The Training Of Researchers: An Exploratory Literature Review On Doctoral Programs

Abstract

Introduction: The training of researchers is a key commitment of countries to their development, with universities and their doctoral programs serving as essential spaces for conducting cutting-edge research. This study presents an exploratory literature review that seeks to answer the question: What is being researched about the training of researchers in doctoral programs? The aim is to identify emerging themes related to researcher training in doctoral education.  Methodology: This study follows an exploratory literature review approach using the PRISMA method for article selection. A total of 175 empirical studies focusing on doctoral training in the social sciences or humanities were selected. These studies, published between 2014 and 2023 in Scopus and Scielo, were written in either English or Spanish. Discussion: The findings reveal six key themes investigated by the scientific community: the development of researcher identity, supervision, curricular and pedagogical aspects, well-being and health, internationalization, and diversity and inclusion. Differences were observed between studies conducted in Latin America and those from other regions. This review offers insights for doctoral programs to acknowledge diversity and propose strategies aligned with the anticipated future trends of increasing diversity, inclusion, and internationalization in doctoral education.