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Abstract
Earning a PhD is a complex process that complements the existing skills developed working in hospital or academic libraries. Two medical librarians who are now doctoral candidates, provide definitions of the PhD and reasons for pursuing this degree. Further, they present information on the three phases of earning a doctorate degree in the fields of Library and Information Studies (LIS) or Education—the coursework, comprehensive exams, and, the most difficult part, the dissertation process. They provide methods for survival, including selecting and cultivating advisors, creating a dissertation support group, and developing personal habits that help to assure success in this major initiative. The authors have shared their perceptions and personal motivations in the hope that these personal stories, complemented by the information and strategies about the PhD process, will be helpful both to those who are considering this major change in lifestyle and to those who support others undertaking this endeavor.
The authors thank especially Jason Blokhuis, Michelynn McKnight, Julie Sollenberger, and Kay Wellik for their editorial assistance. The authors, however, accept full responsibility for any errors or omissions.
Notes
1 Bernie Todd Smith is a doctoral candidate in the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester. Her program of study concentrates on leadership, thought, and policy and her dissertation addresses the integration of ethics into core courses in Library and Information Science. Tammy L. Mays is a doctoral student in the School of Library and Information Studies program at the University of Wisconsin–Madison focusing on consumer health, health literacy, and health disparities.