Barriers encountered by doctoral nursing students during their research studies and their strategies for overcoming them: A qualitative study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the barriers experienced by doctoral nursing students during their research studies. An additional aim was to explore the strategies used to overcome these barriers. It can be a very challenging endeavour for doctoral nursing students to complete their research studies. During their research studies, doctoral students encounter various barriers that impede the progress of their studies. The study design was qualitative, and data were collected through individual interviews with seven doctoral nursing students at one university in Sweden between September and the end of November 2014. The data revealed seven themes illustrating barriers and strategies used by the doctoral nursing students to overcome these barriers: 1) difficulties in defining concepts, 2) intellectual struggles with qualitative analysis, 3) lack of control during the recruitment process, 4) missing a more research-oriented environment, 5) interruption to study focus when combining research and work, 6) lack of motivation, and 7) feeling powerless during supervision. In conclusion, this study illustrates the importance of facilitating good relationships between doctoral nursing students, their supervisors and faculty as a possible way of reducing barriers during research studies. These findings could be of help in the development of better learning environments for doctoral nursing students.