ABSTRACT
Aspirant doctoral students may find comfort in, as the title of this chapter indicates, the description and explanation of ‘the’ doctoral process. Clearly marked pathways, which arguably suggest a degree of certainty, perhaps help students to feel more secure (Cutcliffe and Goward, 2000). However, the authors of this chapter purport that there is no one, singular doctoral process. The international ‘flavour’ of the authors and their resultant particularized experiences are testimony to this. Consequently, it would be remiss of the authors if they were to describe ‘the’ singular process of undertaking a doctorate. Such parochial conceptualizations are perhaps analogous to positing a singular ‘research process’ or a singular process for nurse preparation and registration.
