RESEARCH, MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION - PH.D. 
Studies :
Graduate Studies
Degree :
Doctorate
Department :
 EPS - Research, Measurement and Evaluation



 
Research, Measurement and Evaluation - Ph.D.
 
 

The mission of the Doctoral program is to provide individuals with the requisite training in the application of statistical and measurement methodologies to: (a) conduct research leading to original contributions to the fields of research and measurement methodology, and (b) serve as an expert in the areas of research design, data analysis, and measurement in a variety of professional settings such as federal, state, and county boards of education, universities and agencies conducting publicly and privately funded research projects related to education and other behavioral sciences, and public and private testing agencies.

Description of the RME Program

The RME program is offered through the Department of Educational and Psychological Studies in the School of Education. The primary objective of the program is to train individuals to become experts in the methodology related to measurement, applied statistics, and evaluation. An emphasis of the program is on gaining experience in the application of the relevant methodologies using real-world data examples.

Areas of specialization within the RME program fall into two broad categories: (a) research methodology and statistics, and (b) measurement. Research methodology and statistics concern how to collect and analyze data to answer desired research questions. Statistical analyses can range from very simple descriptive analyses, to cutting-edge methods using sophisticated statistical models. The field of measurement concerns how we obtain measures of mental, psychological, and cognitive traits (e.g., ability, intelligence, depression). Because many of the traits investigated in education, psychology, and the health sciences are not directly observable the field of measurement makes use of a variety of statistical models to obtain the best possible estimates of an individual’s level on the desired trait based on the responses given to a set of items (i.e., a test, rating scale, or psychological inventory). These techniques are of particular importance to testing agencies that are assessing the ability of examinees taking high-stakes tests.

The RME program has four primary faculty involved in teaching the core course sequences and mentoring graduate students. These faculty members specialize in the areas of measurement, evaluation, and research methodology, and are actively engaged in research advancing the methodology in these areas. Because our faculty our actively engaged in research directly related to the courses they teach, they can provide in-depth coverage of the material, often with applications to real-world data examples stemming from the researcher’s own research and consultation work.

Program faculty includes Dr. Soyeon Ahn , Dr. Nicholas Myers , Dr. Randall Penfield .

See also RME - Ph.D Frequently Asked Questions

Course Requirements

The Doctoral degree in Research, Measurement, and Evaluation requires a minimum of 63 graduate semester credit hours, divided between a core set of required courses, a set of elective courses, and dissertation hours. Some of the required credits for the PhD may have been obtained in previous graduate enrollment (e.g, a Masters). An introduction to statistics course must be successfully completed prior to commencing the program.

The progression through the courses of the Ph.D. can vary. Click here for an example of a progression for a full time student. Some electives may be offered over the summer.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Research, Measurement and Evaluation Doctoral program is February 1 . A completed application must be received by this date.

For more information about the program contact Dr. Randall Penfield at 305-284-8340.

 
 
Note: Programs, program components, and courses subject to change.
 



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  Core Courses (33 credits are required) (Required)

Each of these classes must be completed, however, many may have been completed during the completion of the Master’s degree.
 
  
 EPS651  Survey Research Methods
 
  
 EPS654  Program Evaluation
 
  
 EPS661  Measurement and Psychometric Theory
 
  
 EPS662  Item Response Theory
 
  
 EPS670  Introduction to Research Methods
 
  
 EPS671  Group Comparative Research Designs and ANOVA Methods
 
  
 EPS672  Regression Methods
 
  
 EPS673  Introduction to Structural Equation Models (SEM)
 
  
 EPS674  Introduction to Multilevel Modeling
 
  
 EPS675  Qualitative Research Methods I
 
  
 PSY698  (intermediate) Structural Equation Models (SEM)
  Note to Core Courses (Required)

PSY698 (SEM) is taught in alternate years and is likely to extend the material from EPS673, which should be taken prior to PSY698.

EPS662 (Item Response Theory) is in the process of being approved.
  Research Apprenticeship (6 credits are required) (Required)

A minimum of 6 credits must be taken in relation to a research apprenticeship in which the student works under the mentorship of an RME faculty member (or an approved faculty member outside of RME) in conducting original research pertaining to research, measurement, and evaluation. It is expected that the work completed during the apprenticeship culminates in a manuscript of publishable quality to be submitted for publication in an academic journal. The 6 credits of apprenticeship are currently documented as two 3-credit blocks of EPS 607 (Advanced Individual Study). The research apprenticeship must be completed prior to the commencement of dissertation hours (EPS 730).
 
  
 EPS607  Advanced Individual Study
  Field Experience in Educational Research (6 credits are required) (Required)

A minimum of 6 credits must be taken in relation to a field experience in educational research. The field experience involves providing methodological assistance to a research or evaluation project being conducted at the University of Miami, or an approved organization (i.e., the evaluation division of Miami-Date County Public Schools). The nature of the field experience must be approved by the student’s advisor prior to commencing the credit hours. The field experience credits are currently documented as EPS 659.
 
  
 EPS659  Field Experience in Educational Research
  Dissertation Hours (12 credits are required) (Required)
 
  
 EPS730  Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation
  Electives (6 credits) (Required)

At least 6 credits of any combination of the courses listed below. Other courses may be substituted as an elective upon the Advisor’s approval. EPS 607 (Advanced Individual Study) and EPS 659 (field experience in Educational Research) can be taken over an above the credits required for the apprenticeship (6 credits) and field experience (6 credits).
 
  
 EPS568  Computer Applications in Educational and Behavioral Sciences Research
 
  
 EPS605  Psychological Bases of Education
 
  
 EPS607  Advanced Individual Study
 
  
 EPS652  Nonparametric Methods for Quantitative Analysis
 
  
 EPS659  Field Experience in Educational Research
 
  
 EPS676  Qualitative Research Methods II: Case Studies & Grounded Theory
 
  
 EPS677  Qualitative Research Methods III: Interviewing & Content Analysis
 
  
 MAS602  Multivariate Statistics
 
  
 MAS603  Design of Experiments
 
  
 MTH524  Introduction to Probability Theory
 
  
 MTH525  Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
 
  
 MTH542  Statistical Analysis
 
  
 MTH625  Multivariate Analysis
 
  
 TAL503  Microcomputer Applications in Education
 
  
 TAL637  Assessment in Exceptional Student Education
  Note to Electives (Elective)

In addition, a variety of other graduate courses may be taken in the fields of computer science, psychology, and education, as well as other areas of interest.

Displaying 7 Components

 
 
 

 

Prospective Students:
Inquire
E-mail

the School of Education
soe@miami.edu
Apply Online
University of Miami
Online Graduate Application

Program Contact:
Randall Penfield
Associate Professor, Department of Educational and Psychological Studies - Coordinator, Research, Measurement and Evaluation Program
Tel:
 305-284-8340
Room:
 Merrick Bldg. 311-A
eMail:
 penfield@miami.edu

 
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