Table 3 Benefits of pursuing a doctorate by the participants

Desire to further study one’s field of study and become an outstanding person in this field

1

0 (0)

3 (2.5)

18 (15.3)

45 (38.1)

52 (44.1)

13.37**

2

5 (1.3)

20 (5.2)

66 (17.2)

187 (48.8)

105 (27.4)

Yearn for the status of a doctoral graduate, or the socioeconomic status and a sense of achievement

1

2 (1.9)

2 (1.9)

23 (22.1)

44 (42.3)

33 (31.7)

12.51**

2

17 (5.0)

27 (8.0)

95 (28.1)

132 (39.1)

67 (19.8)

Regard a doctorate as the ultimate goal of personal study

1

1 (1.0)

3 (3.1)

13 (13.3)

35 (35.7)

46 (46.9)

20.76***

2

13 (3.9)

27 (8.1)

77 (23.2)

132 (39.8)

83 (25.0)

A doctorate is a basic requirement for desired work (e.g. teaching or research positions in universities)

1

0 (0)

2 (1.7)

13 (10.8)

37 (30.8)

68 (56.7)

13.45**

2

9 (2.4)

14 (3.7)

53 (14.1)

152 (40.5)

147 (39.2)

A doctorate is more competitive in the workplace, offering more opportunities for promotion and higher remuneration

1

0 (0)

2 (1.9)

17 (16.2)

38 (36.2)

48 (45.7)

28.42***

2

17 (4.8)

32 (9.0)

81 (22.8)

146 (41.0)

80 (22.5)

Being required for the work or by the working institution

1

1 (1.0)

2 (1.9)

11 (10.7)

30 (29.1)

59 (57.3)

27.79***

2

8 (2.4)

12 (3.6)

66 (19.5)

154 (45.6)

98 (29.0)

Regard pursuing a doctorate as a new life goal and experience

1

0 (0)

3 (0)

16 (15.5)

31 (30.1)

53 (51.5)

21.88***

2

8 (2.3)

26 (7.3)

77 (21.8)

144 (40.7)

99 (28.0)

Being encouraged by the master thesis supervisor

1

8 (8.9)

13 (14.4)

14 (15.6)

25 (27.8)

30 (33.3)

7.86

2

17 (5.4)

33 (10.5)

71 (22.7)

116 (37.1)

76 (24.3)

Being encouraged by family and a desire to meet the expectations of others

1

2 (2.2)

7 (7.9)

19 (21.3)

31 (34.8)

30 (33.7)

5.15

2

18 (5.8)

32 (10.3)

70 (22.6)

117 (37.7)

73 (23.5)