Assessing Research-Doctorate Programs

How should we assess and present information about the quality of research-doctorate programs? In recommending that the 1995 NRC rankings in 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 program reputation. It also recommends revision of the taxonomy of fields from that used in the 1995 rankings.Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1. Introduction2. How the Study Was Conducted3. Taxonomy4. Quantitative Measures5. Student Education and Outcomes6. Reputation and Data Presentation7. General Conclusions and Recommendations8. ReferencesAppendix A: Biographical Sketches: Committee and PanelsAppendix B: Program-Initiation Consultation with OrganizationsAppendix C: Meetings and ParticipantsAppendix D: Sample QuestionnairesAppendix E: Taxonomy of Fields and Their SubfieldsAppendix F: Fields for Ph.D.s Granted During 1996-2001Appendix G: Technical and Statistical Techniques