Even though previous research stressed the importance of doctoral degree to the universities there is limited multi-case research that explores factors affecting postgraduate’s completion of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis in public and private Universities located in different settings. To fill this gap in the literature, a qualitative multi-case study into perspectives of six PhD students in two Ghanaian universities was conducted for a period of six months. One research question directed the study. The interpretivist philosophy informed the choice of the methodology. The students and the universities were purposively selected for the study. Data were gathered using semi-structured individual interviews. Both within and across interpretative analysis was used. The findings of the study revealed among others that students’ busy schedules at workplaces and supervisors inability to provide feedback on time delayed completion of PhD thesis within stipulated period. It was recommended that the Dean of graduate studies need to organize workshop on time-management for PhD students to enable them grasp the skill of balancing occupational and academic activities. Management of the universities should improve remuneration for thesis supervision to motivate supervisors to offer the necessary assistance to research students.
Keywords: Doctor of Philosophy, across case, dilemmas, multi-case, thesis
