The Doctor of Philosophy Degree: A Selective, Annotated Bibliography

(Hardback)

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Since its early American inception in the mid 19th century, the Ph.D. has been the hallmark of American higher education. It has become the capstone for a multitude of disciplines and professional education, overshadowing other degree programs. Yet it has not been above controversy. Recent discussions of its purpose vis-a-vis teaching and professional endeavors have continued a long tradition of examining graduate education. This selective, annotated bibliography offers an entree to the Ph.D. phenomenon. Of interest to administrators, educators, and scholars, the volume covers the history, research, and evolution of the Ph.D. An introductory essay offers an historical overview and sets the degree within the context of contemporary research. The following chapters provide annotated entries on publications covering issues surrounding the Ph.D. Organized into four sections, the entries cover the controversies, critical studies, and purpose of the Ph.D. degree for science and technology, the social sciences, and the humanities disciplines. The entries introduce such topics as acculturation, completion rates, funding, requirements, and structure of the Ph.D.

Reviews

The completion and attainment of the Ph.D. degree has become the ultimate educational achievement for a multitude of disciplines. This bibliography promises both to offer an entree into the Ph.D. phenomenon and fill a gap in the reference resources in higher education studies...This slim volume will interest administrators, educators, and scholars as a thorough examination of the representative literature on the Ph.D. degree. Not only does it cover specific programs at specific universities, but is also conceptualizes overall degree requirements and comparative reports and analyses. It presents a nice balance between older and more recent published findings. This book is organized chronologically and provides a good starting point not only for the graduate student conducting preliminary research into Ph.D. programs, but also for the academic advisor of graduate students.-NACADA Journal
This voulme is composed of 484 annoted bibliographical entries concerning the Ph.D in the United States, Its history and evolution, as well as its nature in the sciences, and the humanities. As the title denotes, this is a selective biblography in perhaps the best sense of that term. Here are almost 500 informative, well-written, annotated entires purportedly covering the best of what has been written on the topic. ... The bibliography should prove useful not only to those researching higher education in the United States but also for those currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program or comtemplating study at the doctoral level. it is recommended for libraries maintaining graduate collections in higher education research.- ARBA
Whatever jokes about the PhD degree may be in vogue (and there have always been plenty), it remains the union card for academe and much of the national research establishment. There has long been an outpouring of examination, critique, and debate surrounding the PhD. What were its origins and has it changed over time Has the degree remained vital in a time of rapid societal and educational change Are the traditional elements associated with the degree (written and oral examinations, dissertation) necessary These and many other questions are addressed through the literature the compilers have sorted through, selected, and annotated. The book belongs in all graduate education collections and is an excellent addition to the series.-Choice
"This voulme is composed of 484 annoted bibliographical entries concerning the Ph.D in the United States, Its history and evolution, as well as its nature in the sciences, and the humanities. As the title denotes, this is a selective biblography in perhaps the best sense of that term. Here are almost 500 informative, well-written, annotated entires purportedly covering the best of what has been written on the topic. ... The bibliography should prove useful not only to those researching higher education in the United States but also for those currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program or comtemplating study at the doctoral level. it is recommended for libraries maintaining graduate collections in higher education research."- ARBA
"Whatever jokes about the PhD degree may be in vogue (and there have always been plenty), it remains the union card for academe and much of the national research establishment. There has long been an outpouring of examination, critique, and debate surrounding the PhD. What were its origins and has it changed over time Has the degree remained vital in a time of rapid societal and educational change Are the traditional elements associated with the degree (written and oral examinations, dissertation) necessary These and many other questions are addressed through the literature the compilers have sorted through, selected, and annotated. The book belongs in all graduate education collections and is an excellent addition to the series."-Choice
"The completion and attainment of the Ph.D. degree has become the ultimate educational achievement for a multitude of disciplines. This bibliography promises both to offer an entree into the Ph.D. phenomenon and fill a gap in the reference resources in higher education studies...This slim volume will interest administrators, educators, and scholars as a thorough examination of the representative literature on the Ph.D. degree. Not only does it cover specific programs at specific universities, but is also conceptualizes overall degree requirements and comparative reports and analyses. It presents a nice balance between older and more recent published findings. This book is organized chronologically and provides a good starting point not only for the graduate student conducting preliminary research into Ph.D. programs, but also for the academic advisor of graduate students."-NACADA Journal

Author Bio

ANNE L. BUCHANAN is Assistant Management and Economics Librarian and Assistant Professor of Library Science at Purdue University. Her research interests are related to bibliometrics, scholarly communication, and interdisciplinary research. JEAN-PIERRE V.M. HERUBEL is philosophy and political science bibliographer and Associate Professor of Library Science at Purdue University. He is the compiler of Annales Historiography and Theory: A Selective and Annotated Bibliography (Greenwood, 1994).