Doctoral Research Sequence
Saybrook's doctoral research requirements are designed to provide a sequence of research experiences around seven program-level learning outcomes that prepare students to complete the dissertation successfully. Students enrolled in doctoral programs that utilize the Department of Research courses will take between four and six Research courses before advancing to their dissertation courses.
Doctoral Research Program Outcomes
- PLO 1: Research Literature - Students demonstrate the ability to identify, critically evaluate, summarize, and synthesize published research in their field.
- PLO 2: Research Logic and Design - Students demonstrate an understanding of the basic elements of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research, including philosophical assumptions, research design, and specific research methods.
- PLO 3: Data Collection - Students identify, assess, and select from various types of data and data collection strategies as part of the review of existing studies or in the design of original research.
- PLO 4: Data Analysis - Students identify, assess, and make choices about analysis strategies as part of the review of existing studies or in the design of original research.
- PLO 5: Reporting Research - Students critically evaluate reported research and effectively present empirical research for scholarly presentation or publication.
- PLO 6: Research Ethics - Students critically evaluate ethical issues in existing research and demonstrate an understanding of intellectual property, human subjects protections, and referencing research with integrity and in alignment with professional ethical standards.
- PLO 7: Research and Practice - Students demonstrate the connection between research and practice. Students explain how research findings inform practice and how practice suggests research topics.