Survey of Earned Doctorates, 2003-2008 [Canada] [Excel]

The Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) is an annual census of doctorate recipients in Canada that was conducted for the first time on a national basis during the 2003-2004 academic year. The basic purpose of this survey is to gather data about all doctoral graduates in Canada to inform government, associations, universities and other stakeholders on the characteristics and plans of these very highly qualified graduates as they leave their doctoral programs. The survey's key data objectives are to evaluate the impact of the various sources of institutional funding; to gather information on the retention of doctoral students in Canada; to gain a better understanding of postgraduate education financing and debt level; to allow labour market planners to assess the additions to the domestic stock of highly qualified human resources in various fields; and, to allow an examination of the path to receipt of doctoral degrees and the impact of foreign students. The survey collects data about the graduate's postsecondary academic path, funding sources, field of study and his/her immediate postgraduate plans. The data from the SED can be used by universities and governments to make policy decisions that affect graduate education throughout Canada, by federal agencies to inform parliament and to make decisions about financial commitments that affect graduate education throughout Canada; and, in the evaluation of graduate education programs, strategic planning at the provincial level, labour force projections, and affirmative action plans at all levels.