EDEF 506 - EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
Fall Semester, 1999
Instructor: Dr. Edith Carter
Office: 217 Russell Hall
Phone: (O) 831-5510 (H) 639-1263
email - ecarter@runet.edu
Office Hours: 2:00 - 4:00 Mon, Tues, Wed.
Other hours by appointment
Class Time: 6:30-9:20 p.m., Tuesday
Index #: 1581
Description
An analysis of various approaches to the planning of research. Discusses techniques and procedures used in making and evaluating studies. Elementary statistics included. Three (3) semester hours.
Textbook and Manual
Fraenkel, G.R. & Wallen, N.E. (1993) How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education. (2nd ed.) New York: McGraw Hill.
Publications Manual of the American Psychological Association. Fourth Edition.
Supplementary Materials
Journal Research Articles
On Line data bases
Statistical packages
Resources
Writing Center - Muse Hall 1st floor Ph 831-6035
Computer Help Desk 831-6300
Objectives
1. To develop an understanding of the uses of research in education and thus become a consumer of research.
2. To examine various methods used in educational research, including strengths and limitations.
3. To help students become producers of research.
4. To understand and be able to explain briefly the fundamental concepts of educational research (e.g. hypothesis, sampling, , validity, reliability).
5. To understand and be able to explain the specific procedures involved in conducting educational research (e.g. formulating a research problem, reviewing the literature, selecting a sample, developing a methodology, listing references in proper format).
6. To develop a professional attitude toward the development and use of educational research.
7. To apply educational research to the specific field of endeavor.
Requirements
1. Participate actively in class discussions and exhibit a positive professional attitude toward educational research.
2. Attendance is expected at all class meetings. Attendance provides an opportunity to check understanding of concepts being developed in the course and to ask appropriate questions.
3. Read and analyze 3 research articles. Outline will be given for analysis
5. Research Proposal--Develop a proposal for a study you would like to conduct. The proposal should include the following: (1) Tentative Title (2) a problem statement and statement of the purpose of the study or what you hope to accomplish. (3) an hypothesis for expected findings (4) a review of the literature. (5) an explanation of the methodology to be used for the study. (6) a discussion of limitations of the study (7) a list of references in APA style.
6. Each class member will discuss their research proposal and be prepared to respond to questions concerning the proposal.
7. Each class member will complete an on line computer assignment.
8. Two or three short objective type tests will be given during the semester.
9. Students will further develop their research skills through team assignments.
Discussion of Proposal
You will be preparing a plan for a research study. You will do everything the researcher would do up to the point of collecting the data. (you will not be required to actually collect the data in order to complete this course).
The Proposal
Title: The title should summarize the main idea of the study. It should be a concise statement of the main topic and should identify the the actual variable or theoretical issues under investigation and athe relationship between them. It should be fully explanatory when standing alone. Example: " Parents' Time Allocation: A Comparison of Households Headed by One and Two Parents."
Introduction: A short paragraph to catch the readers attention--why this study is of interest
Statement of the Problem: A brief definition of the problem under consideration. This provides the basis for your research in the context of what is going on relative to issues being studied. Include purpose of study justification and definition of terms.
Hypothesis: A more sophisticated level of the problem. A hypothesis is simply a statement of expected outcomes. Note: If you are doing a qualitative study you will have objectives rather than a hypothesis
Literature Review: A Multi-page review of what earlier researchers have found concerning the topic. It highlights "related" research since, in most cases you cannot review all of the research studies on the topic.
Methodology: An explanation of how the study will be conducted including information on population and sample, description of instruments used, procedures (what, when, where, how of the study), description of statistical techniques. Remember this is a proposal. Verbs should be in the future, not past tense.
Limitations of the Study: A discussion of the potential problems or limits of the study. It will include the areas beyond the control of the researcher or the scope of the present research.
References: All materials used to research the study should appear in the reference list. All entries should follow the standard procedures listed in the APA Style Guide.
The proposal should also have a cover page conforming to APA guidelines and in addition should have a signed honor pledge
Note: All materials to be handed in should be typed. All material for the research proposal (except the references) should be double spaced.
We should communicate frequently about your assignments as we progress through the semester.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
August 25 Introductions - The nature of Educational Research
September 1 Developing a research proposal Chapters 1,2,3 Introduction to computer resources
September 8 Introduction and Problem Statement Due
Hypothesis and Literature Review
Chapters 4 & 5
September 15 Hypothesis/Objectives Due
Library Orientation
(Meet in Library viewing room 2nd floor.)
September 22 Review of APA Manual
Sampling Chapter 6
Article summary 1
September 29 Quiz 1
Causal Comparative Research Chapter 15
October 6 Survey Research Chapter 16 Article Summary 2
October 13 Literature Review Due (Short Draft)
Correlational Research Chapter 14
October 20 Fall Break
October 27 Methodology Section Due
Instrumentation & Reliability & Validity Chapters 7 & 8 Internal Validity Chapter 12
November 3 First Draft Due
Qualitative Reserch Chapter 18
Content Analysis Chapter 17
November 10 Quiz 2
Discussion of Focus Groups
Writing the Research Proposal Chapter 19
November 17 Experimental Research Chapter 13
November 24 Final project due
Statistics in Perspective Chapter 11
December 1 Article summary 3
Descriptive Statistics Chapter 9
December 8 Inferential Statistics Chapter 10
Quiz 3
December 15 Exam week -
Tentative Grading Scale
90 - 100 A
80 - 90 B
70 - 79 C
Attendance and participation 10%
Proposal 40%
Quizzes 30 %
Parts of reserch proposal 5 %
Article Reviews 15 %
Have a great semester. I look forward to working with you.
Grading Scale
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
Attendance 10%
Proposal 40%
Quizzes 35%
Participation and Special Assignments 15%