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Educational Research and Evaluation

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GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Educational Research and Evaluation Program is committed to achieving excellence in research and teaching. We specialize in research methodology, as it relates to education, the behavioral sciences, and the social sciences in general, and emphasize the areas of evaluation/assessment, qualitative methods, and quantitative methods (i.e., applied statistics and measurement).

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Research and Evaluation is designed to recognize graduate students who have gained methodological expertise that goes beyond the methodological skills that are acquired in introductory methodology courses. More specifically, the certificate recognizes the completion of specialized coursework in evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative methods, and/or statistics. The certificate is also intended for students who already hold a graduate degree but who wish to obtain a credential in research methodology that will be of benefit to them in their careers.

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Research and Evaluation demonstrates that a graduate student has achieved a level of proficiency in research methodology that exceeds what is possible at an introductory level. Learning outcomes for the certificate include the following:

  • Understand basic and advanced methodological concepts that are associated with evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Understand and effectively use a variety of methodological techniques and practices that are associated with evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Understand basic and advanced research design issues and effectively design an evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical study.
  • Develop an effective research proposal for evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Understand and effectively use a variety of data collection methods and techniques that are associated with evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Understand and effectively use a variety of data analysis methods and techniques that are associated with evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Develop an effective research report of evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Develop an effective oral and/or visual presentation of evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Understand and use appropriate criteria to effectively evaluate the quality of research proposals and research reports for evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
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WHAT YOU'LL STUDY

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Research and Evaluation requires 9 credit hours of specialized coursework in EDRE. This excludes introductory courses that are prerequisites for specialized courses, i.e., Quantitative Research Methods in Education I (EDRE 6605), Quantitative Research Methods in Education II (EDRE 6606), Qualitative Methods in Education Research I (EDRE 6504), Evaluation Methods in Education Research I (EDRE 6704), and all 5000-level EDRE courses other than EDRE 5644.  A grade of B or higher is required for all of the courses that are completed for the certificate, and courses that are taken as Pass/Fail or Audit can not be used for the certificate. Also, transfer credit or credit for courses that have been completed in programs other than the EDRE program is not permitted.

Please note that EDRE 6634 (Advanced Statistics) is required for all upper-level measurement and statistics courses and can be used for the certificate. The prerequisite(s) for each course listed below is indicated in the course description section that follows.

Recommended Combinations of Specialized Educational Research and Evaluation Courses:

Evaluation / Assessment:

  • EDRE 5644: Questionnaire Design and Survey Research in Education
  • EDRE 6684: Instrument Development and Validation
  • EDRE 6744: Mixed Method Research Design
  • EDRE 6794: Advanced Topics in Educational Research: Assessment in Higher Education
  • EDRE 6794: Advanced Topics in Educational Research: Evaluation Methods in Education Research II

Measurement:

  • EDRE 6624: Measurement Theory in Education
  • EDRE 6634 / STAT 6634: Advanced Statistics for Education
  • EDRE 6654: Multivariate Statistics for Applications to Educational Problems
  • EDRE 6684: Instrument Development and Validation
  • EDRE 6754: Advanced Item Response Theory

Qualitative Methods:

  • EDRE 6524: Qualitative Methods in Educational Research II
  • EDRE 6784: Advanced Issues in Qualitative Research

Statistics:

  • EDRE 6634 / STAT 6634: Advanced Statistics for Education
  • EDRE 6654: Multivariate Statistics for Applications to Educational Problems
  • EDRE 6664: Application of Structural Equations in Education
  • EDRE 6694: Hierarchical Linear Modeling
  • ... or a relevant Advanced Issues course

Visit the Application page for more information on how to apply, including requirements, deadlines, and what you'll need in detail.

WORK SAMPLE

The Educational Research and Evaluation Graduate Certificate also requires the submission of a relevant work sample, which is evaluated by an appropriate EDRE faculty member, using this evaluation rubric.

Course Descriptions

Research and evaluation in education with emphasis on development of skill requisite for utilizing research and evaluation studies in practical situations. Applies these skills in exercises related to various research and evaluation models.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture

Prerequisite(s):

Corequisite(s):

This course provides an overview of survey research for graduate students in education. It covers the process from project formulation and sampling, through instrument design and question formulation, to data processing and report writing. Emphasis will be on questionnaire design, providing students with an opportunity to create and revise their own questionnaire and critique instruments used in educational surveys.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture

Prerequisite(s): EDRE 5404 (UG) OR EDRE 5404

Corequisite(s):

Introducation to Mixed Methods research and evaluation in applied social and behavorial sciences, including education, human development, sociology, and medicine. Mixed methods are used to collect and analyze both qualitive and quantitative data.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture

Prerequisite(s): EDRE 5404

Corequisite(s):

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19

Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 19

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Independent Study

Prerequisite(s):

Corequisite(s):

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19

Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 19

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture

Prerequisite(s):

Corequisite(s):

This course provides an introduction to qualitative research methods. It considers mainstream qualitative research traditions, including case study, phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory, and participatory research. Students will conduct observations, interviews and basic data analysis.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture

Prerequisite(s): EDRE 5404

Corequisite(s):

This course provides an advanced examination of qualitative inquiry in educational and human science research. It considers theoretical assumptions of major qualitative research traditions and provides students advanced skills in data analysis and representation.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s): EDRE 6504

Corequisite(s):

This two-course sequence is designed to provide an overview of basic research design, measurement and statistical concepts in social and behavioral research. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the process of social and educational research in field settings, hands on experience of designing and conducting research and analysis of data. I,II.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture

Prerequisite(s): EDRE 5404 (UG) OR EDRE 5404

Corequisite(s):

This two-course sequence is designed to provide an overview of basic research design, measurement and statistical concepts in social and behavioral research. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the process of social and educational research in field settings, hands on experience of designing and conducting research and analysis of data. I,II.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture

Prerequisite(s): EDRE 6605

Corequisite(s):

Methods and theories of estimating and enhancing test score characteristics, particularly reliability and validity of aptitude and achievement tests. Problems associated with test construction, use, and score interpretation will be emphasized.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s): STAT 5634

Corequisite(s):

Multiple regression procedures for analyzing data as applied in educational settings, including curvilinear regressions, dummy variables, multicollinearity, and introduction to path analysis. II

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s): null null

Corequisite(s):

Multivariate statistical procedures presented in an applied research setting. Oriented toward the logical extension of univariate tests of significance and estimation procedures to multivariate problems. Emphasis on using existing computer software packages.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s): (STAT 6634 (UG), EDRE 6634 (UG), STAT 6644 (UG), EDRE 6644 (UG)) OR (STAT 6634, EDRE 6634, STAT 6644, EDRE 6644)

Corequisite(s):

Applications of structural equation causal models in educational research and discussion of the methodological questions pertaining to such models. Topics include recursive and nonrecursive models, measurement errors in causal models, latent unobserved variables, and covariance structures.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s): EDRE 6634

Corequisite(s):

Introduction to longitudinal data analysis (LDA) as applied to the behavioral and social sciences, including education, psychology, human development, sociology, and health sciences. Topics covered include advanced methods of LDA such as growth models in hierarchical linear modeling (or multilevel modeling), latent curve models in structural equation modeling, and econometric fixed effects models. Other methods will be covered when appropriate.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s): EDRE 6634

Corequisite(s):

Provides experiences in developing instruments, or tests, that are designed to measure educational and psychological constructs, such as knowledge, skills, attitudes, and traits. Issues and practices relating to construct specification, instrument design and administration, and analysis and summary of validity study data will be emphasized. Must have EDRE 6606 prerequisite or comparable graduate level statistics course.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s): EDRE 6606

Corequisite(s):

Provides a conceptual framework of hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), some important statistical theory behind the HLM, and hands-on training for applying HLM technique through analyzing example data sets and projects. The course includes the formulation of statistical models for typical applications such as two-level organizational study, two-level growth model, and three-level growth model within contexts and prepares students to be able to use multilevel analysis to address research questions in their fields and write coherent summaries and interpretations of the results.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s): EDRE 6634

Corequisite(s):

Principles of evaluation with emphasis on practices applicable to a variety of educational settings. The theoretical and philosophical bases which lead to alternative methodologies. Design and measurement alternatives are considered within the jurisdictional, theoretical, and philosophical contexts.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s): null null

Corequisite(s):

Provides an introduction to mixed methods research design in the human and behavioral sciences. Students will design and execute a pilot study for a mixed method research project.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Research

Prerequisite(s): EDRE 6606, EDRE 6504

Corequisite(s):

Provides students with the concepts and skills to carry out Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses using specialized software, and an introduction to research in measurement. Topics will include binary and polytomous models, item and ability parameter estimation, model fit, and scaling and equating.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s): EDRE 6624 OR EDRE 6684

Corequisite(s):

Provides an in-depth look at one or more research topics in psychometrics, or the statistical foundations of educational and psychological tests. Students will become familiar with current research, acquire specialized psychometric analysis skills, and learn how to conduct psychometric research. Topics coverd may vary from term to term. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. 

Credit Hours: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

Level(s): Graduate

Instruction Type: Lecture, Lecture 1

Provides advanced treatment of important theoretical and methodological topics in the contemporary qualitative literature and in the ongoing development of qualitative methodology. Emphasis is placed on addressing both theoretical issues and issues of research praxis. Topics covered vary from term to term.

Credit Hour(s): 3

Lecture Hour(s): 3

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s): EDRE 6524

Corequisite(s):

Advanced treatment beyond standard courses in topics such as questionnaire design, survey sampling, factor analysis, and meta analysis. May be repeated with different topics for up to 6 hours of credit.

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 6

Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 6

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture, Online Lecture

Prerequisite(s): STAT 5634

Corequisite(s):

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19

Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 19

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Independent Study

Prerequisite(s):

Corequisite(s):

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19

Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 19

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s):

Corequisite(s):

Planned program of advanced clinical practice in education through assignment under direct supervision of outstanding practitioner for periods of up to two semesters. (Maximum 24C).

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 24

Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 24

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s):

Corequisite(s):

Advanced applied research and/or evaluation study in one or more educational institutions or agencies. The student is graded on the basis of the design of the study and ability to conduct the study and report the results. (Maximum 12C).

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 12

Lecture Hour(s): 1 TO 12

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Lecture

Prerequisite(s):

Corequisite(s):

Credit Hour(s): 1 TO 19

Lecture Hour(s):

Level: Graduate

Instruction Type(s): Research

Prerequisite(s):

Corequisite(s):

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FACULTY

Our Educational Research and Evaluation program faculty include widely published, nationally recognized authors and researchers.

Dr. David Kniola smiles calmly at the camera. He wears a navy suit and a blue striped button down shirt with a multi-blue tie
Dr. David Kniola, Assistant Professor of Practice and Program Leader
dr. serge hein gazes at the camera with a pleasant expression on his face. The top button of his blue dress shirt is unbuttoned
Dr. Serge Hein, Associate Professor
marcus johnson is an african american man - he wears a light grey suit with a starched white button down shirt and a maroon tie. He smiles confidently at the camera.
Marcus Johnson, Professor
Dr. Yasuo Miyazki gazes calmly at the camera. He wears a tan suit and stands in front of a glass wall
Dr. Yasuo Miyazaki, Professor
Dr. Weaver-Hightower smiles happily at the camera. He stands in front of a wall of Hokie Stone, wearing a white shirt with narrow grey stripes, and a grey tie with blue and tan dots
Marcus Weaver-Hightower, Professor

Campus: Virginia Tech Blacksburg Campus
Instruction: Residential/On Campus 

Program Overview

The Educational Research and Evaluation program is committed to achieving excellence in research and teaching. We specialize in research methodology, as it relates to education, the behavioral sciences, and the social sciences in general, and emphasize the areas of evaluation/assessment, qualitative methods, and quantitative methods (i.e., applied statistics and measurement).

faculty

What You'll Study

The Graduate Certificate in Educational Research and Evaluation is designed to recognize graduate students who have gained methodological expertise that goes beyond the methodological skills that are acquired in introductory methodology courses. More specifically, the certificate recognizes the completion of specialized coursework in evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative methods, and/or statistics. The certificate is also intended for students who already hold a graduate degree but who wish to obtain a credential in research methodology that will be of benefit to them in their careers.

The EDRE Graduate Certificate demonstrates that a graduate student has achieved a level of proficiency in research methodology that exceeds what is possible at an introductory level. Learning outcomes for the certificate include the following:

  • Understand basic and advanced methodological concepts that are associated with evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Understand and effectively use a variety of methodological techniques and practices that are associated with evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Understand basic and advanced research design issues and effectively design an evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical study.
  • Develop an effective research proposal for evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Understand and effectively use a variety of data collection methods and techniques that are associated with evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Understand and effectively use a variety of data analysis methods and techniques that are associated with evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Develop an effective research report of evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Develop an effective oral and/or visual presentation of evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.
  • Understand and use appropriate criteria to effectively evaluate the quality of research proposals and research reports for evaluation/assessment, measurement, qualitative, and/or statistical research.

 

Course Requirements

Number of Credit Hours: The EDRE Graduate Certificate requires 9 credit hours of specialized coursework in EDRE. This excludes introductory courses that are prerequisites for specialized courses (i.e., Quantitative Research Methods in Education I (EDRE 6605), Quantitative Research Methods in Education II (EDRE 6606), Qualitative Methods in Education Research I (EDRE 6504), Evaluation Methods in Education Research I (EDRE 6704), and all 5000-level EDRE courses other than EDRE 5644).  A grade of B or higher is required for all of the courses that are completed for the certificate, and courses that are taken as Pass/Fail or Audit can not be used for the certificate. Also, transfer credit or credit for courses that have been completed in programs other than the EDRE program is not permitted.

Please note that EDRE 6634 (Advanced Statistics) is required for all upper-level measurement and statistics courses and can be used for the certificate. The prerequisite(s) for each course listed below is indicated in the Course List section of the EDRE Ph.D. program webpage.

Recommended Combinations of Specialized EDRE Courses

Evaluation/Assessment: EDRE 5644, EDRE 6684, EDRE 6744, EDRE 6794 (Assessment in Higher Education), EDRE 6794 (Evaluation Methods in Education Research II)

Measurement: EDRE 6624, EDRE 6634, EDRE 6654, EDRE 6684, EDRE 6754, EDRE 6774

Qualitative Methods: EDRE 6524, EDRE 6784, EDCI 6535

Statistics: EDRE 6634, EDRE 6654, EDRE 6664, EDRE 6694, or a relevant Advanced Issues course

Please note that an EDRE faculty member completes an evaluation rubric to evaluate the work sample that is submitted for the EDRE Graduate Certificate.

Number of Credit Hours: The EDRE Graduate Certificate requires 9 credit hours of specialized coursework in EDRE. This excludes introductory courses that are prerequisites for specialized courses (i.e., Quantitative Research Methods in Education I (EDRE 6605), Quantitative Research Methods in Education II (EDRE 6606), Qualitative Methods in Education Research I (EDRE 6504), Evaluation Methods in Education Research I (EDRE 6704), and all 5000-level EDRE courses other than EDRE 5644).  A grade of B or higher is required for all of the courses that are completed for the certificate, and courses that are taken as Pass/Fail or Audit can not be used for the certificate. Also, transfer credit or credit for courses that have been completed in programs other than the EDRE program is not permitted.

Please note that EDRE 6634 (Advanced Statistics) is required for all upper-level measurement and statistics courses and can be used for the certificate. The prerequisite(s) for each course listed below is indicated in the Course List section of the EDRE Ph.D. program webpage.

Recommended Combinations of Specialized EDRE Courses

Evaluation/Assessment: EDRE 5644, EDRE 6684, EDRE 6744, EDRE 6794

Measurement: EDRE 6624, EDRE 6634, EDRE 6654, EDRE 6684

Qualitative Methods: EDRE 6524, EDRE 6744, EDRE 6784, EDCI 6535

Statistics: EDRE 6634, EDRE 6654, EDRE 6664, EDRE 6694, or a relevant Advanced Issues course

Please note that an EDRE faculty member completes an evaluation rubric to evaluate the work sample that is submitted for the EDRE Graduate Certificate.

Current and Admitted Students at Virginia Tech

Graduate students who are admitted to any other graduate program at Virginia Tech are also admitted to the Graduate Certificate Program in Educational Research and Evaluation.

Apply (Current and Admitted Students)

Applicants New to Virginia Tech

A recommendation for admission of nondegree-seeking students to the EDRE Graduate Certificate Program will be made by the EDRE Graduate Admissions Committee based on academic transcripts, a letter of interest, and the minimal requirements that are specified in the Graduate Catalog. Please note that these admission requirements differ from the EDRE program's degree admission requirements in that the EDRE Graduate Certificate Program does not require GRE scores or letters of recommendation.

After completing all of the EDRE Graduate Certificate requirements, a student must apply for conferral of the certificate using the Application for Degree and Certificate Conferral form that is available on the Graduate School website.

Visit this page for more information on how to apply, including requirements, deadlines, and what you'll need in detail.

PLEASE NOTE THE EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND EVALUATION PROGRAM IS NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS AT THIS TIME

Dr. Serge Hein
Program Leader
1750 Kraft Dr., Room 2105
Blacksburg, VA 24060
540-231-9713    
shein@vt.edu

Kathy Tickle
Program Support Technician
Enrollment Services Specialist
402 Wallace Hall (0565)
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-9721 | ktickle@vt.edu

Questions?

Dr. Serge Hein
Program Leader
1750 Kraft Dr., Room 2105
Blacksburg, VA 24060
540-231-9713    
shein@vt.edu

Visit our office at 2104 Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, Blacksburg, VA 24061

Faculty Experts in Educational Research and Evaluation