Collaboration with dissertation chair associated with greater scholarship productivity during social work PhD training: a retrospective, cross-sectional study in the U.S

Ellie S. Wideman; Cole Hooley; Shih-Ying Cheng; Katherine Marçal; Yiqi Zhu; Yi Wang; Renee M. Cunningham-Williams; Shenyang Guo

doi:10.1080/02615479.2025.2469583

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Collaboration with dissertation chair associated with greater scholarship productivity during social work PhD training: a retrospective, cross-sectional study in the U.S

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Collaboration with dissertation chair associated with greater scholarship productivity during social work PhD training: a retrospective, cross-sectional study in the U.S

Ellie S. Wideman, Cole Hooley, Shih-Ying Cheng, Katherine Marçal, Yiqi Zhu, Yi Wang, Renee M. Cunningham-Williams and Shenyang Guo

Social work education, Vol.45(2), pp.367-381

03/2026

DOI: 10.1080/02615479.2025.2469583

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Abstract

Various disciplines have investigated factors associated with PhD student publication productivity. However, there is a dearth of research on factors related to scholarly productivity during social work PhD training. This retrospective, cross-sectional study explored correlates of scholarly productivity in a sample of early career PhD social work faculty members regarding publications during their PhD training (N = 58). We sent an electronic survey to early career social work faculty members asking about their PhD studies. We analyzed the data using negative binomial regression and logistic regression models. Outcome variables were the number of publications and whether respondents published with their dissertation chair. Findings indicated that publishing with a dissertation chair positively influenced scholarly productivity and that having a relationship with that chair prior to beginning a PhD program predicted collaboration. Collaboration with a dissertation chair is key to early scholarly success. Enhancing mentorship opportunities for PhD students with their dissertation chair is a promising target to improve productivity.

Social Work

Scholarly productivity

graduate education

mentorship

doctoral

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

gender

Details

Title: Subtitle: Collaboration with dissertation chair associated with greater scholarship productivity during social work PhD training: a retrospective, cross-sectional study in the U.S
Creators: Ellie S. Wideman - Maryville University
Cole Hooley - Brigham Young University
Shih-Ying Cheng
Katherine Marçal - Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Yiqi Zhu - Adelphi University
Yi Wang - University of Iowa
Renee M. Cunningham-Williams - Arizona State University
Shenyang Guo - Washington University in St. Louis
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Social work education, Vol.45(2), pp.367-381
DOI: 10.1080/02615479.2025.2469583
ISSN: 0261-5479
eISSN: 1470-1227
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Grant note: Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St LouisFrank J. Bruno Distinguished Professor of Social Work Research
We are grateful to the Frank J. Bruno Distinguished Professor of Social Work Research [disguised for review] for funding this study.
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 02/24/2025
Date published: 03/2026
Academic Unit: School of Social Work
Record Identifier: 9984795373002771

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