University Research - Does It Matter?

Recently, we've seen posts in this NG regarding research being conducted by DL institutions. A significant question to ask for prospective students is "Should I consider a school's level of research when considering enrollment?" I'll focus on graduate education in this post - research for undergraduate institutions is a somewhat different topic.

The answer depends on a lot of factors. Most important is this - what is your objective for earning a graduate degree? If you are hoping to enter the academic workplace, then research should be very important to you. PhD degrees are research degrees. Learning how to conduct research is essential if you hope to survive in the academic world. If your interests are more in professional development (such as an MBA), then research plays a different, although important, role.

Speaking at the graduate level, I'd suggest that the level of research at a school you're considering is important for several reasons:

1. Research influences a school's overall prestige - schools don't often find their way into the news due to great teaching. Research does get more notice. For better or for worse - I'm convinced of this.

2. Research reflects an active intellectual environment - How do faculty members stay current and on the cutting edge of their fields? Research in some form is it. At a graduate level, I'm convinced that truly outstanding faculty have to be actively involved in research to remain outstanding.

3. Research can find its way to the classroom - Students may be able to work with faculty on research projects. Moreover, faculty that are active in research can bring their work (and their intellectual curiosity) to their students.

Wonder why many DL doctoral programs are looked down upon? The lack of research at such schools (at least among US programs) is one major reason. How can a quality doctoral program function without research by students and faculty? It can't.

Research comes in different forms depending on the field of study. In my field (business) there is relatively little funded research. In fact, most top business schools receive less than 3% of their revenues from research. As a business prof I've had to collaborate with engineering colleagues to get in on funded research projects. In the sciences, engineering and medical fields, there is much more funded research - both at a basic and applied level.

I'd add a small point about NSU, my alma mater - NSU currently generates some $4+ million a year in research funding and was ranked 348th on one ranking list I saw among universities in the US. Given NSU's growth in health professions (medicine, pharmacy, psychology and the like) they'll probably generate more dollars in this realm in the coming years. Among the US DL schools we speak of most frequently here, NSU certainly stands tall in research - yet, in the grander scope of things is still a midget in research. Top research schools generate 100's of times more dollars in research than NSU does.

Here is one ranking list on research funding:

http://thecenter.ufl.edu/AnyFed1990-2000-II/Tot_Research_1998-2002.xls

 

Hi Andy,

The question you raise is an interesting one. I believe that some of the "DL schools" believe they are doing basic and applied research in psychology, education and business.

Perhaps there is also a question of whether the research being conducting is "important" or "impactful"? I can think of two Nova DBAs I know who were able to get one or two articles subsequently published as a result of their dissertation work. In fact, there is a requirement to get something published. That says something about the questions addressed by the research. I know that at Touro there are several of us who are being groomed to publish after our dissertations are finished, and I think publishability of the research beyond the dissertation is a gating factor in dissertation proposal approval.

My personal view is that a vibrant doctoral program will produce publishable research regardless of the modality. The newness of some of the DL programs probably puts them at a disadvantage in such comparisons regarding published research. Moreover, it takes a reputation to attract funded research along with some altruistic and importance factors of the research question.

Dave

 

Misgivings

Exactly. Right, dead on.

This is the one thing that bothers me more than anything else about D/L research doctorates from ANY school; does the degree recipient become a part of the interlocking academic pure research community? I have a very, very hard time believing that he does. Yet, in a way, acceptence into that community is precisely what the Ph.D. signifies.

There have been exceptions of course. Einstein did his best work and published his best papers as a patent office clerk. He worked alone and without the support of organized academia, a.k.a. a University or (these days) business sponsored research center. But how many D/L Ph.D.s are Einsteins?

I have less difficulty with the so called "professional reseach" degrees such as the Ed.D. and D.B.A. These programs are not designed to train pure researchers (though I guess the Ed.D. essentially IS a Ph.D. these days).

It appears that DETC feels somewhat the same way since they aren't contemplating accrediting U.S. Ph.D. programs.