Abstract
In the face of contemporary world requirements, the demand for a research degree is highly aggravated. In order to fulfill the growing demand academia enrolled candidates with such distinctive characteristics like self-motivated, long studying/working stamina coupled with strong family support. The failures of such distinguish characteristics students postulate long-lasting effect on society in general and academia in particular. This study was conducted to identify factors that affect research students’ performance with regard to the timely completion of a research degree. Students enrolled for a research degree in KPK universities were considered population i.e. 963 and a stratified sampling technique was used for sample selection. Total 275 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents and 246 were received back. AMOS-24 and SPSS-20 software were used for analysis that includes EFA, CFA and SEM. The study found that individual background-cum-personal traits, advisor support and organization support are the factors affecting students’ performance. Further found a significant positive relationship between identified factors and research degree completion. All stakeholders play their role to support research scholars and educational institutes arrange training sessions for advisors also monitor their schedules and not engage them in teaching activities. Equipped research lab/centers with advanced technologies and ensure access to research students. The criteria of HEC in terms of advisor v/s scholars’ ratio may also be maintained. Further research studies may be conducted to examine other host factors affecting research students’ performance in different contents and contexts.