Navigating the Doctoral Programme: A Journey Metaphor in Heutagogical Context

Abstract

The journey towards a doctoral degree, the highest academic degree, is challenging. It is a journey full of emotions and experiences that provides a feeling of achievement and fulfilment. The doctoral research process is sometimes overwhelming, and scholars are lost in the wilderness of the activities. Navigating a social science doctoral programme, including the business and management streams, requires understanding the pathways and the nuances. This paper presents metaphors of the doctoral journey that helps scholars in developing a better mindset and plan an enriching journey. The methodology used is a qualitative- conceptual metaphor analysis. The study considers the heutagogical framework and develops analogies from the travel and tour domain and applies it to the doctoral programme. The paper compares self-guided tours, Driver Vs Passenger, Roller coaster, pilgrimage model and self-experience that the scholars need to take up in their doctoral journey.