Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2020 - EDUC 864 G031

Research Designs in Education (5)

Class Number: 3784

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Location: TBA

  • Instructor:

    Michelle Pidgeon
    mep9@sfu.ca
    604-551-6195
    Office: SURC 5216

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Designing and interpreting research about education. Introduction to survey techniques, correlational designs, classic experimental and evaluation designs for investigating causal relations, case study methods, interpretive approaches to research. Students with credit for EDUC 814 may not take this course for further credit. Equivalent Courses: EDUC814

COURSE DETAILS:

Meeting Dates:
 May 5 to July 10 (specific online times to be determined with Cohort)
Times:
*pending (to be determined with Cohort)  
Location:  CANVAS*   
*CANVAS will be our home base, we will utilize various forms of technology (e.g., BB Collaborate, Bluejeans or Zoom) for our cohort gatherings. This class will be a blended learning of self-directed and self-paced learning (with timelines/deadlines to help give you an organized structure) and class learning together through scheduled meeting times. Where possible, I will be uploading pre-recorded lectures to help assist you in your learning so we can focus our online time together with meaningful discussions and connections.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Knowledge:

a)    Develop your understanding of tenants, strengths, and limitations of various research paradigms.
b)    Gain an appreciation for and insight into the concepts of research skills and approaches across the educational and professional sectors. c)    Understand the principles of ethical research.
Self-reflection:
a)    To develop an awareness of your personal understandings and professional practice of research. 
b)    To share and contrast your understandings of research (as per course readings and discussions) with colleagues through in-class and online discussions, reflections, and other course related activities.
c)    To reflect on areas of strengths and weaknesses of research design.  
Application to practice: 

a)    To apply research design in your practice as an educational leader in a collaborative context with your peers within the cohort.
b)    To construct a useful set of research frameworks designed to assist you in confronting complex issues through research. 

c)    To develop research project that considers methodological approaches (strengths/limitations) and ethical considerations specific to the research project. 


Grading

  • Team Virtual Presentation 20%
  • Research Activities Portfolio 30%
  • Individual Research Proposal + Virtual Presentation 50%

NOTES:

*Grading Breakdown Subject to Change: Course assignments, due dates, and grading structure will be finalized our first weekend together.  
GRADING NOTES: Graduate General Regulations 1.5.1 Normal Grading System:
A+ = 4.33 points, A   = 4.00, A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, B  = 3.00, B-  = 2.67
(Normally, graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0)

REQUIREMENTS:

GRADING REQUIREMENTS:
Requirements for each assignment will be reviewed during the first weekend of class. Further details will be provided in the full syllabus and on CANVAS.  
All assignments must comply with APA 7th edition formatting, in-text citations, and references. (If you’ve been using 6th Edition that is also acceptable).

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Students will be using a variety of software during the course, the links to the software provided to SFU graduate students for no charge will be posted on CANVAS (e.g., Zotero, NVivo). All students should have a working version of Excel (or Numbers) on one of their devices (e.g., laptop, iPad, or desktop). Please be aware that if you are using a computer belonging to your employer, administrative rights and permissions from your IT department will be needed if you are downloading software to a work-device.

REQUIRED READING:

O’Leary, Z. (2014). The essential guide to doing your research project (3rd ed.). London: SAGE.
ISBN: 9781473952089

Salkind, N. J. (2015). Excel statistics. A quick guide. 3rd edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. NOTE: If you have an earlier of this text that is good too!
ISBN: 978-4822-7404-8

Schuh, J., et al., (2016). Assessment in Student affairs. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Online access via SFU library: https://sfu-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/usv8m3/01SFUL_ALMA51265417030003611

Additional readings and resources will be made available online through the course site on CANVAS (https://canvas.sfu.ca).

RECOMMENDED READING:

Abes, E. S., Jones, S. R. and Stewart, D-L, (Eds). (2019). Rethinking college student development theory: Using critical frameworks. Virginia: Stylus Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-6036-764-3 (or e-edition 978-1-62036-765-0)
ISBN: 978-1-6036-764-3

Banta, T. W.  & Palomba, C. (2014). Assessment essentials: Planning, implementing, and improving assessment in higher education. Available online via SFU library: https://sfu-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/usv8m3/01SFUL_ALMA51192793280003611

Boudah, D. (2011). Conducting educational research: Guide to completing a major project. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
ISBN: 9781412979023

Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (4th ed.). Columbus, OH: Pearson Education. Note: this book is available as an e-textbook (at reduced cost), ISBN-10 0-13-261509-6, or ISBN-13 978-0-13-261509-9, or Print ISBN-13 978-0-13-136739-5

Additional readings and resources will be made available online through the course site on CANVAS (https://canvas.sfu.ca).   

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 SUMMER 2020

Please note that all teaching at SFU in summer term 2020 will be conducted through remote methods. Enrollment in this course 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.

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) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.