Educational Research Methodology (ERM)
The successes of our students and the passion with which they speak about their experience is a testament to the quality and impact of our programs.
Program Evaluation
Program evaluation as a field is concerned with the systematic collection of evidence to determine the merit, worth, and significance of a program. As a practice, evaluation aims to understand and improve social programs so that they are ultimately more responsive to program participant needs. Program initiatives take place in multiple arenas, including government, non-profit, public health, and educational institutions, but the important question becomes – do they work? If so, how? And according to whom? The job of the evaluator is to determine whether and to what extent these initiatives are working, and how they can be improved for next time.
At a fundamental level, program evaluation is a socio-political process related to decisions about societal priorities and resource allocations, as decisions are made concerning program worth and merit. Within this backdrop, there is increasing awareness that these programs are embedded within specific social, cultural, and historical contexts, all of which profoundly impact program development, implementation and outcomes. Evaluations are in many ways far from being value-free and culture-free.
For specific information about a program evaluation concentration program in our department, please see the information below:
Measurement and Quantitative Methods
Measurement and quantitative methods are relevant to many professional fields. Measurement (often called psychometrics) is mostly concerned with statistical approaches to evaluating assessments. Private sector jobs in measurement are often found in the testing industry, where pyschometricians analyze test responses to ensure that test scores are accurate and fair representations achievement or development. Similar positions can also be found in state and local government, developing and evaluating assessments used in K-12 education. Measurement and quantitative methods can also be used in other settings where research questions are to be explored through the application of advanced modeling techniques (HLM, SEM, Factor Analysis, IRT). Methodologists can use their skills in quantitative methods to answer varied social science, policy, and evaluation questions.
For specific information about a measurement and quantitative methods concentration program in our department, please see the information below: