Introduction
The research is a national study of educational research in Australia, with particular emphasis
on its impact on schools and schooling. The questionnaire forms
a part of the whole study
focusing on the role and usefulness of research, particularly that undertaken in universities. The
questions in the questionnaire seek answers of postgraduate students on their studies and their
views about educational research.
The survey was conducted with a total number of 1267 postgraduate students coming from all
states and territories in Australia (table 1). The largest proportion of students located in New
South Wales (31.4%) and the smallest were multi-state students (1.9%). The majority of
students were part time (79.9%) and local ones (94.2%). The
male and female students
accounted for 37.1% and 62.8% respectively. As presented in table 2, the two largest sections
of participants were enrolled in Master by coursework (39.9%) and PhD degree (28.1%).
Table 1. The distribution
of participants
State
Frequency
Percent
Valid
ACT
35
2.8
NSW
398
31.4
VIC
233
18.4
QLD
208
16.4
SA
130
10.3
WA
160
12.6
TAS
38
3.0
NT
41
3.2
Multi-State'
24
1.9
Total
1267
100.0
Table 2. Participants’
types of degree
Type of degree
Frequency
Percent
Valid
PhD
356
28.1
EdD
187
14.8
Research Masters
173
13.7
Coursework Masters
506
39.9
Other PG degree/diploma
40
3.2
Needs a title
Total
1262
99.6
Missing
8
2
.2
9
3
.2
Total
5
.4
Total
1267
100.0
Within
the focus of the analysis, the study seeks answers to the
three following research
questions:
1. What are the students' perceptions of the role of their higher
degree studies in their
workplace?
2. What are the separate and joint effects of student gender and student age on their interests in
a higher degree?
3. Are there differences in the perceptions of full-time and part-time students towards the role
of their higher degree studies in the workplace?