Applied statistics, research design, and program evaluation are often combined by students who wish to become practitioners. A strong emerging program focus is in studying the principles of fundamental measurement, i.e., how inferences from statistical analyses are only as valid as the measures used to assess the researcher's construct. Related coursework entails the design of psychological and behavioral scales in meeting these principles. Current faculty and student research includes establishing scales of various aspects of cognitive development, and the application of Rasch scaling to various other domains. A second focus is on qualitative research design, data collection methods, and analysis.
Research is based in a praxis approach, combining theoretical work with practical application.
Current faculty and student research focus on implementation of transformative pedagogies, integrating community resources into classroom teaching, historical studies of innovative educational practices, and the charter school movement in northwest Ohio. More about the Program Applicants to the Ph.D. program may have either a Bachelor's or a Master's degree in any relevant field. Other factors taken into consideration are life and professional experiences that suggest the applicant has good potential to contribute to the field, as well as the applicant's statement of purpose and letters of recommendation. The Ph.D. Program in Foundations of Education serves the needs of Ohio in a number of ways. Faculty and students do research in a variety of fields aimed at enhancing the lives of children and families.