Women in Research Degree Programmes: An Exploratory Study of IGNOU Learners

Manjulika  Srivastava; Navita  Abrol; Shekhar  Suman

Manjulika Srivastava Director, Centre for Internal Quality Assurance, IGNOU, New Delhi, India
Navita Abrol Assistant Director, Centre for Internal Quality Assurance, IGNOU, New Delhi, India
Shekhar Suman Assistant Director, Centre for Internal Quality Assurance, New Delhi, India

Keywords: Women | Researchers | Research Degree | Gender Studies | IGNOU

Abstract

Purpose: There is still a large disparity between women and men pursuing higher education in India despite extensive increase in women’s enrollment after 1975, the International Year for Women. Women learners who are enrolled and awarded a PhD degree in India over the last ten years are the focus of this study. This study examines the perceptions of IGNOU PhD women learners towards research as a profession and the challenges they faced during their PhD programmes.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Documentary analysis method of research was employed to find out the status of women in research degree programmes. This empirical study used an online survey method to collect data, using a self-structured questionnaire with a few open-ended questions.

Findings: The study revealed that 80% of the women researchers were confident in their ability to pursue research as a career, and 92.3% were satisfied with the overall IGNOU’s research degree programme experience.

Originality/Value: There has been a marked improvement in the enrollment rate of women in higher education, including PhD programmes. It is undeniable that the gender gap has narrowed, but it still remains a long way off from reaching parity.

Paper Type: Case Based Study