Malaise of Academic Scholarship

“When you are in a hole, stop digging.” The wisdom of Will Rogers, American humorist, seems to be forgotten with respect to scholarly research in the arts, social sciences, business, and education. Why do doctoral candidates and professors produce scholarship that minimally advances knowledge and has no impact on producing educated and productive citizens? Rarely seen outside a closed club of scholars and journals, scholarly research serves only to demonstrate mastery of an art form that is not relevant in the mainstream of higher education. This book proposes reforms starting with the doctoral dissertation. The issue is that the dissertation’s over emphasis on obscure research undermines the subsequent scholarship expected of professors in our colleges and universities. This book discusses reforms in doctoral programs to improve the value of and process to complete a doctoral dissertation.

John Hampton’s book brings critical attention to the inefficiencies, problems and concerns that plaque the high attrition rate of doctoral students. The book identifies the need for scholarly research and inquiry to understand degree completion, and bring renewed national attention to this education issue confronting our nation. Higher education is held accountable for the success or failure of their institution. Prioritizing degree completion as a link to maximize student learning is key to ensuring student success., While I was fortunate to attend two highly-rated institutions of higher learning at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, I have come to believe that higher education is seriously broken and is no longer serving the needs of those being educated. The quality of the educational product is in decline while costs are skyrocketing. Dr. Hampton takes a good look at Academia and tackles some of the reasons for the decline. Often using a question/answer format along with illustrative stories, the book challenges the roles of academic research and doctoral dissertations and proposes a better way to educate future generations. This is a great read from a brave author., This book is effectively the “Cliff Notes” for doctoral candidates, as it advises them on the doctoral dissertation, its pitfalls, and how to avoid them. The book rings true, both from this reviewer’s own experience and the experiences of many friends and acquaintances. A key factor in successful completion of the dissertation is to note the program’s graduation rate and time required to complete the program. The stories in the book make the point, hard for enthusiastic young academics to grasp, that completion of the dissertation itself is key as the degree is the credential that launches one’s academic career. Professor Hampton himself has attained the “liberation period of scholarship” by his achievement as full professor and endowed chair in Finance, as well as his decision to mentor future academics by publishing his series critiquing higher education., I wish I had been able to read this book before deciding to pursue a PhD! It’s a must-read for anyone in academia or anyone who aspires to be. Peppered with interesting statistics and analyses of relevant trends, Hampton aptly points out issues of “academia as usual” and provides spot-on recommendations for navigating every part of the process of joining a college or university, from starting a PhD program, finishing it, and getting tenure. If I had read this book before starting my dissertation, I would have saved myself a year of re-writes. This book truly is packed with “wisdom, humor, and wonderful practicality.”, As an adjunct professor in a graduate clinical practice program, I’ve witnessed Ph.D colleagues not getting tenure after five years of hard work. I’m also surprised at the number of people who complete the coursework for a doctorate but never complete the dissertation. Dr. Hampton explains what’s happening in a clear and honest description of the research process and all the “steps in the dance.” It should be required reading for anyone considering pursuit of a doctoral degree. I have never seen anything comparable in print and I commend the effort to bring forward these issues and challenge those in positions of responsibility to effect change.

John J. Hampton is a Professor of Business at St. Peter’s University in New Jersey and a principal in the Princeton Consulting Group. He was dean of the schools of business at Seton Hall and Connecticut State universities, and provost of the College of Insurance and SUNY Maritime College in New York City.