Overview of the DocStudy

The purpose of this study is to assess education research doctorate programs in the United States. The study is being jointly undertaken by the American Education Research Association (AERA) and the National Academy of Education (NAEd). A total of 96 institutions are participating in the study, with 569 programs across 17 fields of education research. The project includes a program-level survey, a faculty survey, and a student survey (in nine fields).

Made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the AERA-NAEd DocStudy is the first-ever comprehensive examination of education research doctorate programs in the U.S. The assessment will yield critical data and findings that can be used to establish benchmarks and quality criteria to advance and improve education research doctorate programs nationally. In addition to reporting on program attributes such as program and curriculum characteristics, student support and engagement in research, student and faculty demographics, and the scholarly productivity and impact of faculty, this study will also assess the elements of methodological and conceptual preparation of education research doctorates. 

• AERA-NAEd Initial News Release (PDF)
• Taxonomy of Study Fields 
• Faculty Questionnaire (PDF)
• Student Questionnaire (PDF)
• Program Questionnaire (PDF)

For further information on the AERA-NAEd DocStudy Program, please contact: