Assessing Research-Doctorate Programs : A Methodology Study

by Ostriker, J. P.; Kuh, Charlotte V.; Voytuk, James A.

• ISBN13: 9780309090582
• ISBN10: 030909058X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-12-01
• Publisher: Natl Academy Pr

Summary

How should we assess and present information about the quality of research-doctorate programs? In recommending that the 1995 NRC rankings "(Assessing the Quality of Research-Doctorate Programs: Continuity and Change) be updated as soon as possible, this study presents an improved approach to doctoral program assessment which will be useful to administrators, faculty, and others with an interest in improving the education of Ph.D.s in the United States. It reviews the methodology of the 1995 NRC rankings and recommends changes, including the collection of new data about Ph.D. students, additional data about faculty, and new techniques to present data on the qualitative assessment of doctoral programs. It also recommends revision of the taxonomy of fields from that used in the 1995 rankings.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary	1	(9)
Introduction	9	(6)
How The Study Was Conducted	15	(4)
Taxonomy	19	(6)
Quantitative Measures	25	(6)
Student Education And Outcomes	31	(4)
Reputation And Data Presentation	35	(26)
General Conclusions And Recommendations	61	(4)
References	65	(4)
Appendixes
Biographical Sketches: Committee and Panels	69	(10)
Program-Initiation Consultation with Organizations	79	(4)
Meetings and Participants	83	(22)
Sample Questionnaires	105	(1)
Institutions	106	(3)
Programs	109	(5)
Faculty	114	(4)
Students
Admitted-to-Candidacy Students	118	(5)
Five-Seven Years Post-Ph.D. Students	123	(6)
Taxonomy of Fields and Their Subfields	129	(4)
Fields for Ph.D.s Granted During 1996-2001	133	(4)
Technical and Statistical Techniques
Alternate Ways to Present Rankings: Random Halves and Bootstrap	137	(9)
Correlates of Reputation Analysis	146