| Author/Presenter |
Darren King (Human Resources and Social Development Canada) |
| Co-author |
Judy Eisle-Culkin (Statistics Canada) |
| Title |
Doctoral Education in Canada: Findings from the 2005-2006 Survey of Earned Doctorates |
| Abstract |
Doctoral graduates play an important role in the economy and in Canadian society. They are an important source of innovation and research, and are imperative to the transmission of knowledge to new generations. However, the importance of doctoral education has not been reflected in the amount information and data available on the subject. The Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) is the first step in better understanding the role that doctoral graduates play in Canada. The survey, which is a census of all doctoral graduates in Canada, provides information regarding the future plans of doctoral graduates, including their employment prospects and plans for future studies. It captures data on the length of time it took to complete the degree, how the student financed their education, and demographic characteristics of the graduates. The survey also provides key information for the labour market regarding the stock of these highly specialized individuals across various fields, and the migration of Canadian and foreign graduates. This paper presents descriptive findings from the 2005-2006 Survey of Earned Doctorates and examines trends over the three years that the survey has been conducted, beginning for the 2003-2004 academic year. It also seeks to explain various decisions and experiences of doctoral graduates using a multivariate analysis. For instance, it addresses the question of why certain graduates choose to leave Canada upon the completion of their degree. Finally, the paper places these findings within the international context and examines the strengths and weaknesses of Canadian doctoral education. |
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