there is a specific category of research student that has been overlooked to the point that they are…

Part-time undergraduate student numbers have been increasing over the last 15 years. Some 615 separate part-time first degree courses in Great Britain are identified and examined in terms of the types of institutions offering them, their accreditation, timing, mode of provision, subject, entry and exit arrangements, and location. (Author/MLW)

A learning organization set up to pursue meta- or process-goals for management students is described in terms of its theoretical bases and course structure. Student perceptions of the course and its outcomes are compared with expectations; discrepancies are discussed along with criticisms of the approach within a university context. (JMF)

A study of public and private employers' demand for part-time higher education for their employees and the response of institutions is reported. The study focuses on Wales and on the regional economic and social trends affecting educational demand and supply. Improved communication between employers, employees, and institutions is recommended.…

A British survey of 708 part-time graduate students in the social sciences found that a typical student studies about 15 hours a week, works full-time in education, health, or local government, receives some employer tuition assistance, and is given one-half to 1 day release time a week for studies. (Author/MSE)

Explored factors affecting social science doctoral students' access and experience of the research cultures at two British universities. Interviews and focus group discussions were held with 26 doctoral students. Analysis suggested that international and part-time students have the most difficulty in accessing peer and academic cultures. However,…

A survey of business administration faculty in 15 British institutions revealed teachers felt their institutions undervalued teaching of part-time students and were enthusiastic about classroom practice. Problems were found in academic freedom, accommodating part-time schedules, and dissonance between school and work among both faculty and…

Hatfield Polytechnic offers a degree program in Contemporary Studies designed for adult students, barticularly women who wish to study part-time during the day. Discussion of the program focuses on curriculum content, rate of study, admissions requirements, counseling, preparatory courses, child care arrangements, and student financial aid. (JMD)

Mixed mode study, allowing students to switch between full- and part-time status according to personal needs, is evaluated in a program designed to remedy underachievement. The contributions of recent developments in credit accumulation, assessment of prior learning, and learning contracts are discussed. (MSE)