PHD Candidates Will Demonstrate Knowledge Of The Literature
Candidates of the Counselor Education PHD program will demonstrate knowledge of current literature in the field of counseling to conduct their own independent research.
Indicator
Quality Dissertation Checklist
The Quality Dissertation Checklist will be used to score the introduction, literature review, and methodology of the dissertation proposal.
Criterion
Committee Approval And 85% Rating On Checklist
1. All committee members must approve the proposal before the candidate can begin data collection. 2. 85% on the Quality Dissertation Checklist
Finding
Knowledge Of Current Counseling Literature
Using the Quality Dissertation Checklist as the evaluative measure, students in the spring 2012 cohort (#8) scored 85% or higher on the literature review component of the initial draft of their dissertation proposal.
Some students struggle with writing a comprehensive literature review for their dissertation proposal because they delay selection of a research area and agenda.
Action
Knowledge Of Current Counseling Literature
Doctoral students will demonstrate skills in locating, evaluating, synthesizing, and writing in correct APA form about current counseling topics related to their literature review. Students will be expected to select a research area upon entering the doctoral program and develop a research agenda around this area. Students will be introduced to the quality dissertation checklist at the beginning of the program with the understanding that it will be the evaluative measure when they begin working on their dissertation proposal.
We are working to tweak when the research sequence begins - first or second year.
Goal
Research Competency
Candidates demonstrate research competency by original dissertation research.
Objective
Demonstrate Competency In Research
Candidates of the Counseling Education PHD program will demonstrate competency in research by planning, implementing, analyzing, and writing a scholarly dissertation based on original research.
Indicator
Dissertation Checklist
Committee Chair scores the Quality Dissertation Checklist
Criterion
Checklist Score
Degree candidates will score at least 95% on the dissertation quality checklist with the understanding that 100% must be achieved before final dissertation approval and graduation.
Finding
Research Competency
As we expect, students require four to five revisions before hitting the 95% criterion. When they score between 95% and 100%, they are ready for the defense.
Some students have difficulty determining the best methodology for the dissertation study they want to conduct.
Some students have difficulty accurately formatting their dissertation documents per APA style (both format and technical writing).
Both of the items above, are required for a successful score (95%100%) on the quality dissertation checklist.
Action
Research Competence
In all courses of the 12 hour research block for the doctoral program, faculty will expect students to demonstrate greater facility for understanding and selecting appropriate research methodology.
In selected doctoral courses students will be expected to prepare and submit manuscripts for publication using accurate APA publication style (both format and technical writing).
Faculty will use the Quality Dissertation Checklist to evaluate dissertations.