Spring 2018 - EDUC 866 G001

Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (5)

Class Number: 10209

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Thu, 4:30–9:20 p.m.
    Surrey

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course introduces students to qualitative research in education and examines topics such as identifying problems, using conceptual frameworks, coding, data analysis, drawing interpretations, and constructing arguments.

COURSE DETAILS:

Qualitative researchers are interested in understanding how people interpret their experiences, how they construct their worlds, and what meaning they attribute to their experiences.” (Merriam, 2009, p. 5)  

This course introduces students to the purposes behind qualitative research and the various forms and approaches that researchers take to understand the phenomenon they are investigating. Five main approaches are examined: narrative research; phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case study. We will also review action research, arts-based research, visual methodologies and mixed methods. Students will have the opportunity to engage with data and gain practical experience coding and interpreting data. Students will work through various stages of the research proposal process, gaining experience with identifying key questions, writing a literature review, justifying their choice of research methods and weighing ethical factors. Ways of recording qualitative findings also will be explored.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course is designed to help students:

  • Explore and evaluate different forms of qualitative research
  • Build a foundation of understanding of qualitative research theory and practice
  • Make wise and justifiable decisions about their choice of research methods
  • Design a qualitative research study
  • Consider their own positionality within qualitative research paradigms
  • Communicate qualitative research findings

Grading

  • A series of short assignments based on key steps in the research process 50%
  • An analysis and presentation of one qualitative research approach 20%
  • Discussion and critique of readings 10%
  • A proposal for a research project (builds on #1 above) 20%

NOTES:

More detailed information regarding the assignments will be provided on the first day of classes. Please also note that one assignment involves a field study off campus, at a location chosen by the student. Information about the choice of venue, as well as risk and safety issues, will be reviewed in class prior to the field study.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Creswell, J. W. & Poth, C. N. (2017). Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five approaches, 4th Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
ISBN: 978-1-5063-3020-4

Merriam, S. & Tisdell, E. (2016). Qualitative research: a guide to design and implementation, 4th Edition. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass
ISBN: 111900361X, 97811190

You may purchase the books through Amazon or Chapters, or the SFU Bookstore (in Surrey). Please note that it is the 4th edition of both books that we will be using.  Please also ensure that you have purchased the books by the first day of classes.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS