Click on image to enlarge Survey Results One important aspect of conducting research is the ability to employ research techniques confidently and with proficiency. The student survey asked students to rate their proficiency in using "some techniques used in my discipline" on a 1-5 scale, and faculty were asked to similarly rate the proficiency of students at the point of graduation. The two graphs show, by discipline, the relative assessments of dissertators and faculty. The bottom three categories of the scale are combined and shown together. Regardless of discipline, most respondents selected one of the top two categories. However, on the whole, students show less confidence in their own abilities than faculty have in them. This is particularly pronounced in education and mathematics. Also puzzling is that over 10% of neuroscience faculty were unable to respond to this question. Chart: Dissertator assessment of proficiency in using research techniques Charge: Faculty assessment of student proficiency in using research techniques

Click on image to enlarge Another important aspect of conducting investigations is the "ability to analyze and interpret data or text." We learned that this phrasing does not apply well to research in mathematics, which helps explain some of the findings shown here. The first graph depicts the proportion of dissertators who report having analyzed and interpreted data or text before conducting their dissertation research and during their dissertation research. It is not surprising that a higher proportion analyzed data during the dissertation. What is surprising is that 10in most fields report that they have not done so. What can be done to improve this situation? The next two graphs depict the assessment by faculty of a typical Ph.D. recipient's ability to analyze data with faculty guidance and independently. Faculty have more confidence in students' ability to analyze data with faculty guidance. What evidence are faculty using to make these judgments? Chart: Dissertators analyzed and interpreted data Chart: Faculty perception of proficiency of Ph.D. recipients in analyzing data with guidance from faculty Chart: Faculty perception of proficiency of Ph.D. recipients in analyzing data independently

Qualitative Results Survey respondents had the opportunity to write statements about the development of researchers. For a sample of what faculty had to say on this topic, click on the link below. In Their Own Words

Summary Description As part of the research strand of the Carnegie Initiative on the Doctorate (CID), two surveys -- one each to graduate students and faculty -- were administered by Carnegie staff to doctoral students and graduate faculty in the participating departments of the CID (84 departments and programs at 44 universities). Graduate Student Survey The Carnegie Graduate Student Survey was administered to all doctoral students in participating departments. In all, 2,176 students from 76 departments at 40 universities responded. Graduate Faculty Survey The Carnegie Graduate Faculty survey was administered to faculty in participating departments. In all, 668 faculty members in 63 departments at 32 universities completed the survey. Overview of surveys Summary of survey goals and overview of tables and graphs. Snapshot of Survey Data This snapshot includes several graphs and tables of data from the CID faculty and student surveys.

Carnegie CID staff Contact Information Carnegie Initiative on the Doctorate cid@carnegiefoundation.org 650/566-5107