---
description: >-
  Notes on section 5.4 of the paper "Why do women pursue a PhD in Computer
  Science?"
---

# Arguments against starting a PhD (quantitative analysis)

This analysis is based on the following single-choice survey questions:

* **Q36.** I am worried that PhD studies would negatively impact my future family plan (getting married, having kids,. . .).
* **Q37.** I have concerns that during my PhD studies, I would not have enough money to support my lifestyle.
* **Q38.** I have better job opportunities in the industry than at university.
* **Q39.** I am hesitant to start a PhD because of many factors and circumstances (e.g. career opportunities, flexibility, Likert working environment,. . .) are unclear to me.
* **Q40. I** think the industry offers more flexible career opportunities compared to the structured path of PhD studies.
* **Q41.** I am worried about the impact on my future career if I start but do not complete my PhD studies.
* **Q42.** I have reservations about making long-term job commitments for the whole PhD duration.
* **Q43.** I am afraid of being one of only a few females in a PhD group.

Table 9 is extended here with three columns making explicit the rank of the hypothesis, by p-value, the Holm-Bonferroni corrected significance level, and the Bonferroni corrected significance level.

<figure><img src="https://3284274210-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fotebf2a6jv4nmydcDOF6%2Fuploads%2F7dlZtJsPfR8h02m4F9oV%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=bc3c5100-f184-46ce-a0dd-bbdefefa841d" alt=""><figcaption><p>Extended table 9</p></figcaption></figure>

The detailed data analysis, including the Mann-Whitney U tests can be found in the Excel file `SurveyDataAnalysis`, on the sheet `RQ1-RQ2. MW-U Q12-Q54`.

To help in the interpretation of the data, the following chart summarises the results obtained for these questions. The data for this chart can be found in the Excel file `SurveyDataAnalysis`, on the sheet `RQ2. Q36-Q43Diagram`. The chart only presents a comparison for those questions where we found a statistically significant difference.

<figure><img src="https://3284274210-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fotebf2a6jv4nmydcDOF6%2Fuploads%2Fh8J7dCRHAbnjZxjWhjP2%2FRQ2%20Q39%20Q40%20Q42.png?alt=media&#x26;token=33e2e76b-2855-413a-8ebe-04b80f6871e3" alt=""><figcaption><p>The distribution of responses to questions related to participants’ perceptions of discouraging factors for pursuing a PhD with statistically signif- icant differences between those who chose to do a PhD and those who didn’t</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="danger" %}
Uncertainty about what it is like to do a PhD was the strongest discouraging factor for doing it, closely followed by a perception of lower job flexibility by participants who decided against starting a PhD. The long-term job commitment implied by starting a PhD may be a deterrent factor for some.
{% endhint %}
