Constructing the Doctoral Graduate Attribute Scale (DGAS-10): A South African higher education initiative
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20853/40-4-7080Keywords:
doctoral graduate attributes, doctoral education and training, scale construction, Delphi, higher education capacitation, postgraduate education and trainingAbstract
The Council on Higher Education (CHE) has identified nine doctoral graduate attributes as degree outcomes, yet a recent doctoral review highlighted that these attributes are not well understood in the sector, hindering their development. While doctoral assessment primarily occurs through thesis examination, there is a gap in contextually relevant tools to support ongoing attribute development in South Africa. The Doctoral Graduate Attribute Scale (DGAS-10) was developed to address this need, allowing doctoral scholars to reflect on their attribute development. This article reports on the DGAS-10’s construction and preliminary validation through a three-round Delphi study with thirteen experts with experience in doctoral education and scale development. The iterative process resulted in refined domain and subdomain definitions and items. The scale provides a useful tool for supporting doctoral education in the South African context, and the rigorous development may guide the creation of similar tools for other degree levels or contexts.
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