Rationale of Study

According to De Valero (2001), "Given the high costs associated with graduate education, the current national climate of diminishing resources for higher education, and an increased competition for these resources between undergraduate and graduate programs, understanding and examining the factors that affect students' ability to complete their degree requirements in a timely manner and considering the implications of these factors becomes crucial" (p. 341). In this regard, Neumann (2005) reports that, "The reasons for length of time to completion and non-completion rates are important considerations for universities and governments," and notes that: "Concerns about slow time to completion relate to the commitment of staff and other resources for extended periods, the desirability of concentrating graduate studies in a reasonable time period, the possibility that information obtained in the research may become obsolete before completion of the thesis, and delays in researchers moving on to other projects" (Neumann,...
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