Information for Participants

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the survey period?

The 2022 survey period will open on September 12 and close on September 23.

Who is invited to participate in the survey?

All students who began a Rackham Ph.D. program in Fall 2017 and beyond will receive an invitation to participate in the 2022 MDES survey.

Will I receive an incentive for participating?

Only invited students who complete the survey will receive an incentive. The incentive payment gift card will be sent within 10 to 15 business days of completing the survey.

Are answers to the survey confidential?

Yes, all survey data will be held confidential by the staff in the Rackham Graduate School Institutional Research Office. Only study team members will have access to identifying information. Specifically, identifiable data will not be accessed or shared with graduate departments/programs or Rackham leadership. When study team members analyze and report data, survey responses will be aggregated across respondents such that no one can be identified.

What will the survey data be used for?

Rackham implemented the Michigan Doctoral Experience Study (MDES) to examine how students develop over the entire trajectory of graduate study. Survey data is being collected to better understand the experience of doctoral students, and to inform graduate school leaders about potential ways in which Rackham and academic departments can better support the success of doctoral students.