Education

Master of Education in Research, Evaluation and Assessment

The Master of Education in Research, Evaluation and Assessment is a comprehensive postgraduate programme that combines educational research methodology, programme evaluation, and educational assessment expertise. The programme prepares graduates to design research, evaluate educational programmes, develop assessment systems, and contribute to evidence-based education through integrated research, evaluation, and assessment skills.

Core areas of study include educational research methods, educational statistics, measurement and evaluation, test construction and validation, programme evaluation, assessment design, psychometrics, qualitative and quantitative research methods, data analysis, and research thesis. Students engage with the full spectrum of evidence-based educational inquiry from research design through evaluation to assessment.

The programme is offered by Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, and Karatina University, with Kenyatta University listed as a college. Kenyatta University offers the programme as one of its five MEd specialisations, providing comprehensive training in research, evaluation, and assessment.

Students develop competencies in research design, programme evaluation, assessment design, psychometric methods, statistical analysis, qualitative research, quantitative research, data analysis, measurement theory, and evidence-based decision making. The programme includes coursework, examinations, and a thesis or project option, with thesis students taking minimum 10 units and project students minimum 14 units.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time, part-time, DSVOL, and institution-based modes available. Coursework combines theoretical foundations with practical research, evaluation, and assessment projects. The programme is designed for teachers, researchers, assessment specialists, evaluation officers, and education managers seeking comprehensive evidence-based education expertise.

Graduates pursue careers as educational researchers, evaluation specialists, assessment specialists, data analysts, research coordinators, quality assurance officers, and education consultants in universities, research institutions, examination boards, government, NGOs, and international organisations.

Skills Required

Educational Research Methods
Programme Evaluation
Educational Assessment Design
Psychometrics and Measurement Theory
Educational Statistics and Data Analysis
Qualitative Research Methods
Quantitative Research Methods
Test Construction and Validation
Quality Assurance in Education
Evidence-Based Decision Making

Key Subjects

Educational Research Methods
Educational Statistics
Measurement and Evaluation
Programme Evaluation
Assessment Design and Test Construction
Psychometrics and Measurement Theory
Qualitative Research Methods
Quantitative Research Methods
Data Analysis
Research Thesis

Certifications

AERA Professional Membership
IAEA Professional Membership

Specializations

Educational Research

Focuses on educational research methodology, research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, and conducting original educational research.

Programme Evaluation

Examines programme evaluation methods, evaluation design, impact evaluation, process evaluation, and using evaluation findings for educational improvement.

Educational Assessment

Covers assessment design, test construction, performance assessment, large-scale assessment, and developing valid and reliable assessment systems.

Psychometrics and Measurement

Focuses on psychometric methods, classical test theory, item response theory, reliability and validity, and educational measurement theory.

Educational Statistics

Examines educational statistics, statistical analysis for research and assessment, data analysis techniques, and using statistical software for educational data.

Quality Assurance in Education

Covers quality assurance frameworks, education standards, institutional evaluation, and using research and assessment for quality improvement.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Focuses on using research, evaluation, and assessment data for educational decision making, data interpretation, and evidence-based education policy.

Mixed Methods Research

Examines mixed methods research design, integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches, and combining research, evaluation, and assessment data.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 246,000
Private, up to: Ksh 191,050
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, School-based, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Educational Research Methods
Educational Statistics
Measurement and Evaluation
Programme Evaluation
Assessment Design and Test Construction
Psychometrics and Measurement Theory
Qualitative Research Methods
Quantitative Research Methods
Data Analysis
Research Thesis

Modules

10 in the programme

Educational Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for conducting original research in education, including research design, paradigms, and methodology.
Educational Statistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines statistical methods for educational research and assessment, including descriptive and inferential statistics, and data analysis techniques.
Measurement and Evaluation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers measurement theory, evaluation methods, classical test theory, reliability and validity, and foundational concepts in educational measurement.
Qualitative Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines qualitative research methods including ethnography, phenomenology, case study, grounded theory, and qualitative data collection and analysis.
Programme Evaluation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers programme evaluation methods, evaluation design, impact evaluation, process evaluation, and using evaluation findings for educational improvement.
Assessment Design and Test Construction
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines assessment design principles, test construction methods, item writing, test blueprints, and developing valid and reliable assessment instruments.
Psychometrics and Measurement Theory
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers psychometric methods, classical test theory, item response theory, reliability and validity, and advanced educational measurement theory.
Quantitative Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines quantitative research methods including survey design, experimental research, statistical analysis, and quantitative data interpretation in education.
Data Analysis and Computer Applications
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers computer applications for research and assessment data analysis, including statistical software, qualitative analysis software, and data management.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 28 creditsCore
Original research thesis combining research, evaluation, and assessment elements, demonstrating mastery of research methods and measurement theory, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Educational Research
Focuses on educational research methodology, research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, and conducting original educational research.
Programme Evaluation
Examines programme evaluation methods, evaluation design, impact evaluation, process evaluation, and using evaluation findings for educational improvement.
Educational Assessment
Covers assessment design, test construction, performance assessment, large-scale assessment, and developing valid and reliable assessment systems.
Psychometrics and Measurement
Focuses on psychometric methods, classical test theory, item response theory, reliability and validity, and educational measurement theory.
Educational Statistics
Examines educational statistics, statistical analysis for research and assessment, data analysis techniques, and using statistical software for educational data.
Quality Assurance in Education
Covers quality assurance frameworks, education standards, institutional evaluation, and using research and assessment for quality improvement.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Focuses on using research, evaluation, and assessment data for educational decision making, data interpretation, and evidence-based education policy.
Mixed Methods Research
Examines mixed methods research design, integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches, and combining research, evaluation, and assessment data.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on research methods, programme evaluation, or assessment design. Students engage in seminar discussions analysing research papers, evaluation case studies, and assessment frameworks. Group projects involve designing research studies, developing evaluation plans, or constructing assessment instruments. Practical sessions include data analysis using statistical software, psychometric analysis of test data, and qualitative data analysis. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, with training in both qualitative and quantitative methods. The programme includes colloquium sessions where students present research proposals and findings for peer critique. Guest lectures from KNEC assessment specialists, experienced researchers, evaluation practitioners, and international scholars provide real-world insights. Those in the thesis phase conduct independent research combining research, evaluation, and assessment elements, working under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme provides comprehensive integrated expertise in research, evaluation, and assessment, preparing versatile evidence-based education professionals.
Programme combines theoretical foundations with practical data analysis, assessment design, and evaluation projects using statistical and qualitative software.
Graduates can pursue diverse careers in research, evaluation, assessment, and data analysis across universities, examination boards, government, and NGOs.
Programme aligns with international standards through AERA, IAEA, and AfrEA professional networks.

Against it

Programme is offered at only three public universities, limiting geographic access for prospective students.
No private university offers this programme, limiting options for students preferring private institution environments.
Statistical and psychometric components may be challenging for students without strong quantitative backgrounds.
Broad scope covering three areas may mean less depth in each compared to specialised programmes in only research, evaluation, or assessment.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public187k to 246k

187k at Moi University246k at Kenyatta University

Private165k to 191k

165k at Kabarak University191k at Africa International University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 246K/yr (ku.ac.ke). Moi ~187K/yr (worldscholarshipforum). Kabarak 165K, AIU 191K/yr.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. TSC may grant study leave with sponsorship for teachers. NACOSTI and other research bodies may offer research grants. KNEC may sponsor examination officers for assessment training. The programme's evidence-based focus attracts research and evaluation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
TSC Study Leave Sponsorship
NACOSTI Research Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
TSC Study Leave Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 246,000Kenyan
TSC-employed teachers may be granted study leave with sponsorship for postgraduate education in research, evaluation, and assessment.
NACOSTI Research Grants
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
NACOSTI and other research bodies may offer research grants for educational research, including thesis research funding.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is available in full-time, part-time, DSVOL, and institution-based modes. Students can choose between thesis (minimum 10 units) or project (minimum 14 units) options. Designed for teachers, researchers, assessment specialists, evaluation officers, and education managers.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
CATs, research design exercises, evaluation plan development, assessment instrument design, statistical analysis problems, and seminar presentations.
Practical Projects
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment involving research design, evaluation exercises, test construction, psychometric analysis, and data analysis projects.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering research methods, evaluation, assessment, psychometrics, and statistics, including essay and quantitative analysis.
Research Thesis or Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis or project combining research, evaluation, and assessment elements, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Karatina University, and Kenyatta University are all CUE-accredited public universities. Research is regulated by NACOSTI and assessment aligns with KNEC and IAEA standards.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Moi University, Meru University of Science and Technology, Karatina University, and Kenyatta University are all CUE-accredited public universities.
International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA)
Professional standards
IAEA provides global standards for educational assessment. The programme aligns with IAEA standards, and graduates may pursue IAEA professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Educational Researcher
High demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 350,000
Conducts educational research for universities, research institutions, or international organisations, designing studies and publishing research findings.
Evaluation Specialist
High demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 350,000
Designs and conducts programme evaluations for NGOs, government, or international organisations, evaluating education programmes and interventions.
Assessment Specialist
High demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 350,000
Designs and implements assessment systems for examination boards, schools, or educational organisations, overseeing test development and data analysis.
Data Analyst
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Analyses educational data for government, research institutions, or organisations, using statistical software and data analysis techniques.
Research Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 320,000
Coordinates research and evaluation projects for universities, NGOs, or research organisations, managing research design, data collection, and reporting.
Quality Assurance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Monitors and assures education quality using research, evaluation, and assessment data in schools, universities, or education departments.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as educational researchers, evaluation specialists, assessment specialists, and data analysts in universities, examination boards, government, NGOs, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for educational research and assessment, including survey data analysis, reliability analysis, and statistical testing.
NVivo
SoftwarePrimary
Qualitative data analysis software for analysing interview data, documents, and qualitative research in educational studies.
R
Software
Statistical programming language for advanced psychometric analysis, item response theory modelling, and data visualisation.
EndNote
Software
Reference management software for managing citations, bibliographies, and research sources in educational research and thesis writing.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Research, evaluation and assessment is just about statistics and numbers.
The programme covers comprehensive research methodology including qualitative methods, programme evaluation, assessment design, and measurement theory, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches.
This programme is only for examination board staff.
Graduates work in universities, research institutions, government, NGOs, and international organisations, applying research, evaluation, and assessment expertise across diverse settings.
Combining research, evaluation and assessment makes the programme too broad.
The integrated approach provides comprehensive evidence-based education skills, connecting research design, programme evaluation, and assessment in a coherent framework.
You need strong mathematics to study this programme.
While statistics is covered, the programme develops analytical skills from foundational levels, with computer applications for data analysis supporting practical implementation.
This programme duplicates other MEd research or assessment specialisations.
The combined focus on research, evaluation, and assessment provides unique integrated expertise, distinct from programmes focusing on only one area.
Evidence-based education has limited practical application in Kenyan schools.
Kenya's competency-based curriculum, examination reforms, and growing emphasis on learning outcomes create direct demand for research, evaluation, and assessment expertise.