Date of Award
1996
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Educational Leadership
First Advisor
Gary D. Chamberlin, Ph.D.
Abstract
The primary purpose of this study was to determine if there is a need for a doctorate in aviation, what content areas should be included in the doctoral program, and what type of degree should an aviation doctoral program establish, as perceived by doctorally-prepared aviation educators. A two-round Delphi method was used to obtain a consensus from a group of doctorally-prepared experts on the content areas for doctoral programs in nonengineering aviation science. The panel of 100 experts were all doctorally-prepared and were members of the University Aviation Association, or if not members of the UAA, were working in collegiate nonengineering aviation science programs. The respondents answered a survey questionnaire consisting of content areas derived from a comprehensive review of literature, a review of numerous content areas from other doctoral programs, and from examining Oklahoma State University's Doctor of Education program with an emphasis in aviation. Respondents ranked each item according to degree of importance and provided their own list of content areas. They were asked to rank 68 content areas in seven major categories: Research Methods and Data Collection Techniques, Data Analysis Techniques, Financial and Economic Analysis Techniques, Computer Skills, Educational/Teaching Skills, Professional Skills, and Aviation Content. The experts came to a strong consensus on 30 of 68 content areas. Sixty percent of the respondents indicated there was a need for a doctoral program, 31% were undecided and 9% said there was no need. The degree most preferred was the Ph.D. (50%), Doctor of Aviation Science (25%), and Ed.D. (10%). This study lays the groundwork for future studies in curriculum development at the doctoral level, provides a review of the literature, summary of the study, conclusions drawn from the study, and recommendations for further research.
Recommended Citation
Beck, Barry Robert, "A Doctoral Degree in Aviation Science: The Need, Curriculum Content, and Other Considerations as Perceived by Aviation Educators Holding Doctoral Degrees" (1996). Theses and Dissertations. 25.
https://research.ualr.edu/etd/25
