The purpose of the Ph.D. Research Specialization Requirements is to insure that all Ph.D. candidates in the College of Education have had sufficient coursework and experience to attain proficiency in at least one research methodology and are able to conduct independent thesis research. The Research Specialization requirements take the place of the RMAC requirements. All Ph.D. students who did not have an approved RMAC plan on file in the Student Academic Affairs Office by August 20, 2002 will be subject to the Research Specialization requirements.

The Research Specializations

The four Research Specializations, Evaluation, Interpretive, Qualitative and Quantitative, were chosen to represent the domain of methodologies prevalent in educational research and pursued by our graduate students and faculty. It is intended that the choice of a Research Specialization will be consistent with a student's thesis research. While requirements differ for each specialization, all require some combination of introductory and advanced methods coursework, practical experience, and a capstone project. All Research Specializations require a two-stage approval process described below. Full descriptions of the focus and requirements of each specialization are on the Student Academic Affairs web site.

• Evaluation
• Interpretive
• Qualitative
• Quantitative

The Two Stage Approval Process

Successful completion of the Research Specialization requires that students follow a two-stage approval process.

Stage I-Preliminary Plan

Before completion of their third semester of doctoral coursework, students must submit a preliminary Research Specialization Plan using the prescribed form, available on the Graduate Programs web site, and a brief written statement that includes the following:

1. The student's objective in developing this specialization;
2. the coursework/experience that will support the fulfillment of the requirement and a tentative timeline for completion; and,
3. a proposal for how the student plans to fulfill the capstone project requirement.

The student must develop this plan in collaboration with his/her advisor. The plan states why the student has chosen the particular research specialization and the ways in which it is expected to contribute to the student's doctoral research and/or future career plans. The advisor must sign indicating approval of the plan. Upon approval by the advisor, the student submits the proposed plan to the respective Research Specialization chair who distributes for review by the Research Specialization Committee and signs when approved. All accompanying documentation (e.g., petitions, course transfers, transcripts, and syllabi) should be submitted with the research specialization plan.

Stage II-Final Approval

When the preliminary plan has been approved, students should proceed to complete coursework, experiences, and the capstone project. Upon completion of the activities specified in the plan and prior to taking the preliminary oral examination, students must submit to the Research Specialization Committee a completed plan in which the student provides a written argument and supporting evidence demonstrating research competence. The completed plan should include the original form with all course grades now indicated, a brief expository description of how the objectives stated in the preliminary plan have been fulfilled, and a list of the courses taken and the instructors of these courses, as well as a brief description of each.

The student should also submit a paper or project that demonstrates competence in the use of methods associated with that research specialization. The demonstration could take the form of a research project completed for independent study or a course; research published in a journal or in conference proceedings; an annotated bibliography of books relevant to methodological study that the student has reviewed; or other relevant demonstrations of methodological competence. The rationale for the submission of the paper or project and an account of its genesis should be described in the expository piece.

Advisors should read through their student's completed plan and accompanying evidence. The advisor should sign indicating approval of the student's completion of the research specialization requirements before submission to the Research Specialization Committee.

The student's research specialization materials - completed plan, documentation, and project report - will be circulated for approval among the three members of the Research Specialization Committee. When any one member indicates disapproval, the committee will meet to discuss the case and reach agreement on the research specialization decision and courses of action to be taken. Courses of action may include revision and resubmission of the completed plan or components, additional coursework, or additional supporting evidence. Students can expect that it will take 30 days to evaluate a completed plan.

Oversight of the Research Specialization Requirement

A "meta-committee" composed of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Associate Dean for Research, and the chairs of the four Research Specialization subcommittees is charged with the oversight of the Research Specialization Requirement. Their responsibilities include implementation of the new system, recommendations for Research Specialization Committee members, ongoing review and approval of specialization requirements, coordination across specializations, enforcement of the two stage approval process, and evaluation of the system as a whole.

A three person committee is appointed by the Dean to oversee each of the Research Specialization Committees. These committees are appointed from among the group of faculty who teach methodology courses or who are clearly expert in a particular method. Committee members are appointed by the Dean upon recommendation of the meta-committee. They will serve staggered three year terms. The most senior member of the committee (in terms of years appointed to the committee) serves as chair. The Research Specialization Committee reviews and approves courses for the specialization, defines criteria for the capstone project, periodically updates and revises Research Specialization Requirements, and approves individual preliminary and completed plans.

The Course Approval Process

Each Research Specialization has a listing of approved courses and additional requirements. These listings will be updated annually. All approved courses will be reviewed every three years (on a staggered cycle) to make sure that they are still offered and are relevant to the Research Specialization.

New courses must receive prior approval before they can count to fulfill the requirements of a particular Research Specialization. To become an approved course, faculty must submit syllabi and a statement of how the course fulfills the intent of the research specialization to the chair of the Research Specialization for review by the entire committee. Only courses with permanent course numbers will be considered for the listing of approved courses. Students must petition to have independent studies and omnibus courses included in their preliminary plan. To be considered, independent studies and omnibus courses must clearly meet research specialization requirements and must not duplicate pre-approved courses.

The Appeals Process

Students and faculty advisors who are dissatisfied with the actions of a Research Specialization Committee should first discuss their concerns with the chair of that committee. If resolution is not achieved, they may appeal to the meta-committee, the Chair of the Graduate Programs Committee or the Dean of the College.

PH.D. Research Specialization Committees for 2007-2008

Evaluative	Debra Bragg , Chair Lizanne DeStefano Thomas Schwandt
Interpretive	Christopher Lubienski, Co-Chair Christopher Span, Co-Chair Cris Mayo
Qualitative	Liora Bresler, Chair Brenda Trofanenko Lisa Spanierman
Quantitative	Carolyn Anderson, Chair Hua-Hua Chang Katherine Ryan