This article presents a biblical exegesis comparing the transformative journeys of Saint Paul and doctoral researchers resulting in the synthetic thesis that the religious conversion of Saint Paul of Tarsus was accompanied by a concomitant ipseitic (identity) metanoia (paradigmatic transfiguration) which serves as a parallel (homology) to the…[Read more]

Successful doctoral researchers must adopt dispassionate receptivity to critical feedback. The true doctoral scholar’s passion for their studies remains undiminished by negative feedback because they remain objectively remote; their personal feelings, self-confidence and identity are all totally divorced from the severity of peer and faculty f…[Read more]

This article begins with a brief dilation on the characteristics of a unified doctoral identity then transitions to a comprehensive personal narrative chronicling the development of my own scholarly doctoral identity. The article concludes by assessing my present state of readiness and preparedness for further doctoral research and successful…[Read more]

According to Robinson (2021) there are two competing epistemological conceptual frameworks a doctoral scholar may use when justifying an argument: positivism and interpretivism (Braun & Clarke (2021) refer to interpretivism as reflexive constructionism). These frameworks must be coupled with either a deductive or inductive approach to logical…[Read more]

This article explores, investigates, and details the developmental challenges and qualities of the independent doctoral researcher using evidence-based thematic analyses from studies conducted by Coffman, Putman, Adkisson, Kriner, & Monaghan (2016), Garcia & Yao (2019), and Inouye & McAlpine (2017). First, a thesis statement regarding the…[Read more]

The successful development of an independent doctoral identity is a transformational journey from student to scholar requiring frequent peer and faculty feedback-based interaction and immersive, constant doctoral-level research and writing. An independent doctoral identity does not emerge fully formed as Athena from the head of Zeus; rather, it…[Read more]

According to a scholarly journal article by Baird (1997), the journey from beginning a doctoral program and successfully submitting a completed thesis in a timely manner starts with choosing a well-defined dissertation topic. Though a well-defined topic is architectonic to the process, it is only one among many considerations and requirements of a…[Read more]

A rigorous apologia for peer-reviewed literature for doctoral research. Articles which lack peer-review are objectively less valuable. According to Adamek (2015), peer-review is climacteric; that is, peer-review represents the most central and vital criteria in selecting scholarly writing to include in dissertation research. Indeed, a 2021 study…[Read more]

The journey to a completed, accepted, peer-reviewed, published dissertation is akin to the journeys of Odysseus or Aeneas in Homer’s Odyssey or Virgil’s Aeneid, respectively. It is an epic quest filled with years of struggle, strivation, and setbacks. Grit, determination, and limitless motivation to achieve a goal resting far beyond the pre…[Read more]

The RES-815 Topic 2 discussion question vignettes (2020) introduces the reader to two doctoral researchers: Walter Webb and Sally Smart. Walter is shown to be a novice researcher who fails to utilize peer-reviewed scholarly sources. He lacks a clear understanding of APA formatting. As a result, his grade suffers. By contrast, Sally uses scholarly…[Read more]

A discussion of the factors and solutions relating to doctoral students’ propensity to success or failure. Topics include three main practices affecting doctoral success, application of those practices including developing a doctoral identity, potential challenges, and required adjustments.

The perception and role of researchers in the academic community including the mental and behavioral changes necessary to become a successful researcher.