The PhD Challenge

By John Otieno Oredo / @JohnOredo

Many of us are pursuing doctoral studies amidst so many other things. We are probably working full time or part time so as to put food on the table and to meet other needs. Going by anecdotal evidence, many people in developing countries like Kenya seem to start their doctoral studies when they are in their mid thirties and above. This implies that they have to balance between studies and their families. Again sponsorships for doctoral studies is dwindling, leaving many who are interested in puisuing such studies with no option but to work full time plus part time to meet their normal financial obligations and to fund their studies. And before I forget, how about the distractions of social life - the sports clubs, neighbourhood associations, Chamas, Church ministries, weddings  and others in pursuit of belongingness (Maslow’s pyramid).

While there seems to be very many visible impediments to pursuing and completing a doctoral  degree, a flash of courage runs within me when I think of all the men and women who have run this road. Juggling life’s pressures,family responsibilities, social responsibilities, work and daily routines, men and women across the world have carved out space in their lives to embark on the journey of  attaining a doctoral degree.

A doctoral degree is awarded in recognition of a candidate’s erudition in a broad field of learning and for notable accomplishment in that field through an original and substantial contribution to knowledge (Recker, 2013, p. 6). This is a gigantic undertaking  that requires a strong motivation that turns it from a mere undertaking into a vocation –“The intellectual life”. While it looks obvious that to succeed in any vocation, a kind of lifestyle is required, doctoral students are never inducted into this lifestyle in any formal manner.  Its like you will get it through osmosis as we used to say in high school.

In as much as we share the passion and calling of those who have succeed in this endevour before us, we need their  perspective and counsel. (Recker, 2013, p. 5)  summarises three dimensions of motivation needed by a doctoral student. These are:

1.      Ambition- This could be to enter or progress an academic carrier or as a recognition of thought leadership in industry or corporate careers.

2.      Dedication – Needed to work on a novel and intrinsically complex challenge for s substantial amount of time.

3.      Commitment -Willingness to free time and resources to work dedicatedly on the research.

In summary, a scholar should be carried along by the instinct of a conqueror, by an urge, an enthusiasm, an inspiration (Sertillanges, 1998). As scholars, we can not thrive in isolation but through continuous discourse with our peers and mentors. A scholar must be nourished and sharpened by his colleagues. The purpose of this blog is to facilitate discourse in our discipline. Our discipline is Information Systems (IS)-Information Technology in use. The IS research discipline is concerned with examining information technology in use (Paul, 2010)  including electronic voter systems and their challenges. This field is broad, multidisciplinary and exciting. Ladies and gentlemen, let us engage through this blog.

We can dedicate this first thread to share our hopes, challenges and the way forward. Lets us all participate in setting the agenda for this research community.

Finally I thank our techie Katiku Mwendo who created and administers the blog.

References

Paul, R. J. (2010). Loose Change. European Journal of Information Systems, 19(4), 379–381. doi:10.1057/ejis.2010.40

Recker, J. (2013). Scientific Research in Information Systems - A Beginner’s Guide. Springer. Retrieved from http://www.springer.com/business+%26+management/business+information+systems/book/978-3-642-30047-9

Sertillanges, A. G. (1998). The Intellectual Life: Its Spirit, Conditions, Methods. (M. Ryan, Trans.) (Reprint.). Catholic University of America Press.