The research is a national study of educational research in Australia, with particular emphasis

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 
Commented [UoN1]: 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?