Mapping Doctoral Research in Library and Information Science at Panjab University, Chandigarh: A Study Based on Student's Perceptions and Expectations

<p>The paper examines doctoral research in the library & information science discipline at Panjab University,<br>Chandigarh, based on student’s perceptions and expectations by posing several research questions. This study aimed<br>to gain insight into research scholar’s perspectives on earning a Ph.D. Based on primary data from 48 respondents<br>through a structured questionnaire in April 2018, the study tabulated, analysed and interpreted information to draw<br>inferences. As the study is limited to research scholars at the DLIS at Panjab University, the universe of the study<br>is relatively narrow. The study’s findings reveal that most respondents had a personal decision to get admitted to<br>the Ph.D. programme. However, there were cases where better job prospects, promotion in career, some practical<br>problems, and the advice of a friend/senior/teacher motivated them to join doctoral research. The Panjab University<br>was the first and last choice for the majority of respondents for doing a Ph.D. Two-thirds of respondents stated that<br>quality of doctoral research accomplished in the DLIS PU is good and applied, and three-fifthsbelieved that the<br>research quality has improved with time. Only one-fifth of respondentsfound quality of physical Infrastructure for<br>doctoral research work in the Department is of the best quality. Several respondents feel that doctoral research at<br>Panjab University and India, in general, still depends on research models applied in Western countries, especially<br>in the UK and USA. However, a group of respondents believed it is either struggling to have its own identity<br>or is a blend of Western and Oriental modes. Researchers will be encouraged to choose regionally relevant and<br>application-oriented topics.</p>