The Ph.D. Inquiry Methodology Program is dedicated to the advancement of social and behavioral research by critically evaluating, improving, and developing methodological theory and methodologies so that phenomena of interest can be more soundly investigated and better understood. Students can choose to focus on a quantitative, qualitative, or an integrated program of study. The program is designed to be flexible enough to handle a wide variety of student interests (e.g., statistical modeling, measurement, advanced psychometrics, methodological theory, evaluation, ethnography, philosophy of social science, hermeneutic-reconstructive analysis, discourse and narrative analysis, critical ethnography and feminist research), but rigorous so as to ensure that its graduates can meaningfully contribute to the study of social and behavioral research.

Degree Requirements

Major Requirements (39 cr. minimum)
Inquiry Requirements
All Inquiry students must take the following 3 courses:

• Y521 Methodological Approaches to Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)
• Y515 Foundations of Educational Inquiry (3 cr.)
• Y600 Methodological Implications of Social & Psychological Theories (3 cr.)

Inquiry methodology students can opt for a qualitative, a quantitative or an integrated track combining both qualitative and quantitative courses. For the qualitative and quantitative tracks the students must select a reasonable sequence of courses (30 hours minimum) from among the list below or their equivalent in other Indiana University–Bloomington schools or departments. At least 18 hours have to be selected from the track of emphasis, and at least two courses must be taken in the opposite track course listing (not to include courses listed as focusing on integrated methodologies – which may be taken as part of the 18 hours in the track of emphasis or as electives). For an integrated track, students must select at least 12 credit hours in the qualitative track and 12 credit hours in the quantitative track.

Qualitative Courses (30 cr. minimum)

• Y510 Action Research I (3 cr.)
• Y611 Qualitative Inquiry in Education (3 cr.)
• Y612 Critical Qualitative Inquiry I (3 cr.)
  • Must be taken concurrently with Y500.
• Y613 Critical Qualitative Inquiry II (3 cr.)
  • Must be taken concurrently with Y500.
• Y630 Narrative Theory and Inquiry (3 cr.)
• Y631 Discourse Theory and Analysis (3 cr.)
• Y671 Knowledge, Reflection & Critique in Methodological Theory (3 cr.)
• Y672 Communicative Action Theory (3 cr.)

Quantitative Courses (30 cr. minimum)

• Y502 Intermediate Inferential Statistics (3 cr.)
  • Must be taken concurrently with Y500.
• Y527 Educational Assessment and Psychological Measurement (3 cr.)
• Y603 Statistical Design of Educational Research (3 cr.)
  • Must be taken concurrently with Y500.
• Y604 Applied Multivariate Statistics (3 cr.)
  • Must be taken concurrently with Y500.
• Y617 Psychometric Theory (3 cr.)
• Y627 Seminar in Educational and Psychological Measurement I (3 cr.)
• Y637 Categorical Data Analysis (3 cr.)
• Y639 Multilevel Modeling (3 cr.)
• Y645 Covariance Structure Analysis (3 cr.)
• Y655 Longitudinal Data Analysis (3 cr.)

Courses Common to Both Tracks

• Y500 Computer Lab for Educational Inquiry (1 cr.)
• Y650 Topics in Inquiry Methodology (3 cr.)
• Y660 Affinity Research Group (3 cr.)
• Y590 Independent Study or Research in Inquiry Methodology (1-3 cr.)
• Y690 Advanced Independent Study in Inquiry Methodology (1-3 cr.)
• Y750 Seminar in Inquiry Methodology (3 cr.)

Courses Focusing on Integrated Methodologies

• Y525 Survey Research Methodology (3 cr.)
• Y535 Evaluation Models & Techniques (3 cr.)
• Y635 Methodology of Educational Evaluation (3 cr.)

Minor Requirements (12-18 cr.)
The minor must have integrity in its own right and must complement the major. The minor field must demonstrate wholeness within itself and contribute to the student's overall doctoral program. Minors are normally formulated within a single program area. However, an interdisciplinary or individualized minor is also possible. Interdisciplinary or individualized minors require a written description of the minor's underlying theme along with a rationale for each course's contribution to that theme through the Minor Justification form. This form should be submitted and approved by the Graduate Studies Office prior to enrolling in the minor courses.

Students will select a minor field of study to complement their study of inquiry methodology. Because inquiry methodology interfaces with substantive areas of study it is important for students in inquiry methodology to develop understandings in at least one such area so that they grasp the complexity of methodology in use. The minor serves to develop students substantive area of interest. Major area courses (those within the Inquiry Methodology program) may not be used in the minor.

Elective Requirements (6 cr. minimum)
Educational research is multidisciplinary in nature, and students have a broad range of research interests and career plans which requires flexibility for their programs of studies. The program, therefore, enables students to tailor their electives in consultation with their Advisory Committees.

Electives may be taken in fields inside or outside the School of Education. Students may take electives in any area of interest to complement their program of study.

Dissertation Requirements (15 cr.)

• G795 Dissertation Proposal Preparation (3 cr.)
• G799 Doctoral Thesis in Counseling Psychology (12 cr.)