Measurement of Involvement Factors in Leisure Studies Doctoral Programs

Abstract

Scholars have stated that involvement is critical in the success of doctoral students, yet limited information and research has been conducted on involvement and its relationship to doctoral students. The purpose of this study was to obtain a better understanding of leisure studies doctoral student involvement patterns. The Doctoral Student Involvement Questionnaire (DSIQ) was developed as an assessment and evaluation instrument to measure leisure studies doctoral student involvement. The DSIQ was administered to 232 students in 18 doctoral granting institutions with a response rate or 53.7%.

Exploratory factor analysis using principle component analysis with Varimax rotation was performed on the 42 item scale to determine the latent structure of leisure studies doctoral student involvement. A four factor solution accounting for 49.9% of the total cumulative variance was retained. The four factors were labeled (1) peer and social, (2) faculty, (3) academic and professional, and (4) research. The results of this study indicate the involvement patterns of leisure studies doctoral students are similar to undergraduate students, yet also have some major differences. Similarities include the multi-dimensional structure of involvement, and the social, faculty, and research activity patterns. Differences include the dependence on the disciplines profession and the local academic department which guides many of the experiences and activities of doctoral students.