Typically, the Ph.D. degree is said to be more research-oriented, whereas the Ed.D. degree is aimed more at the educational practitioner. The two degrees were compared with regard to research design, statistics, target populations for inference of findings, and other characteristics. A sample of 1,007 Ph.D. and 960 Ed.D dissertations was selected from "Dissertation Abstracts International" from 1950-90. It was found that the percentage of Ph.D. dissertations is increasing and is higher for women. The Ph.D. dissertation uses more multivariate statistics and has wider generalizability, and is also more prevalent in certain majors. The Ed.D. dissertation does more survey research and is most prevalent in administration. No differences were found in basic versus applied science, or in the significance of findings. (Contains 6 references.) (Author/SLD)