Developing an electronic logbook to monitor progress for international doctoral students in Thailand: A pilot study

Abstract

© 2018, Walailak University. All rights reserved. Monitoring the progress of doctoral students is an important contributor to successful graduation within the curriculum timeline. Usage of an electronic logbook is needed to improve the quality and efficiency of education. The objective of this developmental research study was to develop an electronic logbook to monitor the progress of international doctoral students. The steps for creating the electronic logbook are described. Twenty-seven international doctoral students at the Faculty of Nursing of one university in Thailand used the electronic logbook for 3 months and provided feedback to the developers. Quantitative findings reported high to very high levels of satisfaction with the electronic logbook, regarding usefulness, convenience, speed, and ease of access. Qualitative findings also documented the electronic logbook’s strengths and benefits, as well as problems and obstacles. In conclusion, students found the electronic logbook useful and were satisfied with it. Widespread use of this innovative electronic logbook should be used to monitor student study progress.