Quantitative Research, Evaluation, and Measurement
Program Overview
The aim of the Quantitative Research, Evaluation, and Measurement (QREM) section is to prepare graduates who combine expertise in three interrelated areas: research design and
statistics, program and personnel evaluation, and applied measurement/testing. Faculty members in this section believe that these areas of expertise can be used to improve education in many settings including classrooms, public agencies, health service organizations, and business, to name a few. We believe that QREM skills form a critical cornerstone of educational inquiry using quantitative techniques. They traditionally have served as the methodological backbone in exploring and assessing new ideas and methods.
The mission of the Quantitative Research, Evaluation, and Measurement section is to contribute to scholarly inquiry and support educational practice at related areas of the University, College, and School. More specifically, the mission consists of three parts as outlined below:
- To prepare graduates as leaders with expertise in quantitative research, evaluation, and measurement.
- To complement the methodological and professional offerings of the School of Educational Policy and Leadership, the College and the University and to enhance the skills of graduates as they embark upon careers in schools, government, public agencies, health service organizations, business, and industry.
- To contribute to scholarly inquiry and support educational practice in the School, College,and University by:
- expanding knowledge in education;
- linking quantitative educational research; evaluation, and measurement with educational practice and likewise, practice with research;
- conducting systematic studies of quantitative educational research, evaluation, and measurement methods and issues;
- supporting other instructional, research; evaluation, and measurement efforts throughout the School, College, and University; and providing computer lab facilities with modern sophistication.
The teaching profession is being reshaped by new developments such as: rapidly changing theoretical and technological advances in statistical methodology, greater emphasis on the measurement and evaluation of professional practice, new techniques of program evaluation, the study of program implementation, and the assessment of student achievement and progress to name but a few. Thus, it has never been more important for colleges of education to have strong academic components that study quantitative research, evaluation, and measurement as a specialized area.
In QREM, we focus on three highly related aspects of inquiry as they impact on educational and organizational outcomes and processes. Research design and statistical methods are of critical importance to evaluation and to the development of measurement techniques and instruments. Not only does evaluation use these methods, it offers unique ones (needs assessment, evaluation design, concept mapping) that enhance and expand the tools of practicing researchers and measurement specialists. Measurement provides the third vital ingredient, i.e., the specification, development and validation of instruments, which, in turn, become integral parts of research and evaluation studies. Another important aspect of measurement includes determining instrument quality (reliability and validity) using advanced research techniques through collecting and analyzing data.