Which is better and why, PhD by research or coursework and research?

Both have their own advantages & disadvantages,  which is better is depending on a student's preference, research skill & experience.

Advantages of PhD by Research Only:

Advantages of PhD by Coursework & Research:

Hi, Amer,

It seems to me that "better" would best be understood in the context of a specific student. A highly motivated student provided library access, a comprehensive reading list, and an advisor would probably learn more and more quickly than progressing through coursework.

However, something like half of all doctoral students in the US who are in a coursework program fail to make the transition to independent researcher once they reach their dissertation phase. This suggests to me that many with the cognitive sills required to enter a doctoral program may not have the intrinsic motivation to complete without the supports of peer cohorts, interested instructors, and careful mentoring.

If all we had were "PhD by research" programs, we would have far fewer PhDs.

Ph.D. by research only affords researchers a great deal of time to engage in very fruitful research with robust findings which may not have been attained for research that needed more time for sound findings. Sometimes due to time restraints, researchers are forced to abridge the real scope of the Ph.D. research.

However, there are some Ph.D. students who have been enrolled in programmes but needs coursework, particularly, in research methodology to hone their skills in research since many are in deficit even after their M.A. or MPhil. In this case, taught courses may be helpful. Also, others divert a bit from the programme they read at the Masters level and may need some professional enlightenment in the new area at the Ph.D. level.

I advocate for the permittance of students to advance and pursue the same programme they pursued at the Masters level as their Ph.D. to be a highly polished scholar in the field. If this was the case generally, then a Ph.D. by research only would have been better. Researchers would get enough time to dig for the truth in their studies and may not abrupt findings because of time constraints.

For Ph.D. programmes whereby the students have entered in a new field and are deficit in some particular courses, there is the need to arrange courses for them to read to abreast them with the knowledge in the field, at least. For such students, there is the need to marry course work with research.

Thanks

Dickson Adom

None of these are suitable for every student. It is up to you whether enough of them apply to you. A PhD with a bit of coursework in the first year will help those who are crossing over into a discipline that they're not already deeply embedded in.

Thanks Mohammed 

Both have to be in single direction as it requires both research and guidelines..

Hi 

Undoubtedly, PhD by course work is the best. The accumulation of knowledge that students gain in PhD courses would never be compensated. Instructors usually do researches seasonally or yearly but the chance to read a large number of books as in the courses period will not repeat again. 

Liqaa 

We can not select any one of these two criterion! It depends on the academic strategy of the assigned university, and do not forget that many universities has its own program, but personally I preferred Ph.D. with coursework followed by research.

Regards,  

Which is better and why, PhD by research or coursework and research?

Both have their own advantages & disadvantages,  which is better is depending on a student's preference, research skill & experience.

Advantages of PhD by Research Only:

Advantages of PhD by Coursework & Research:

Both have merits and demerits. But whatever you choose it should be focused.

I completed my Master of Education with coursework plus a minor thesis. This was excellent preparation for my PhD by research, however as some others have commented, for a new topic, I think it would have been beneficial for me to complete some coursework at the beginning to help me clarify my question/s and direction.

I tried many different 'pathways' and methodologies that were rejected - this was beneficial for my personal knowledge and development, but only because I had the luxury of time - this is not the case these days.

And I never really did manage to settle on my 'area of expertise' because I was constantly trying to find the research area in which I 'belonged'. Perhaps some more guidance (through quality coursework) could have helped to direct me better at the early stages of my PhD.

So there is no 'easy' answer to this question, and flexibility of universities in paramount depending on the progress and needs of the individual researcher.

 Dear Dr. Kandil 

The student motivation is important factor 

Dear Fung

Thanks for this significant answer 

 Dear Dr. Liqaa

Thanks for your answer, but we do not deny that the coursework system may include some disadvantages such as lack of time to write the thesis. 

From my recent experiences, coursework based Ph.D. is a waste of time especially if you know the course. It may not add value. For example, I spent nearly 2 years in course work( very bad curriculum for nearly 10 courses). I had these courses in one way or other in my previous studies. Thus, it was boring and a waste of time for me.

Dr. Hailu

Thank you to explain your experience in this context. 

The very purpose of Coursework is to expose the Scholars to Prerequisites of his/her research work and therefore, coursework followed by research is good option. Earlier, there was lack of ICT tools and huge information available open source and in that sense, only research was enough. Now, time is changing fast, becoming technology savvy and hence coursework and along with research leading to PhD is justified. 

i think both

For Ph. D. one must pursue the course work as well as research. the quality of course work gives you a direction about the subject as well as the tools to be applied during the research. In My university it is mandatory for the fresher (M. Phil. scholars are exempt) to pursue a course work of six month duration that comprises a paper on research methodology and synopsis submission.

Regards

Dear Diaa

Thanks for your answer

Thanks Jeevan I agree with your answer. 

Personally, I believe that while practical experience in conducting research is very valuable, quality course work is very important as the PhD student becomes deeply immersed in theories and the application of theories to underpin research studies. Without this comprehension of theory and its applications, many research efforts might be flawed from the beginning of the effort. Having said that, I do think that the mentors and committee members who are involved in the final stages of the PhD journey need to have deep experience in research, and should be tested in research methodologies before they are put in those positions. In my work with PhD students, I have been shocked to see how deficient many of these "professionals" are in their knowledge and understanding of research methodologies. 

Thanks Ruth for your significant answer 

Ph. D. is the highest degree of Institute and its expected that a Ph. D. holder has a minimum basic knowledge(expertise) in the field of his/her work to be useful to the society. It is in this perspective course works(if properly executed) is of immense value.I say course work properly executed as I have feeling in my surroundings that its not always so sad but true.

Hi:The Master is the basis in most countries of the world and the PhD through research, so the knowledge visit depends on the researcher himself, not only through study.

I personally not to recommend taking a PhD by-research if you want to be an academic. Being lecturer you need more than just knowledge of your field, it need more other expertise which you can only gain during classes.

Superb discussion; it has been giving very useful insight.

I would prefer, PhD by research and course work.

Really appreciate what Hang Ping Fung has explained.

I believe, PhD by research and course work, will develop graduates with more sound theoretical and practical knowledge on research.

I agree. PhD by course work helps and equips a student and is guided to do research. PhD by research develops a student to fully understand the theories and its application in the real world. Both course work and research have benefits for the PhD student.

Both PhD program have their own strength, In my opinion PhD by research is most valuable if somebody want to join industry or scientist, other than that, people who looks for Professor/Lecturer should join PhD with Course work.

Vipn Sharma

thank you ,

I believe PhD should not be restricted to any particular stream/format.