Burkina faso: The doctoral school of Thomas Sankara University organized a training session on Thursday for students enrolled in the first year of doctoral studies, in order to equip them with the tools for using research methods and accessing online scientific documentation, a step considered crucial in the doctoral journey.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the objective of the training is to equip and empower doctoral students in the use of online documentary research tools. "This is the very first training we organize upon their recruitment," said the deputy director of the doctoral school, Senior Lecturer, Professor Martial Zongo, in public law. He emphasized the importance of research as the first step in the doctoral journey, highlighting the transition from physical libraries to online resources.
In a context marked by the proliferation of digital content, Professor Zongo emphasized the need to distinguish reliable sources from dubious ones. He argued the importance of approved tools that allow access to credible scientific information, which is crucial for doctoral students from the outset. Over three days, participants will be introduced to scientific information retrieval, academic databases, specialized search engines, and bibliographic management tools, with a focus on the supervised use of artificial intelligence in doctoral research.
The Vice-President for Research and University Cooperation, Professor Patricia Lucie Ou©draogo/Zoungrana, emphasized that doctoral training is not limited to thesis production but is a learning process based on intellectual curiosity. She stated that mastering online research tools is essential for identifying reliable, relevant, and up-to-date sources, facilitating the publication of results in recognized journals, and better positioning one's research topic within the international scientific debate.
One of the trainers, Dr. Bapindi© Ouattara, explained that scientific and technical information encompasses various academic publications. He highlighted the importance of critical thinking in selecting, verifying, and analyzing information. The training will cover the use of bibliographic referencing tools, which are essential for ensuring the scientific quality of doctoral work.
Doctoral students expressed their appreciation for the initiative. Souga Gnagr© N'D©raogo Marc stated, "You can't start research without knowing how to search," expressing gratitude to the doctoral school. He commended the training program as foundational for discovering valuable contributions to the nation.
Through this session, Thomas Sankara University intends to strengthen the methodological capacities of its doctoral students and promote rigorous scientific research, based on controlled and critical access to online scientific documentation.