THE GRADUATE STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND SUBSCRIPTION TO THE NORMS OF SCIENCE

This paper examines the normative orientations of doctoral students wi th respect to academic research. In particular, it analyzes the effect s of graduate department structure, department climate, and students' mentoring experiences on students' subscription to the traditional nor ms of science and to alternative counternorms. Findings are based on d ata from a nationwide survey of students in chemistry, civil engineeri ng, microbiology, and sociology. The analysis demonstrates substantial ambivalence among graduate students about the traditional norms of ac ademic research. It also reveals significant differences in the normat ive orientations of U.S. and international students.