Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP765
Authors: Alison L. Booth; Stephen E. Satchell
Abstract: The paper examines UK PhD completion and withdrawal rates, in a competing risks framework, using the 1986 National Survey of 1980 Graduates. The statistical problem of thresholding of completion data is also addressed. We argue that our results suggest that there are problems with the use of PhD completion rates as performance indicators for academic departments. The principal results of the analysis are as follows. First, research council funding significantly increases only the male completion rate. Second, male and female completion rates are highest where the subject area of research is in the sciences or engineering. Third, ability increases the completion rate for men, but for women increases both the withdrawal and completion rates. Finally, a significant maternal role model effect is observed for female completions.
Keywords: Higher Education; PhDs; Hazard Rates; Competing Risks
JEL Codes: J24; I23
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Research council funding (I23) | Completion rate for male PhD candidates (Y40) |
| Research council funding (I23) | Completion rate for female PhD candidates (Y40) |
| Subject area (Z00) | Completion rates for both genders (I24) |
| Academic ability (I23) | Completion rate for male PhD candidates (Y40) |
| Academic ability (I23) | Withdrawal rates for female PhD candidates (Y40) |
| Presence of a professional mother (J44) | Female completion rates (I24) |