Academic socialization process of doctoral students in University of Isfahan: a Grounded Theory study

The purpose of present study was to investigate the process of socialization of doctoral students. This research was carried out using qualitative approach, grounded theory and deep and semi-structured interview with 31 doctoral students and 9 faculty members at University of Isfahan. Findings indicated inefficiency and weakness of academic socialization in the doctoral programs. This problem is consequence of some causal conditions such as weakness in instructional and research systems, weakness of facultie's scientific socialization and poor quality of scientific relationships and collaboration among students. Moreover, weakness in scientific culture, problems related to the structure and policies of Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, and University of Isfahan were among contextual factors that contributed to the inefficiency of scientific socialization process. Motivational and value system of students for attending doctoral degree were intermediary factor that intensify inefficiency of scientific socialization process. Students are categories in three classes: students with plan, passive students and legitimizing students. Brain drain, absence of scientific interest, feeling of frustration and powerlessness, and scientific anomie and immorality were consequences that each group of students was more or less experienced.