2019 acs graduate Student Survey Report

3.3 Contextual Factors (Advisors and Mentors, Resources, Support & Satisfaction) 
Graduate students receive their education and training in unique environments. The success 
and satisfaction of each graduate education experience is shaped by many factors. Factors span 
everything from psychological support from family, friends, faculty advisors, mentors, depart-
ments, and institutions to the availability of benefits, regulated leave times, internship and in-
ternational opportunities, and appropriate financial support. In this section, we will describe the 

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Table 3.2.2. Doctoral Students’ Self-Reported Core Competency Ratings (n=1,924) 
Competency 
Develop Scientific and Technological Literacy and
Conduct Original Research 
Developed deep specialized expertise in chemistry or 
chemical engineering. (n=1,920) 
3.94 (0.88)
Acquired sufficient trans-disciplinary literacy to suggest multiple conceptual 
and methodological approaches to a complex problem. (n=1,920) 
3.80 (0.92)
Able to identify an important problem and articulate an original 
research question. (n=1,918) 
3.87 (0.88)
Able to design a research strategy, including relevant quantitative, analytical, or 
theoretical approaches, to explore components of the problem and begin to
address the question. (n=1,920) 
3.99 (0.84)
Able to evaluate outcomes of each experiment or study component and 
select which outcomes to pursue and how to do so through an
iterative process. (n=1,919) 
4.04 (0.80)
Adopted rigorous standards of investigation and acquired mastery of the 
quantitative, analytical, technical, and technological skills required to
conduct successful research in the field of study. (n=1,915) 
3.94 (0.86)
Learned and are able to apply professional norms and practices of the scientific
or engineering enterprise, the ethical responsibilities of scientists and engineers 
within the profession and in relationship to the rest of society, as well as ethical
standards which will lead to principled character and conduct. (n=1,918) 
4.08 (0.84)