Factors leading to “Permanent ABD Status”: An exploration in Turkish higher education

Abstract

Doctoral education serves as the pinnacle of formal education, equipping academia with scholars and industry with a highly specialized workforce. In light of its rapidly expanding higher education system and economy, Türkiye has prioritized increasing the number of PhD holders in its recent governmental development plans. However, the dropout rate during the dissertation phase of doctoral education has surged to alarming levels, resulting in many individuals attaining permanent ABD (All But Dissertation) status. Due to legal constraints, completing their doctorate at another institution is not an option, thereby imposing significant burdens on individuals, institutions, and the national economy. In this context, this qualitative phenomenological study explores the factors that contribute to permanent ABD status by examining the experiences of fourteen individuals with permanent ABD status, alongside eight advisors and three directors of graduate schools. The findings reveal that challenges within the academic environment, personal value conflicts, and difficulties in self-management have significantly influenced the participants' progression to permanent ABD status. Adopting a comprehensive approach to address these issues is essential, necessitating targeted interventions at the institutional and national levels to alleviate their impact effectively.