An Ed.D. does the same thing -- just in a different field. It may be
solely "applied" research as opposed to "basic" research, but a lot of
people get Ph.D. degrees in applied fields and no one seems to sneer at
their worth.
So, a Ph.D. dissertation that reveals how to improve yield of a pine
plantation under changing environmental conditions is worthy of our
respect, but a Ed.D. dissertation that reveals how the improve yield (in
terms of concept learning and retention) among high school science
students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds is not.
Can you defend that distinction?
Dave
Mitch Cruzan wrote:
There is a deeper issue here- A PhD is not just something you get, or
that anybody can just get. The ability to earn a PhD in any discipline
is something that the majority of the population is not capable of
achieving. It's not just about hard work- A PhD is earned through the
demonstration of intellectual prowess, or more specifically the ability
to assimilate and explicate information from the breadth of a field of
study. In science, this amounts to the demonstration of the ability to
conduct an original research program - to advance the field through a
series of interrelated research projects; to interpret the results and
provide evidentiary basis for the novelty and relevance of the
contribution in the context of the existing primary literature. If my
understanding of the EdD is correct, it is primarily pedagogical in
focus- it demonstrates an ability to provide a simplified, but basically
accurate explanation of a complex system that is understandable for an
audience of a specific education level. PhD's advance the field while
EdD's may explain what the philosophers did. Any PhD who conducts a
research program that includes the training graduate students, and/or
engages in teaching at the undergraduate level also does the work of an
EdD- we get the best of both worlds.
Mitch Cruzan
Judith S. Weis wrote:
What Dave says is true, but since there is this prejudice, Jay would do
better getting a Ph.D. and avoiding the issue.
It seems the prejudice against the EdD, like most prejudices, is based
on little evidence. Unfortunately, such prejudice is fairly common in
the supposedly rational confines of academia. In other words, it's a
turf thing.
The PhDs would do well to broaden their awareness of the empirical
world.
Dave
Jay Beugly wrote:
I have indeed decided to pursue a PhD, but I thought that I would take
this
opportunity to inform ECOLOG subscribers about some of the
misconceptions
with an EdD.
The university that I am currently enrolled in has two EdD options. The
most
common option is a doctorate of education in science education. The
science
education option is designed for individuals interested in K-12
education
(Not me).
The second option is a doctorate of education in science. It is
designed
for
students who have interest in research but are more interested in
teaching
at the university level. The second option requires a research project
that
provides a significant contribution to your research area (fish ecology
in
my case) and 4 courses specifically designed for teaching at the
university
level. Based on the responses I have received it seems unlikely that I
would
be granted an interview if my vitae included EdD and not a PhD.
Jay Beugly
[email protected]
This is a quick review of some of the responses I have received for
those of
you who are interested.
EdD won’t qualify you to teach in a university’s biology department
EdD is a BS with makeup
EdD qualifies you to teach high school only
Multiple respondents had never heard of an EdD
NSF identifies an EdD as a research doctorate equivalent to a PhD
Many, but not all, respondents with a PhD viewed the EdD very
negatively. It
appears that earning an EdD make working with or amongst PhDs more
difficult
due to some lack of respect
--
------------------------------------------------------
David M. Lawrence | Home: (804) 559-9786
7471 Brook Way Court | Fax: (804) 559-9787
Mechanicsville, VA 23111 | Email: [email protected]
USA | http: http://fuzzo.com
------------------------------------------------------
"We have met the enemy and he is us." -- Pogo
"No trespassing
4/17 of a haiku" -- Richard Brautigan
--
------------------------------------------------------
David M. Lawrence | Home: (804) 559-9786
7471 Brook Way Court | Fax: (804) 559-9787
Mechanicsville, VA 23111 | Email: [email protected]
USA | http: http://fuzzo.com
------------------------------------------------------
"We have met the enemy and he is us." -- Pogo
"No trespassing
4/17 of a haiku" -- Richard Brautigan
