In reviewing the literature for a recent paper on graduate comprehensive examinations for the Tennessee Conference of Graduate Schools, I was surprised to find there has been little written on the topic. For example, I located little or no commentary or data on the purposes, style, reliability and validity of the exams. The questionnaire presented here, developed as part of a classroom exercise, will help to address some of those points. By the 1850s, the University of London awarded degrees to individuals who passed comprehensive exams without regard to where or how long they studied. Early in this century, comprehensive examinations were common in undergraduate programs, and slowly they shifted to graduate studies where today they are required in the vast majority of doctoral programs and many Master's programs.
Faculty probably ascribe a variety of purposes to the exams.
The questionnaire that follows is designed to draw out faculty perceptions of the functions and qualities of the graduate comprehensive exams. Please be assured that anonymity and confidentiality will be strictly observed. Responses will be reported only in the aggregate, and individual responses will not be identified. Your cooperation is appreciated. Sincerely, Michael W. Singletary Professor of Journalism To insure that only the randomly selected recipients of this survey are entering data on-line, please follow the directions in the email you received or on the survey you received in the mail.