National Research Council
Assessment of Research-Doctorate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a number of places where the NRC provides information and answers to questions about the study.
The NRC Listserv provides official responses to questions from institutions participating in the study. Click here for a list of questions and official responses posted to the listserv (Last updated September 15, 2006). Listserv questions and responses are grouped by topic, and topics include:
- Assigning programs to fields
- Program eligibility for study
- Institutional questionnaire
- Sending and submitting questionnaires
- Faculty lists
- Program questionnaires
- Special programs
- Postdocs
The NRC maintains a Frequently Asked Questions website. Click here to visit the FAQ page. Below is a sample of questions and responses that are posted on the NRC's page:
- How are program faculty defined in the study?
- Should emeritus faculty be included in the study?
- How will faculty productivity be allocated?
- Will the assessment produce ratings of doctoral programs?
- How should faculty with joint appointments be categorized?
- How should clinical faculty be categorized?
- What is the purpose and use of data from "emerging fields"?
Answers to additional frequently asked questions can be found below.
Should a faculty members' primary specialization be the same as the program? (i.e. if the program is designated as “Integrated Biology” should the faculty have that as their primary specialization)
No, the faculty member’s primary specialization does not have to be the same as the main program specialization.
Can a faculty member have more than one primary specialization?
No, a faculty member should only have one primary specialization.
Is there a strategy that should be followed in selecting faculty member’s primary specialization?
No. Faculty members should choose a primary specialization that best fits their expertise. They can pick from the taxonomy (either major fields or the subfields) or they can write in their own.
Can one or more of the “Emerging Fields” be listed as a secondary field for the program?
YES.
Will an evaluation of web sites be part of the assessment?
Yes and no. Although websites will not be ranked as such, websites will be used for the qualitative part of the assessment. Assessors will be provided with the program’s website address, so the websites will serve as an important source of information about the program. Websites should be kept as up-to-date as possible regarding faculty and other relevant information.
Can we count people who left Pitt for another University but who are chairing committees and who are members of committees?
No. The NRC has very strongly stated that you should not list faculty who are currently at other universities unless you have a formal, joint program with another university.
Can we leave the “generic” department contact information for program faculty?
Yes, you can use the generic department address and telephone number. You must specify each person's e-mail address.
For more information about the NRC Assessment of Research-Doctoral Programs project, visit the NRC webpage.
If you have additional questions about the NRC Assessment of Research-Doctorate Programs at the University of Pittsburgh, please contact Michele Colvard.
Click here to return to Pitt's NRC homepage.
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