Investigating the Components of Research Mentoring Functions among Ph.D. Students Focusing on Synthesis Research

The present study aimed at formulating a framework for research mentoring functions among Ph.D. students using the qualitative synthesis research method. The research population included all related studies in international databases from 2000 to 2017. Given the forenamed studies, 83 studies were selected and examined after three stages of screening based on the subject, abstract, and content of the studies. Finally, 20 studies were purposefully chosen as the research sample. The research data were extracted and analyzed using the thematic analysis method. As a result, 128 basic themes were identified for the functions of research mentoring, which were categorized into 22 sub-components. Ultimately, the sub-components were categorized and presented in terms of five main items, including (1) relational function, (2) scientific and research function, (3) psychological function, (4) social function, and (5) professional function.