Skip to main content
Log in

Socialization of Doctoral Students to Academic Norms

  • Published:
Research in Higher Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Using the framework for graduate and professional student socialization developed by Weidman, Twale, and Stein (2001), this study addresses socialization of doctoral students to the academic norms of research and scholarship. Data are presented about the perceptions doctoral students in a social science discipline (sociology) and in educational foundations at a major research university have of the scholarly and collegial climates of their departments. Data on students' social relationships with faculty and peers as well as their reported participation in scholarly activities are also reported. A multivariate analysis provides support for the framework, affirming the importance of social interaction among both students and faculty as well as collegiality among faculty for creating a supportive climate for doctoral study that also has the potential to provide a strong foundation for subsequent academic and/or research careers by stimulating students' research and scholarly productivity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Antony, J. S. (2002). Reexamining doctoral student socialization and professional development: Moving beyond the congruence and assimilation orientation. In: Smart, J. C., and Tierney, W. G. (eds.), Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research (Vol. XVII), Agathon Press, New York, pp. 349–380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baird, L. L. (1990). The melancholy of anatomy: The personal and professional development of graduate and professional students. In Smart, J.C. (ed.), Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research (Vol. VI), Agathon Press, New York, pp. 361–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, H. S., Greer, B., Hughes, E. C., and Strauss, A. (1961). Boys in White, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, H. R., and Schuster, J. H. (1986). American Professors: A National Resource Imperiled, Oxford University Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bragg, A. K. (1976). The socialization process in higher education. ERIC/AAHE Research Report, No. 7. American Association for Higher Education, Washington, DC.

  • Braxton, J. M., and Toombs, W. (1982). Faculty uses of doctoral training: Consideration of a technique for the differentiation of scholarly effort from research activity. Research in Higher Education 16: 265–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brim, O. G., and Wheeler, S. (1966). Socialization after Childhood: Two Essays, John Wiley and Sons, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bucher, R., and Stelling, J. (1977). Becoming a Professional, Sage Publications, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clausen, J. A. (ed.) (1968). Socialization and Society, Little, Brown and Co., Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cresswell, J. W. (1985). Faculty research performance. ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report 4. Association for the Study of Higher Education, Washington, DC.

  • Finkelstein, M. J. (1984). The American Academic Profession, Ohio State University Press, Columbus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedson, E. (1986). Professional Powers, University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, J., and Hartnett, R. T. (eds.) (1976). Scholars in the Making, Ballinger, Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Light, D., Jr. (1974). Introduction: The structure of the academic profession. Sociology of Education 47: 2–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lortie, D. (1959). Laymen to lawmen: Law school, careers, and professional socialization. Harvard Educational Review 29: 352–369.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lortie, D. (1975). School-teacher: A Sociological Study, University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merton, R. L. (1957). Social Theory and Social Structure, The Free Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merton, R. K., Reader, G. G., and Kendall, P. L. (1957). The Student Physician, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, G. A., and Wager, L. W. (1971). Adult socialization, organization structure, and role orientation, Administrative Science Quarterly 16: 151–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortimer, J. L., and Simmons, R. G. (1978). Adult socialization. Annual Review of Sociology 4: 421–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olesen, V. L., and Whittaker, E. W. (1968). The Silent Dialogue, Jossey Bass, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ondrack, D. A. (1975). Socialization in professional schools: A comparative study. Administrative Science Quarterly 20: 90–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pease, J. (1967). Faculty influence and professional participation of doctoral students. Sociological Inquiry 37: 63–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, B. C., and Bates, A. P. (1967). The structure of socialization in graduate school Sociological Inquiry 37: 71–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherlock, B. J., and Morris, R. T. (1967). The evolution of the professional: A paradigm. Sociological Inquiry 37: 27–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smart, J. C., and Hagedorn, L. S. (1994). Enhancing professional competencies in graduate education. Review of Higher Education 17: 241–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thornton R., and Nardi, P. M. (1975). The dynamics of role acquisition. American Journal of Sociology 30: 870–885.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trow, M. (ed.) (1975). Teachers and Students: Aspects of American Higher Education, McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weidman, J. C. (1979). Nonintellective undergraduate socialization in academic departments. Journal of Higher Education 50: 48–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weidman, J. C. (1989). Undergraduate socialization: A conceptual approach. In: Smart, J. C. (ed.), Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research (Vol. V), Agathon Press, New York, pp. 289–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weidman, J. C., Twale, D. J., and Stein, E. L. (2001). Socialization of graduate and professional students in higher education: A perilous passage? ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report, 28. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John C. Weidman.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Weidman, J.C., Stein, E.L. Socialization of Doctoral Students to Academic Norms. Research in Higher Education 44, 641–656 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026123508335

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026123508335

Navigation