Educational Research and Statistics

<h2 id="section---IsEducationalResearchAndStatisticsForMe">Is Educational Research and Statistics For Me?</h2> <h3 id="section---CareerOverview">Career Overview</h3> <p>Educational research analysts and statisticians design evaluation tools, administer tests, gather and analyze statistical data, and prepare and deliver reports based on the results of their analyses. They typically work for universities, research institutions or governmental agencies that are looking to guide educational program and policy decisions. Most <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Careers_Are_Available_in_Education_Research.html">educational research analysts</a> hold graduate degrees in either statistics or in education, with an <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Educational_Assessment_and_Evaluation_Master's_Degree.html">emphasis on evaluation</a>, research, measurement or statistics. </p> <h3 id="section---Employment">Employment</h3> <p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2012, statisticians who worked in the field of state, local or private education earned a median salary of $66,210, while those who worked for the federal government earned $97,250 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). As of March 2014, <i>Salary.com</i> reported that research directors at the university level made a median salary of $86,195, and assistant research directors earned a median salary of $67,974. The BLS further reports that jobs for statisticians are expected to increase 27% from 2012-2022. </p> <h2 id="section---HowCanIWorkInEducationalResearchAndStatistics">How Can I Work in Educational Research and Statistics?</h2> <h3 id="section---Education">Education</h3> <p>While a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Statistics_Majors_Your_Questions_Answered.html">bachelor's degree in statistics</a> may allow you to work for the federal government in research analysis, most employers will require you to have a graduate-level degree. Undergraduate and <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Masters_Degree_in_Statistics_Program_FAQs.html">graduate degree programs in statistics</a> are widely available; however, educational research degree programs are typically only available at the graduate level. To prepare for a master's degree program in statistics, you should consider completing undergraduate coursework in statistics, linear algebra and applied multivariate analysis. </p> <p>Master's degree programs in educational research methods and statistics will likely include coursework covering the foundations of education, educational research and educational administration and policy. <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Online_Graduate_Statistics_Courses_Frequently_Asked_Questions.html">Statistical</a> and research coursework should cover topics such as quantitative analysis, structural equation modeling and measurement theory. In addition to educational research, these types of degrees should prepare you to perform research analysis for health care, insurance or national testing companies. </p> <p>Doctoral degree programs in educational statistics and research methods may require you to either have completed a master's degree or may include a master's degree within the program. Coursework will likely cover topics such as issues in educational policy, educational assessment, multiple regression techniques for education and exploratory data analysis. Earning a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/PhD_in_Statistics_Online_and_Campus-Based_Program_FAQs.html">doctoral degree in statistics</a> or <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Can_I_Do_with_a_PHD_in_Education.html">educational research</a> would prepare you to work in research, teach at the university level or lead research teams. </p> <h3 id="section---RequiredSkills">Required Skills</h3> <p>You will likely need to be detail-oriented and highly organized. You should also have excellent communications skills in order to relate conclusions based on complex mathematical models to people without backgrounds in statistics or analytics.</p>