Cognitive style and teaching technique were studied when 25 doctoral students taught a class session within their field of study and a session outside it. Out-of-field teaching produced anxiety that students attempt to overcome by going to more structured fields and using more formal and traditional teaching methods. (Author/MSE)

Cost-benefit analysis is used to illustrate current thinking about academic program review and analysis. It indicates that, at the margin, some important benefits of doctoral education have been understated and marginal costs exaggerated. It is suggested that program review choices are best left to the institutions. (MSE)

The College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, engaged in an innovative, intense approach to clerkship curriculum development based on the nominal group process. The nominal group process is defined as a method of soliciting ideas and constructive input from experts with differing backgrounds and perceptions. (Author/MLW)

Focuses on the lengthy written examinations ("prelims") that most students are required to take as part of their doctoral training. Summarizes results of a comprehensive national survey of preliminary examination practices. Presents an alternative to the traditional written examination: developing and being judged on a list of scholarly skills.…

A study of psychology department statistics in the United States from 1970 through 1980 revealed little change over a 10 year period in the number of undergraduate majors, graduate students, faculty, and secretaries. Statistics are broken down by region, institutional character and size, and type of graduate program. (Author/APM)

The National Longitudinal Study (NLS) sample and data collection efforts are described and the nature of information available for each data collection effort is briefly reviewed. Possible implications and limitations that the NLS database has for use in graduate training programs in higher education are also investigated. (SF)

Across the country, students are flocking to graduate business schools that teach them how to start and run a business. About 400 schools now offer courses in entrepreneurship, and about 125 have organized entrepreneurship programs. Faculty being recruited for the programs have practical experience, but tend not to have doctorates. Many students…

Describes a new competence-based engineering doctorate proposed by the Science and Economics Research Council (United Kingdom). The Parnaby Report mandated expert knowledge; appreciation of industrial engineering and development culture; skills in: project and program management, teamwork and leadership, communication, technical organization,…

Special education doctoral programs in 44 universities were surveyed to assess program characteristics, student characteristics, and student financial support. Results indicate that both numbers of focus areas of doctoral studies (such as early childhood, severe/multiple disabilities, and learning disabilities) and sources of student support have…

This paper describes a research-based apprenticeship model preparing minority group students to enter doctoral programs with the goal of becoming faculty members in university special education departments. Seventeen recommendations for recruitment and training strategies are offered, such as providing enhanced financial aid and providing faculty…

Examines the pastoral skills of PhD supervisors. The pastoral dimension of supervision can create conditions in which supervisors become too emotionally involved with their students. Costs of this over-involvement are identified and it is recommended that training programs for PhD supervisors contain a pastoral skills component. (RJM)

Discusses the academic research productivity of faculty members and constructs hypotheses based on the life-cycle model of academic research and previous studies. Reports results of a national survey of information systems (IS) faculty that investigated time allocated to research activity, doctoral programs, faculty experience, teaching load,…

Discusses an atypical doctoral degree program in Community College Leadership at Mississippi State University, which takes an interdisciplinary approach to educating future rural community college administrators. Program characteristics include: (1) instruction and research driven by priorities established by rural community colleges; (2) a degree…

Notes that few counseling psychologists publish research after obtaining their doctoral degree. Investigated predictors of research productivity and science-related career goals in doctoral students (N=267) from 15 counseling psychology programs. Findings indicate career goals and research productivity can be predicted by Holland personality type,…

Illustrates how Exploratory Practice (EP), a form of practitioner research, offers a successful and coherent approach to doctoral research and how learner and teacher/researcher understanding can be developed together. EP principles were used to integrate teaching practices and research in an applied setting to aid both the students and the…