Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - EDUC 866 G001

Qualitative Methods in Educational Research (5)

Class Number: 2695

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Wed, 4:30–9:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

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 can 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. During class, students will have an opportunity to engage in different stages of the research process, including forming research questions, data collection, coding, and interpretation. Students will also work through various stages of a 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 (both during and out of class) based on key steps in the research process 50%
  • An analysis and presentation of one qualitative research approach 20%
  • Participation, Discussion and Critique of readings 10%
  • A research proposal project 20%

NOTES:

More detailed information regarding the assignments will be provided on the first day of classes.

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-13: 978-1-5063-3020-4.
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
ISBN: 111900361X, 97811190

Some additional required readings will be distributed by the instructor throughout the duration of the course, which will include some research articles and other readings.

You may purchase the books through Amazon or Chapters, or the SFU Bookstore. 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:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).