Is There a Doctor on Board? Collecting Generalizable Data on Doctoral Candidates in Germany

25 Pages Posted: 19 Jun 2016

See all articles by Anna Fräßdorf

Anna Fräßdorf

Humboldt University of Berlin

Mathis Fräßdorf

German Institute for Economic Research (DIW)

Date Written: June 1, 2016

Abstract

Despite of its relevance for science policy and the scientific community, empirical research on doctoral education in Germany is sparse. The few papers available face challenges in the sampling approach: simple random sampling is not possible, because a universal register of PhD candidates in Germany does not exist yet. This article focuses on the issues related to possible data collections for the purpose of research with respect to PhD candidates in Germany. We first outline which official information on doctoral candidates is currently available. We then give an overview of the main German survey studies on doctoral candidates with a focus on their respective sampling strategies. Finally, we discuss the three approaches which conceivably enable researchers to conduct statistical inference on the population of doctoral candidates in Germany: sampling via stratified clusters based on universities or faculties, sampling based on a screening approach, and respondent driven sampling.

Keywords: Doctoral education, science policy, PhD candidates, sampling, data collection

JEL Classification: C83, I23

Suggested Citation

Fräßdorf, Anna and Fräßdorf, Mathis, Is There a Doctor on Board? Collecting Generalizable Data on Doctoral Candidates in Germany (June 1, 2016). DIW Berlin Discussion Paper No. 1587, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2797176 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2797176

Anna Fräßdorf

Humboldt University of Berlin ( email )

Unter den Linden 6
Berlin, AK Berlin 10099
Germany

Mathis Fräßdorf (Contact Author)

German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) ( email )

Mohrenstraße 58
Berlin, 10117
Germany
+493089789222 (Phone)

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