Doctor of Philosophy Concentration

The first step in the process is for the student to identify an issue or problem in science education. This is done through an iterative process with the student’s Major Professor that results in the statement of the issue or problem, corresponding rationale (that may be contained within the statement), references, and outline of intended paper that is then distributed to the other members of the program committee for input. The committee members may provide written feedback or elect to approve the contract in its present form. If any modifications are made, the Major Professor will inform the committee as to the final statement and corresponding contract that is under investigation. Once committee consensus is reached, the student prepares a written paper on the selected statement. The student needs to gain unanimous support of the finished paper from all committee members.  If consensus in not reached, the committee will suggest what specific issues need to be addressed and the student will be allowed to submit the paper a second and final time. Failure of the second exam will result in termination of degree candidacy.

The purpose of the Analytical Paper is to determine if the issues are appropriate for doctoral level investigation, if the student is aware of prevailing and alternative theoretical constructs which give rise to the selected issues, and to determine if the student is capable of performing an original synthesis of research. Other than being written in APA format and being of quality (described above), there are no formal guidelines as to how to construct the presentation of ideas in the paper. While there is no specified length, the paper should be no less than approximately 25 manuscript pages prior to references. The overarching criterion is whether the student has demonstrated a readiness to move from the coursework phase of the program to the final development of a dissertation proposal. Much of that determination is based on evidence that the candidate is able to articulate researchable assertions or questions, develop a theoretically sound conceptual framework from the literature, make a compelling case for their arguments, describe the research or theoretical work that is needed to increase our understanding of the issue(s) under review, and draw explicit connections to practice.

The purpose of the empirical study is for students to design and conduct study to determine if the issue(s) of inquiry are appropriate for further doctoral level investigation, if the student is aware of prevailing and alternative theoretical constructs which give rise to the selected issues, and to determine if the student is capable of performing original research. It is conceivable that this inquiry might ultimately serve to raise more detailed or related questions from the inquiry for the development of a dissertation proposal (although it is not the intent that this paper servers as a "stand alone" chapter for the dissertation). 

The first step in the process is for the student to identify a narrow and focused topic of inquiry that reflects in science education. This is done through an iterative process with the student’s Major Professor that results in the question(s) under consideration must include a rationale with appropriate references that is then distributed to the other members of the program committee for input. The committee members may provide written feedback or elect to approve the contract in its present form.

In some cases, this may serve as a "pilot study" for an aspect of a potential dissertation. The student prepares a written research report on based on the focus of the inquiry. The research paper must conform to APA guidelines and employ methodologies appropriate to the nature of the inquiry (i.e., quantitative and/or qualitative procedures). The overarching criterion is whether the student has demonstrated a readiness to move from the coursework phase of the program to the final development of a dissertation proposal. Much of that determination is based on evidence that the candidate is able to articulate researchable assertions or questions, develop a theoretically sound methodological framework, make a compelling case for their arguments, describe their research and relevant related work that is needed to increase our understanding of the issue(s) under review, and draw explicit connections to practice.

The student needs to gain unanimous support of the finished report from all committee members. If consensus in not reached, the committee will suggest what specific issues need to be addressed and the student will be allowed to submit the paper a second and final time. Failure of the second exam will result in termination of degree candidacy.