The State of Scientific Research and Research Training in Moroccan Universities: Doctoral Students’ Perceptions

Abstract

The present paper intends to focus on research training in Moroccan universities through investigating doctoral students' perceptions of this training and drawing conclusions and suggestions for the improvement of higher education research practices. This study used a mixed research method with an explanatory survey design. First, a survey was conducted with 144 Moroccan doctoral students to answer research questions on the integration of research courses in undergraduate curriculum, the quality of this research training and the difficulties facing students while conducting research. Then, interviews were carried out with 40 subjects to seek further explanations and triangulate data obtained through the questionnaire. The findings of this study indicate that doctoral students receive little practical training in research prior to starting doctoral studies. Thus, they undergo a myriad of challenges while writing their doctoral theses as they lack autonomy when it comes to carrying out their investigations. Most often these challenges are linked to narrowing the scope of their research, using appropriate methodology, and publishing their research findings. Besides, the students reported difficulties linked with the quality of supervision they get and the lack of financial support to conduct their research in optimal conditions. Based on these findings, some practical implications and recommendations have been drawn. Introduction In a global, high competitive world, Knowledge has certainly become a key precursor to all kinds of sustainable development and continuous progress. Acquiring this knowledge and contributing to its building and enrichment are only possible through Inquiry and investigation. More importantly, the results attained from this process of inquiry and investigations are crucial for processing that knowledge, translating it into new products and services and transferring it to future generations. In this line, the appearance of Global Rankings in 2003 and its focus on measuring the performance of higher education institutions as an indicator of a country's economic strengths and weaknesses has pushed world nations to compete through investing in higher education. Since then, research capacity has emerged as a vector for global competition (Marginson, 2006). Building on this, governments in developed and developing nations started giving more importance to investment in research and development (R&D) so as to attract capital, businesses and skills. In this light, most reports about higher education in the Arab world state that the region is lagging behind in terms of research productivity and knowledge building. Reports about research practices in the Arab world, in general, and the MENA region in particular emphasize the need for more efforts in reinforcing the scope of academic research in the universities of the region. For instance, the 2014 Arab knowledge report jointly produced by the Mohammed Bin Rachid Al Maktoum foundation and the United Nations Development Program claims that " the first challenge to the process of transfer and localization of knowledge lies in the weakness of education, training and scientific research institutions… " (p.15). Besides, Reuters (2011) in his Global Research Report underlined the importance of involving students, in general, and youth, in particular, in the transfer and localization of knowledge processes as well as the integration of scientific research activities in the programs of development in the Arab world. More importantly, average government expenditure on research in the Arab States is around 1.5 per cent, compared with 2.5 per cent in OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) Member countries (Ramirez, 2008: 7; El Kaffass, 2007: 7). In this vein, one of the major gaps and challenges facing countries in the Arab region relates to human skills and competencies. More importantly, developing students' research skills has become a corner stone of higher education and a springboard to produce high quality research. Therefore, Arab universities are required to continuously appraise their practices in this field and engineer strategies to face up to global challenges.