Ðóñ Eng Cn Translate this page:
Please select your language to translate the article


You can just close the window to don't translate
Library
Your profile

Back to contents

Sociodynamics
Reference:

The study of socio-demographic characteristics and professional strategies of graduate students of the Far East based on the results of a questionnaire survey

Argylov Nikita Antonovich

ORCID: 0000-0003-3600-3193

PhD in Politics

Researcher, Department of Ethnosociology, Institute for Humanities Research and Indigenous Studies of the North, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

677027, Russia, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Yakutsk, Petrovsky str., 1

nik-argylov@yandex.ru

DOI:

10.25136/2409-7144.2024.8.69412

EDN:

ALZIAK

Received:

22-12-2023


Published:

13-09-2024


Abstract: This article presents the results of a questionnaire survey of the social well-being of graduate students of federal universities and scientific institutes in Vladivostok (Primorsky Krai) and Yakutsk (Sakha Republic). The purpose of the work is to identify problematic aspects of the professional realization of graduate students in the Far Eastern region, taking into account the point of view of the students themselves. The paper analyzes the basic educational characteristics of students in graduate school, their socio-demographic characteristics, as well as academic and career plans. Typical problems for postgraduate studies in the Far East are outlined. The conducted research confirms the problematic aspects of modern Russian postgraduate studies noted in most researches: weak financial support for graduate students, a significant proportion of those who refuse to make their PhD dissertations, uncertainty in the implementation of professional strategies. At the same time, it is noted that a considerable number of graduate students strive to ensure the staffing of educational and scientific institutions. A sociological mass online survey of students of universities and research institutes of the Far East, using the example of institutions in Vladivostok and Yakutsk. Our survey identified the socio-demographic characteristics that need to be taken into account when planning to improve the effectiveness of postgraduate education in the Far East and in Russia. The problematic aspects of the social well-being of graduate students noted by us, on the one hand, confirm the judgments of researchers about the typical difficulties of students in graduate school. On the other hand, in our opinion, there is a positive potential in graduate schools in the Far East, which can be used as a sure start to improve postgraduate education. Thus, our conclusions are substantially consistent with the results of the study made by A.V. Shapieva (it was conducted in 2021-2022 on the basis of Zabaikalsky State University): "... the presented analysis shows that the Far East faces a serious challenge... At the same time, educational organizations of higher education in the Far Eastern Federal District have significant potential..." [Shapieva, 2022: 175]. The continuation of our work should be the correlation of the data obtained during the survey with statistical studies of the state of Russian postgraduate studies in general and in certain regions.


Keywords:

postgraduate study, higher education, career, employment, Far East, thesis defense, well-being, Russian Graduate School, improving postgraduate studies, training of personnel

This article is automatically translated. You can find original text of the article here.

Introduction

The directions of higher education training (bachelor's and master's degrees) suggest the possibility of further development of the student at the stage of training higher pedagogical personnel – postgraduate studies. It is known from open sources about problems in the organization of higher professional education, which is an indicator of problems in the development of scientific potential in Russia. There are judgments about the poor quality of admission to graduate school, scientific leadership, as well as insufficient financial support for graduate students.

The presence of specific problems indicates systemic deficiencies. According to the researchers, "Russia is among the group of countries with low performance indicators of postgraduate programs, and the pronounced trend towards their further decline indicates the presence of systemic problems in Russian postgraduate studies" [Bagdasaryan et al., 2022: 377]. It has become traditional to talk about the crisis of postgraduate studies [Terentyev et al., 2018] and its "dysfunctionality" [Rybakov et al., 2017: 119].

In order to contribute to the creation of an analytical base for overcoming the problems of modern postgraduate studies, we conducted a questionnaire survey[1], the purpose of which was to identify professional strategies and social well-being of graduate students of federal universities and scientific institutes in Vladivostok (Primorsky Krai) and Yakutsk (Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)) and their opinion on the state of modern scientific and professional training of highly qualified personnel.

Undoubtedly, the policy of forming centers for the training of scientific personnel, federal universities and scientific institutes of the Primorsky Territory and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) should first of all take into account current analytical data, and then prospective development. This survey, its structure and analytical results can serve as a model for conducting similar studies in other regions of our country.

The degree of development of the topic

It is worth saying that in the array of works devoted to the study of the problems of modern Russian postgraduate studies, the Far Eastern segment is extremely poorly affected. The issues of reproduction of scientific personnel in the Far Eastern region are discussed in articles by N. A. Argylov [Argylov, 2021, 2022], E. V. Krasova [Krasova, 2019], A.V. Shapieva [Shapieva, 2022], L. I. Gallyamova and V. G. Makarenko [Gallyamova et al., 2011].

A.V. Shapieva emphasizes that the last decades have been marked by a deterioration in the state of postgraduate studies in the Far East: the number of scientific personnel is decreasing, their age structure (aging of personnel) and social status are deteriorating, scientific continuity is being destroyed, and the interest of young people in scientific research has decreased. Government measures to improve postgraduate studies at both the local and federal levels have failed to reverse the negative trends noted above. The researcher notes the special relevance of these problems for the Far East: "For universities of the Far East, this problem is even more relevant, since the socio-economic situation of the macroregion, the predominantly depressed state of the economy, infrastructural constraints, difficult climatic conditions and a low level of quality of life contribute to the migration outflow of talented youth, which is one of the main constraining factors of socio-economic development development of the Far Eastern Federal District" [Shapieva, 2022: 164]. At the same time, we must not forget about the importance of improving postgraduate education in the region, given the proximity of the Far Eastern District to fast-growing Asian economies, as well as competitive national and global markets.

E. V. Krasova notes the following problems among the problems typical for training the personnel potential of Far Eastern science: 1) insufficient presence of the Far Eastern Federal District in the total number of scientists and researchers in Russia; 2) low number of research teams in the region; 3) personnel aging; 4) reduction in the number of graduate students, as well as those who successfully defended their dissertations; 5) low wage growth rates for researchers in comparison with national indicators, taking into account the simultaneous a decrease in the real purchasing power of the salary received due to the economic specifics of the region; 6) a decrease in the number of dissertation councils. According to the researcher, in the Far Eastern Federal District "there are weak external and internal incentives for the reproduction and development of the personnel potential of the Research Institute of the region" [Krasova, 2019: 189].

The rest of the research reveals problems common to Russian postgraduate studies, which, of course, are relevant to the process of training graduate students in the Far East. In some works, we find a desire to take into account the opinions of graduate students themselves in the process of developing solutions to these problems: N. V. Rybakova [Rybakov, 2018], N. B. Bagdarasyan, T.V. Valueva [Bagdasaryan, 2022], S. K. Bekova and Z.I. Jafarova [Bekova et al., 2019], I. A. Gruzdeva and E. A. Terentyeva [Gruzdev et al., 2017], G. F. Shafranova-Kutseva and G. Z. Efimova [Shafranov-Kutsev, 2012].

The discussion about the problematic aspects of postgraduate studies in Russia has a long history. However, to this day, the lack of an empirical base remains relevant, which is necessary for a more correct definition of ways to solve existing problems. The researchers are convinced that "the need for regular sociological surveys is becoming obvious, providing managers with reliable information about the life of graduate students" [Gruzdev et al., 2017: 95]. This practice is actively used abroad: "A data-based management culture is penetrating foreign universities along with the ideology of new managerialism, which involves the transfer of corporate governance practices to universities. Among them are accountability requirements and a focus on quantifiable indicators" [Gruzdev et al., 2017: 90].

Some authors note that the lack of "systematically organized empirical data" at one time largely predetermined the emergence of problematic aspects in the reform of postgraduate studies [Bedny et al., 2020: 76]. Reliable empirical data are not available on all topics related to postgraduate studies, there is no well-established system of regular and systematic static study of the situation: "It can be stated that there is no system for conducting sociological surveys of graduate students that could become a complementary part for the collected statistical information" [Gruzdev, 2017: 90]. S. V. Zhuchkova also emphasizes that "due to the lack of empirical data on postgraduate experience, it is impossible to identify and eliminate the causes of the low performance of postgraduate studies observed over the past few years" [Zhuchkova, 2021: 98]. In this context, the present study is an important link in the accumulation of the necessary statistical base.

Research methodology. General characteristics of the questionnaire

The group of respondents was selected based on the comparability of important criteria, including the ratio of gender and marital status. Other information from the survey reflects the main trends in professional and social aspects, as well as regional peculiarities related to postgraduate education. 163 graduate student respondents participated in the survey, the main characteristics of which were presented as follows:

· By gender: 55% female, 45% male;

· by age: 9% are 18-24 years old, 53% are 25-29 years old, 16% are 30-34 years old, 10% are 35-39 years old, 8% are 40-49 years old, 2% are 50-59 years old and less than 1% are 60 years old and above.

· Sample characteristics: 5;

· by gender: 5% – women, 45% – men;

· by institution: The questionnaire was sent to all scientific institutions of the FITC "YANC SB RAS", FSBI "FEB RAS" and to two universities: the Northeastern Federal University named after M.K. Ammosov and the Far Eastern Federal University;

· according to the form of tuition fees: 68% study on a budgetary basis, 24% on a commercial basis, and 8% on a target basis.

This article will summarize the first part of the questionnaire survey conducted by us, which contains information about the basic educational characteristics of graduate students, socio-demographic parameters of the respondents, as well as their academic and career plans.

Basic educational characteristics

Thus, the majority of respondents have a basic education in mathematics and natural sciences – 36%, and a comparable number of graduate students are also studying in this direction – 36%; 19% and 15%, respectively, in engineering; 17% and 15% – in the humanities; 17% and 23% – in fields of education and pedagogical sciences.

It should be noted that the emphasis on technical education is dictated by the sectoral structure of the Far East and Yakutia, which are significant for the regional economy.

Education of the respondents

Basic

Postgraduate study

Number (people)

%

Number (people)

%

Mathematics and Natural sciences

59

36

59

36

Engineering, technology and technical sciences

30

19

25

15

Humanities

28

17

25

15

Education and pedagogical sciences

28

17 

38

23

Medical Sciences

7

4

4

3

Social Sciences

7

4

6

4

Other

4

3

6

4

Small quantitative discrepancies between the directions of basic education and postgraduate studies can be considered "delayed". A certain number of respondents enrolled in graduate school with a large time gap after graduation from the university. At the same time, a significant proportion of graduate students are aged 25-29 years. The years of graduation from educational institutions by our respondents are shown below.

What year did you graduate from the university

Quantity

(people)

%

The 1990s

3

2

2000-2005

7

4

2006-2010

14

8

2011-2015

31

19

2016

9

5

2017

18

11

2018

12

7

2019

25

15

2020

25

15

2021

13

8

2022

3

2

It is important to note that the respondents are in different courses of study. Most of the surveyed graduate students (31%) are enrolled in the 1st year. The main contingent of respondents (51%) are graduate students of 2-3 years of study.

Considering the data on the university where the respondents received basic higher education, it should be noted that more than half (52%) graduated from the Northeastern Federal University named after M.K. Ammosov (NEFU). In general, there is a tendency to receive education at local universities and to continue postgraduate studies at the same institutions where basic higher education was obtained. At least, this is the picture of respondents who study at NEFU.

The educational institutions that the respondents graduated from are shown below.

The university you graduated from (without abbreviations)

Quantity

(people)

%

Northeastern Federal University named after M.K. Ammosov (NEFU)

86

52

Without specifying the university

35

21

Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU)

25

14

University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

1

less than 1

Amur State Medical Academy (ASMA)

1

Less than 1

Bashkir State Pedagogical University named after M. Akmulla (BSPU)

1

Less than 1

Blagoveshchensk State Pedagogical University (BSPU)

1

Less than 1

Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service (VSUES)

1

Less than 1

Arctic State Agrotechnological University (AGATU-YAGSHA)

3

2

Diplomatic Academy-MGIMO University The Russian Foreign Ministry

1

Less than 1

Far Eastern State Agrarian University (DGAU)

2

1

Kazan State Medical University (KSMU)

1

Less than 1

Kazan State Energy University (KGEU)

1

Less than 1

Bauman Moscow State Technical University (MGTU)

1

Less than 1

Nizhny Tagil State Professional College named after Nikita Akinfievich Demidov (NTIPK)

1

Less than 1

Saint Petersburg State Maritime State Technical University (SPbGMTU)

1

Less than 1

The Yakut Institute of Water Transport is a branch of the Siberian State University of Water Transport (YIVT)

1

Less than 1

In accordance with No. 273-FZ "On Education in the Russian Federation", the training of highly qualified personnel is carried out at the expense of budgetary funds, on a commercial basis, or represents a targeted recruitment. Thus, more than half of the respondents study on a budgetary basis (68%). At the same time, it is noteworthy that there are graduate students studying on a commercial basis (24%) and on a target basis (8%), which implies a close connection with the potential place of work for the latter.

The predominant form of postgraduate study is full–time (77% of respondents). 23% of respondents study by correspondence, respectively.

In general, the direction of higher education (basic) training determines the further direction of training highly qualified personnel with a focus on the need for training personnel important for the development of the regional economy.

The main socio-demographic characteristics

The survey data were also ranked by the sources of income of graduate students, the main of which are: salary for the main job (84%), scholarship (15%), additional work (23%), income from financial investments (less than 1%). In some cases, there may be several sources of income, and therefore in this survey it was acceptable to specify several answers.

Regardless of the form of study, graduate students earn extra money, which allows them to have additional income to the scholarship (in the case of a budget form of study).

Considering the financial situation of graduate students, it should be noted that their financial capabilities are quite modest. Thus, according to the declarative statements of the respondents, 63% of the respondents can provide themselves with food and clothing, but only 24% can afford to buy additional household appliances. 22% of graduate students provide themselves only with food, and 4% have difficulties even with food. Only 2% do not experience financial difficulties.

Evaluate your financial capabilities

Quantity

(people)

%

Enough for food, clothes, but the purchase of durable goods and household appliances

64

39

There is enough money to buy large household appliances, but to buy a car you need to save money or take out a loan

39

24

There is enough for food, but buying clothes is already causing difficulties

37

22

There are enough earnings for everything except for the purchase of such things as a cottage and an apartment

12

7

Sometimes I can't even provide myself with food

7

4

I do not experience financial difficulties, if necessary, I can buy a cottage or an apartment

3

2

No comments

1

Less than 1

Of those graduate students who work in addition to studying, their predominant share works in scientific institutes (48%) and universities (6%). The fact that a significant part of graduate students work in institutes and universities confirms their motivation and focus on learning.

87% of the respondents had already worked before entering graduate school. This is due to the fact that some of the future graduate students either did not plan to continue their studies and came to this conclusion already in the process of work, or postponed admission to graduate school for personal reasons and got a job temporarily.

Did you work before you entered graduate school

Quantity

(people)

%

Yes

142

87

No

21

13

The majority of the respondents (53%) have a work experience of one to 5 years). As a rule, these are those who plan further studies, but for various reasons, they postpone admission to graduate school and go to work. 22% have experience from 6 to 10 years, and for them, admission to graduate school is rather a conscious choice in order to advance their work: both in the scientific and educational environment, civil service, etc., and in the field of the manufacturing sector. 12% of the respondents have at least 16 years of experience and, having extensive practical experience, often undergo training for subsequent teaching at the university, as well as for solving production tasks during dissertation research.

The range of fields of industrial activity of future graduate students is diverse, but scientific institutions dominate – 22% of respondents, as well as 7% – institutions of higher education. Such graduate students, as a rule, are focused on postgraduate studies for subsequent work in the scientific and educational field. 14% worked in the manufacturing sector, and it is logical to assume that postgraduate studies will help them in their career growth.18% worked in the catering industry and 12% in the service sector, i.e. in areas that are traditionally focused on part-time work for young people (flexible working hours, pay at the end of the shift, etc.).

If you have worked, please indicate where

Quantity

(people)

%

scientific institution

31

22

in the catering industry

25

18

institutions of the manufacturing sector (industry, energy)

20

14

in the service sector

20

12

institutions of school and pre-school education

16

11

institution of higher education

11

7

institution of secondary vocational education

8

5

cultural and leisure institutions

8

5

institutions of state and municipal service

6

4

as an entrepreneur

2

1

other

3

2

Marital status of respondents: married (legal and civil) – 50% and those who are single / unmarried / divorced – also 50%. The survey data show that the presence or absence of marriage does not affect the desire and opportunity to study in graduate school in any way.

Only 37% of the respondents have children, but it is quite difficult to objectively interpret this factor, given that more than half of the survey participants are quite young (aged 25-29 years) and have not yet had children at that age.

Do you have any children:

Quantity

(people)

%

Yes

61

37

No

102

63

22% of the respondents have one child each, confirming the general trend of fertility in the country. 9% of respondents have two children each. At the same time, about 6% have 3 or more children, and probably have the status of large families.

If you have children, please indicate how many of them there are

Quantity

(people)

%

1

36

22

2

15

9

3

6

3

4

1

Less than 1

5

1

Less than 1

6

1

Less than 1

An important aspect of postgraduate studies is the work on a dissertation research. The process of writing a dissertation is quite laborious and requires a lot of time. Research shows that the majority of respondents (58%) devote less than 30% of the time recommended for dissertation research; 15% of respondents devote more time to preparation and 15% have not yet started research.

Academic and career plans

Considering academic plans for the future, it is worth noting that the vast majority of graduate students (67%) plan to graduate with the subsequent defense of their dissertation. 17% will not defend their research work, and 11% have not yet decided on a choice.

Analyzing the career plans of the interviewed graduate students, it can be concluded that 31% of respondents plan to work in higher education (or are already working), while 29% in the field of science and technology. Consequently, the majority of students in graduate school realize the task of training scientific personnel for the educational and scientific system. But at the same time, 40% do not plan to link their future with science (20% of them are completely uncertain about choosing a future profession).

It is noteworthy that 63% of respondents plan to live and work in their "own" region, and 16% of respondents want to leave, but do not have such an opportunity.

What field do you plan to associate your future work with?

Quantity

(people)

%

in the field of higher education

50

31

I work in the field of science and technology

47

29

I find it difficult to answer

33

20

I will take a job that is not related to science and teaching

23

14

I will open a business (own a business) in the field of science and high technology

5

3

tutoring

1

Less than 1

by profession

1

Less than 1

I'll probably have to combine working on the side and teaching

1

Less than 1

I will continue to work at the university in the administrative block, having received a promotion

1

Less than 1

with nature protection, tourism

1

Less than 1

The vast majority of graduate students plan to complete postgraduate studies with the subsequent defense of their dissertation work. The career plans of the majority of respondents are indicated in the field of higher education, as well as in the field of science and technology, but at the same time about 40% do not plan to link their future with science. It is important to note that more than half of the respondents plan to live and work in their "own" region.

Conclusions

Our survey showed that postgraduate studies in the educational and scientific institutions we reviewed have a quantitative advantage in favor of natural sciences and technical sciences. The respondents mostly prefer to receive higher education in regional universities and continue their studies in postgraduate studies at the same educational institutions. Most often, graduate students receive training at budget places, having full-time education as a priority. Most graduate students are childless. Half of the respondents are married, the same number are divorced or single (unmarried).

As a source of income, the bulk of the respondents have a salary for their main job (taking into account the possibility of combining it with a scholarship and salary for additional work). Most of the respondents combine work and study, a significant part of them worked before entering graduate school. The income level of graduate students allows most of them to provide themselves with food and clothing, but in addition, for example, less than half of this group can buy the necessary household appliances. A significant percentage of graduate students can only provide themselves with food. Only 2% of the respondents noted that they do not experience financial difficulties.

A significant number of graduate students plan to complete their studies and then defend their dissertation. Considering the problems of modern postgraduate studies, it is worth noting that a fairly significant percentage indicated a lack of intention to defend the final qualifying work or a lack of certainty in this regard. It is noteworthy that a significant number of graduate students do not want to link their future with science or do not have clear intentions in this regard. Most of the respondents do not plan to move to another region: many of them openly wish to continue their work in their "own" region, while some of them are forced to do so.

Our survey identified the socio-demographic characteristics that need to be taken into account when planning to improve the effectiveness of postgraduate education in the Far East and in Russia. The problematic aspects of the social well-being of graduate students noted by us, on the one hand, confirm the judgments of researchers about the typical difficulties of students in graduate school. On the other hand, in our opinion, there is a positive potential in graduate schools in the Far East, which can be used as a sure start to improve postgraduate education. So, our conclusions are substantially consistent with the results of the study, which A.V. Shapieva speaks about (it was conducted in 2021-2022 on the basis of Zabaikalsky State University): "... the presented analysis shows that the Far East faces a serious challenge... At the same time, educational organizations of higher education in the Far Eastern Federal District have significant potential..." [Shapieva, 2022: 175]. The continuation of our work should be the correlation of the data obtained during the survey with statistical studies of the state of Russian postgraduate studies in general and in certain regions.

[1] The questionnaire is available at: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Hfk_qw_hXkKxdztFSK27Ybn_evgvSvJPjK58o9KhRztUN1VNVzNESjZETVFaUU5FUjQ5VkFZOVhCUi4u

References
1. Argylov, N.A. (2022). Reproduction of highly qualified personnel in the Far East: a quantitative analysis. Bulletin of the Transbaikal State University, 28(7), 52-62. Retrieved from https://www.doi.org/ 10.21209/2227-9245-2022-28-7-52-62
2. Argylov, N.A. (2021). On the issue of the reproduction of scientific personnel in the Russian Far East. Theory and practice of social development, 12(166), 15-22. Retrieved from https://www.doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.24158/tipor.2021.12.1/
3. Bagdasar'jan, N.G., & Balueva, T.V. (2022). Postgraduate studies at a regional university: problems and solutions. Public opinion monitoring: economic and social changes, 5(171), 373-393. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.14515/monitoring.2022.5.2200
4. Bednyj, B.I., & Rybakov, N.V. (2020). Youth in Science: Problems and Prospects for the Development of Russian Postgraduate Studies. Nizhnij Novgorod: Research Sociological Center, 62-84. Retrieved from https://doi.org/l0.31992/0869-3617-2020-29-10-9-28
5. Bekova, S.K., & Dzhafarova, Z.I.K. (2019). Who should live well in graduate school: the relationship of employment of graduate students with the process and learning outcomes. Questions of education, 1, 87-108. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.17323/1814-9545-2019-1-87-108
6. Galljamova, L.I., & Makarenko, V.G. (2011). Interaction of higher education and academic science in the field of training specialists in the Russian Far East: modernity and prospects. Russia and the Asia-Pacific Region, 1, 127-137.
7. Gruzdev, I.A., & Terent'ev, E.A. (2017). Data against myths: results of a sociological study of graduate students from leading universities. Higher education in Russia, 7, 89-97.
8. Zhuchkova, S.V. (2021). Evidence-based development of postgraduate studies: a landscape of research on postgraduate experience. University management: practice and analysis, 25(2), 98-113. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.15826/umpa.2021.02.017
9. Krasova, E.V. (2019). Trends and problems in the development of the personnel potential of the research infrastructure of the Far Eastern Federal District. Territory of new opportunities. Bulletin of the Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service, 11(4), 180-192. Retrieved from https://doi.org/dx.doi.org/10.24866/VVSU/2073-3984/2019-4/180-192
10. Rybakov, N.V., & Bednyj, B.I. (2017). Problematic field in the study of Russian postgraduate studies: educational and sociological approaches. Bulletin of the Nizhny Novgorod University, 2(46), 113-121.
11. Rybakov, N.V. (2018). Modern Model of Russian Postgraduate Studies: A Pilot Study of the First Graduation. Higher Education in Russia, 7, 86-95. Retrieved from https://doi.org/l0.31992/0869-3617-2018-27-7-86-95
12. Terent'ev, E.A., Bekova, S.K., & Maloshonok N.G. (2018). The Crisis of Russian Postgraduate Studies: Sources of Problems and Opportunities to Overcome Them. University management: practice and analysis, 22(5 (117)), 54-66. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.15826/umpa.2018.05.049
13. Shapieva, A.V. (2022). Reproduction of scientific personnel in the Far East. Humanist of the South of Russia. Humanist of the South of Russia, 11(6), 161-179. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.18522/2227-8656.2022.6.9
14. Shafranov-Kutsev, G.F., & Efimova, G.Z. (2012). Research potential and social well-being of graduate students. Bulletin of Tyumen State University, 8, 68-79.

Peer Review

Peer reviewers' evaluations remain confidential and are not disclosed to the public. Only external reviews, authorized for publication by the article's author(s), are made public. Typically, these final reviews are conducted after the manuscript's revision. Adhering to our double-blind review policy, the reviewer's identity is kept confidential.
The list of publisher reviewers can be found here.

The subject of the research in the presented article is the socio-demographic characteristics and professional strategies of graduate students of the Far East. General scientific methods such as analysis, categorization method, descriptive method were used as the methodology of the subject area of research in this article, and a questionnaire survey was used as the main method. The relevance of the article is beyond doubt, since the areas of higher education (bachelor's and master's degrees) suggest the possibility of further development of the student at the stage of training higher pedagogical personnel – postgraduate studies. It is known from open sources about problems in the organization of higher professional education, which is an indicator of problems in the development of scientific potential in Russia. There are judgments about the poor quality of admission to graduate school, scientific leadership, as well as insufficient financial support for graduate students. The presence of specific problems indicates systemic deficiencies. According to some scientists, Russia is among the group of countries with low performance indicators of postgraduate programs, and the pronounced trend towards their further decline indicates the presence of systemic problems in Russian postgraduate studies. The scientific novelty of the study consists in conducting a questionnaire survey according to the author's methodology, in which 163 postgraduate respondents from scientific and educational organizations of the Far East took part, in identifying information about the basic educational characteristics of graduate students, socio–demographic parameters of the respondents, as well as their academic and career plans, as well as in analyzing the results obtained. The article is written in the language of scientific style with the competent use in the text of the study of the presentation of various positions on the studied problem, description and analysis of the results of the questionnaire survey of the studied group of respondents. The structure is designed taking into account the basic requirements for writing scientific articles. The structure of this study includes an introduction, the degree of elaboration of the problem, the methodology of the study and the general characteristics of the questionnaire, a description of the results, conclusions and a bibliography. The content of the article reflects its structure. Especially valuable in the content of the study is the demonstration of basic educational characteristics, basic socio-demographic characteristics, academic and career plans very clearly using tabular forms and drawings with further detailed description and analysis of the results characterizing the subject of the study. The bibliography contains 14 sources, including mainly domestic periodicals. The article describes various positions and points of view of well-known scientists characterizing approaches, various aspects, problematic issues characterizing the training of scientific and pedagogical personnel in postgraduate studies in Russia, and also contains an appeal to various scientific works and sources devoted to this topic, which is included in the circle of scientific interests of researchers dealing with this issue. The presented study contains brief conclusions concerning the subject area of the study. In particular, given the problems of modern postgraduate studies, it is worth noting that a fairly significant percentage indicated a lack of intention to defend the final qualifying work or a lack of certainty in this regard. It is noteworthy that a significant number of graduate students do not want to link their future with science or do not have clear intentions in this regard. Most of the respondents do not plan to move to another region: many of them openly wish to continue their work in their "own" region, while some of them are forced to do so. The materials of this study are intended for a wide range of readership, they can be interesting and used by scientists for scientific purposes, teaching staff in the educational process, the management and administration of scientific and educational organizations providing postgraduate training, executive authorities responsible for educational organizations, experts, analysts, as well as themselves graduate students. As disadvantages of this study, it should be noted that when making drawings, tables, references to sources and bibliographic sources in the text of the study, which are electronic resources, it is necessary to pay attention to the requirements of the current GOST. In particular, figures and tables should be numbered, named and mentioned in the text. The bibliographic list is compiled in alphabetical order, and not taking into account references to sources as they are used in the text of the article. Sources that are electronic resources do not contain the date of the request. These shortcomings do not reduce the high scientific and practical significance of the study itself, however, they must be promptly eliminated, the design of the article should be brought into line with the requirements of the current GOST. It is recommended to return the article for revision.