Marietta College Education Department - Educators as Leaders for 21st Century Schools
Education 640
Fall 2008
Class Meets: Wednesdays 6:30 to 9:30 pm.
201 Erwin Hall
One hour weekly peer studygroups are recommended.
Instructor: Dr. Bill Bauer
Contact Information: work 376-4768
Email-bauerm@marietta.edu
Course Description: An introduction to the different types of research. Course will cover quantitative, qualitative and mixed method designs. The course will also aid students to learn how to begin to do research, and learn how to read and evaluate research studies. A research proposal will be developed and given to your advisor for comments and suggestions. Your proposal will be developed in three stages. This proposal will be the beginning of your final research project for your individual department.
Required Texts/Readings:
American Psychological Association (2002). 5th Edition.
Publication
manual of the American Psychological
Association. Washington, D.C.: Author.
http://apa.org
1. Creswell J.(2008). 3rd edition Educational Research: Planning,
Conducting,
and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative
Research.
2.SPSS 14.0 Guide to Data Analysis by Marija J. Norusis
3.
The LiveText subscription fee of $80 must be paid by the end of the first
week of classes. Students who do not pay will need to drop the course.
Students
need to pay by cash or check payable to Education Department
Supplements
The Foundation Center's
Guide to Proposal Writing (3rd edition)
The student will:
|
Course Objectives
| Program Outcomes Addressed
| Teacher as Leader Framework Component
|
| 1. Be introduced to the foundations of empirical research (Qualitative and Quantitative and Mixed Methodologies | K-1 K-2 K-3 | II |
| 2. Discuss techniques that are applied to the study of the educational research process | K-1 K-2 K-3 | II IV |
| 4. Participate in small group and large group discussions surrounding educational research topics.
| S-12 S-7 S-11 S13 | IV |
| 5. Review required readings and be prepared to discuss topics in class.
| K-1 K-3 | II. III |
| 6. Evaluate 6 journal articles and describe in detail what methodology is used in the research.
| S-15 | II III |
| 7. Design research proposals and prepare a research proposal in class (must follow APA 5th edition format).
| S-5 S-7 S-12 S-13 | III II |
| 8. Student must get an 80% on an APA exam before the end of the class. Please check with the instructor to take the | S-5 S-6 K-1 K-3 | II III |
Marietta College Education Program Dispositions Addressed in this Course:
The student will:
Technology Components:
Classroom presentations by the instructor will use both the Internet and Power point. Students will do a presentation of their proposal utilizing the Power point. SPSS statistics program will be demonstrated in the computer lab.
Diversity/Multiculturalism:
Dr. Bauer will:
1.Remind students that contributions to the classroom should be made from diverse people to solve educational issues that could affect the teaching field.
2.Provide an atmosphere where all students are comfortable to express their thoughts and beliefs.
3.Use a variety of teaching styles (modes) to address a diverse classroom.
4. Encourage teams or groups within the classroom that foster mutual respect and cooperation.
5. Offer a chance for students to meet with me after class to discuss issues or assignments they may not have understood.
6. Promote research with a multicultural theme to enhance the understanding of multicutural issues.
Special Needs/Accommodation Policy:
Students who believe that they may need accommodations due to a documented disability should contact the Academic Resource Center (Andrews Hall, Third floor, 376-4700) and the instructor as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely manner. You must meet with the ARC staff to verify your eligibility for any accommodation and for academic assistance
Policy on Cheating and Plagiarism:
"Academic dishonesty within the
academic community is a very serious matter, because dishonesty destroys the basic
trust necessary for a healthy education environment. Academic dishonesty
is any treatment or representation of work as if one were fully responsible for
it, when it is in fact the work of another person. Academic dishonesty includes
cheating, plagiarism, theft, or improper manipulation of laboratory or research
data or theft of services. A substantiated case of academic dishonesty may result
in disciplinary action, including a failing grade on the project, a failing grade
in the course, or expulsion from the College" Academic dishonesty in a Master's
degree program is a very serious matter and will more than likely cause an expulsion
from the College( Marietta College Graduate Programs, 2003-2004 Catalog,
p. 34).
Copyright Policy
Please remember if you willfully disregard copyright law,
you accept responsibility and assume all liability for your actions.
Technology Components:
Students will be introduced to a variety of resources at the Dawes Library having to do with the Internet for searching purposes (OhioLink). Students will also be introduced to basic concepts using statistical systems such as SPSS and N*UDIST.
Attendance Policy:
Dr. Bauer requests that students attend all class sessions that are held. Points will be deducted from the final grade for each absence.
Grading:
The grades in this class are based on percentages. In this way, students will know how close they are to moving up a grade or slipping down a grade. Percentage points are absolute and non-negotiable.
97% - 100% A+ 83% - 86% B 70% - 72% C-
93% - 96% A 80% - 82% B- 67% - 69% D+
90% - 92% A- 77% - 79% C+ 63% - 66% D
87% - 89% B+ 73% - 76% C 60% - 62% D-
Below 60% F
Any assignment handed in late will be subject to a 10% per day penalty.
Assessment Outcomes:
| Course Assignments
| Assessment |
| Mid-term #1 (100 points) after 7th week | Exam |
| Final # 1 (150 points) after 14th week | Exam |
| Article Review ( 10 pts. a piece) 60 points | Written evaluation |
| Project Demonstration ( Power Point/Presentation) 100 points | LCD presentation to class or Colloquium |
| Proposal (225 points,75 points each section) See guidelines in Creswell and Bauer Guidelines Proposal Handed in 3 parts to your Advisor | Written proposal (handed in to your advisor) Hard Copy and Livetext Submission |
| Attendance and Participation (75 points) | Teacher chart |
| APA Exam (50 points) | Written take-home test |
Research Project Proposal:
The project demonstration will be a proposal for an empirical
research project. You will select a topic relevant to your field of study
and
propose a data-gathering project. You will
prepare your proposal according
to APA guidelines. (Sample
proposals will be available). It can be a proposal
for an actual
research project or it can be a proposal for a project that
is
actually never carried out. The project will be demonstrated
toward
the end of the semester and classmates will have a
chance to evaluate and
comment on their peer's research.
Use the Foundation Guide for this component of your research design.
Your proposal will be handed into your advisor in 3 parts. Dates are selected on your syllabus.
Articles:
You will be required to evaluate 6 journal articles and hand in
a
one-page summary of each article as well as the research
form (also attach
the article to the summary before handing
it in). Beginning the 2nd week
of class you may start
handing your summaries in to me. You will read and
write on
the empirical literature in the research area in which you have
selected (please tell me what your area is by the 2nd
Tuesday of the
session). You will share your findings in a
group setting and upon receiving
your articles back. You will
keep your articles in a 3 ring binder. This
information will be
very valuable to you as you become researchers.
Participation:
You will be graded on your total participation in class and the
quality
of your presentation as well. If you choose to use
any media during your
presentation please be sure to check
ahead of time for the usage of any audiovisual
equipment.
Students will profit most from the class when they decide on
a research topic early. Discussion will also center around
grant opportunities
that are available to get your research
funded. I recommend that you bear
in mind that the library
resources are limited. While many items are available
through the interlibrary loan, this process can take weeks
and we only
have 5 weeks. To aid in the process please
utilize the interlibrary loan
request as soon as possible to
ensure you have the articles you need.
Study Groups:
To enhance your knowledge of the subject matter and to
receive
very valuable peer critiques the instructor
recommends peer study groups.
You can meet at a time
convenient for your group.
Great Research Design Webistes
http://www.utexas.edu/its/rc/world/stat/
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/index.php
Class Schedule
|
Date | Topic to be Addressed | Readings | Assignments Due |
| 8.27 | Introduction to Research-APA Exam | Chapter 1 | |
| 9.3 | Quantitative and Qualitative | Chapter 2 | |
9.10
|
Identifying the Problem | Chapter 3 | http://www.statsoft.com/textbook/esc.html for Basic Stats |
| 9.17 | Reviewing the Literature | Chapter 4 | Draft of Topic Due Review of SPSS |
| 9.24 | Purpose, Question, Hypothesis | Chapter 5 |
|
| 10.1 | Collecting Quantitative Data | Chapter 6 |
Dr. Bauer's Variable Study Guide- |
| 10.8 | Analyzing and Interpreting Quantitative Data | Chapter 7 | Mid term 1 6 Articles due (hand in on Live text) |
| 10.15 | Collecting Qualititative Data | Chapter 8
| |
| 10.22 | Analyzing and Interpreting Qualitative Data | Chapter 9 | Chapter 1 due to your Advisor (Live Text) |
| 10.29 | Reporting and Evaluating Research | Chapter 10 | Power Point Presentation |
| 11.5 | Quantitative Designs | Chapter 11,12,13 | |
| 11.12 | Qualitative Designs and Mixed Methodologies and Action Research | Chapter 14,15,16 Chapter 17 | APA Exam Due Chapter 2 due to your advisor |
11/19 | Proposal Presentations/Short review of proposal
| MAED PResentations/Peer Evaluations Good link for trying to find out what is a good test to use.
| |
| 12.3 | Proposal Presentations/Short review of proposal |
| MAED PResentations/Peer Evaluations |
| 12.12 | Final | Comprehensive Exam | Final Exam Final Proposal Due to your advisor (Live Text) |
Additional Notables
1.Attendance is mandatory. There is a lot to cover in 15
weeks
and the course is very comprehensive. Absences
from class could result in
lower final grade.
2.Please remember to follow APA format.
3. College bookstore carries books that will be used in the
class.
4. If you need audio or visual equipment for your
presentations,
please be sure to make arrangements at least
a week in advance.