Overview

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:

Course Rationale
Research surrounds us on a daily basis, yet, we rarely take the time to question how the research is being presented, what informed the design, was it a 'good' study, and how relevant are the findings? More importantly, how can we effectively use research in our own practice?

The purpose of this course is to further develop our understanding of the fundamental elements, concepts, and tools of various research approaches (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods). We will reflect on how our understandings of the world connect to our own experiences and to larger societal issues present in  educational settings, and engage the intersections between research, theory, and practice as future researchers. In this course we will critically explore research design from having a 'big idea' to forming a research question, articulating the appropriate  research method, all the way to elements of the research design and the project itself. Therefore, the goals of this course will be three-fold: knowledge acquisition, self-reflection, and application to practice. We will explore questions such as:
How are we informed by research: how do we understand research; and more importantly, how can we use research, as research practitioners and leaders, to inform our practice? In this course will explore how we support and engage those with whom we work (e.g. colleagues, administration, students, parents, provincial organizations and Ministry of Education) within the broader educational, professional, and societal experiences by connecting, theory, research, and praxis.

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)   To 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.

Applicaiton 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 consdiderations specific to the research project.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

RECOMMENDED READING: