Content Analysis of PhD and EdD Dissertations in Special Education

Abstract

Previous research conducted by Nelson and Coorough (1994) found support for the statement that PhD programs were more research oriented, whereas doctorate of education (EdD) programs were more oriented to the educational practitioner. This previous study, however, had grouped all dissertations in education and had not looked at dissertations by content area. The current study is a comparison of PhD and EdD dissertations from 1997 to 2010 in the content area of special education on the variables of research design, statistics, target populations, significance of results as well as the age and exceptionality category of participants. No differences were found in the percentage of dissertations in special education for type of degree by gender and type of research (i.e., applied vs. basic) by degree type (i.e., PhD vs. EdD). Significant differences, however, were found on the variables of research design, statistics, target populations, significance of results, age of participants, and exceptionality category. The results are discussed as they pertain to the research orientation of PhD and EdD programs in special education.