Use numbers and data to drive systematic change in education
A number is not simply a number in our research methodology program. Here, unlike in math or statistics, numbers are not the final answer. With a PhD in Research Methodology, you can work in educational and institutional research, using numbers to tell the story of the human experience and create meaningful change.
Curriculum
The PhD in Research Methodology requires 60cr hours, the completion of a research portfolio, and a dissertation. Students also participate in a consulting experience, where they conduct a research study and provide consulting assistance to a researcher or organization.
Required Courses
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| RMTD 403 | Survey Research | 3 |
| RMTD 406 | Educational Evaluation | 3 |
| RMTD 420 | Educational Research I: Building a Body of Evidence With Qualitative Methods * | 3 |
| RMTD 421 | Educational Research II: Building a Body of Evidence With Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| 3 |
| Advanced Educational Statistics | |
| Introduction to Linear Models | |
| Multivariate Statistics | |
| Hierarchical Linear Models | |
| Factor Analysis | |
| Meta-Analysis | |
| 3 |
| Single Subject Design | |
| Item Response Theory | |
| Mixed Methods Research | |
| Case Study Research | |
| 9 |
| 33 |
| Total Hours | 60 |
Comprehensive Assessment
A Comprehensive Research Portfolio is required. The portfolio contains three items: a) a report on a research consulting experience, b) a research paper demonstrating the candidates understanding of all phases in the research process and the ability to analyze and interpret data from a research study, and c) a literature review of an issue in the candidate's area of concentration.
Dissertation
A dissertation, as well as an oral defense of the dissertation, is required. Once completed, the final dissertation must be submitted to a publicly accessible database according to Graduate School policy.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
You will be able to critically evaluate bodies of knowledge from a variety of methodological traditions, use a variety of software programs to implement analyses, and conduct all stages of a research study in applied settings. Plus, you'll participate in a required consulting experience, where you'll conduct a research study and then provide consulting advice to a researcher or organization.
