The Role of CEDocs and its Effectiveness in Facilitating Postgraduate Research in Moroccan Universities

Abstract

The doctoral journey does not only require working on a research project that might last for six years but it also needs extra research activities, particularly transversal training. Any research, in whatever specialty, requires a certain type of training that contributes to its facility. For this reason, Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) provide training in a variety of skills that range from languages, study skills to research methodology and ethics. The purpose of these trainings is to facilitate the research processes and equip the researchers with very basic knowledge and needed skills to fulfil their research objectives. Keeping this in mind, this study seeks to explore the roles of research laboratories and the extent to which the training provided is effective in promoting postgraduate research, for doctoral researchers specialized in different fields and belonging to various Moroccan universities. To investigate this issue, this study uses both questionnaires targeting doctoral students and interviews with the centres and laboratories’ directors. Eventually, the data reveal very interesting findings, particularly, at the level of the compatibility between the perceptions of students and those of the directors.