Summer 2023 - EDUC 950 G031
Approaches to Educational Research (5)
Class Number: 3181
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
The broad paradigms encompassing much current educational research are examined, with emphasis on their philosophical and assumptional bases, as well as general ethical and methodological issues. Particular attention is paid to the critical reading of research and the implications for educational leadership. In addition, students begin to identify a research topic and to develop a defensible research orientation.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course is meant to assist students in developing a critical perspective on research paradigms in educational research. The course is also designed to address some of the fundamental challenges and decisions in designing educational research, such as: how to come up with interesting, viable and worthwhile research questions; how to use past research to inform your inquiry; how to select an appropriate research approach to answer your questions; and how to craft a research plan that will allow you to conduct your research in an ethically responsible, and methodologically rigorous way.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the criteria for assessing research quality and apply that knowledge to one’s own work and to others,’
- Identify the affordances of various research methodologies,
- Understand the appropriate application of different research methods,
- Conceptualize a research study by framing the research problem, defining research questions, and identifying the kinds (and sources) of information needed to answer the questions,
- Identify and address ethical concerns that arise in educational research.
Grading
NOTES:
Class Sessions will be on Fridays (4:30pm - 9:00pm) and Saturdays (8:30pm - 4:30pm)
over the following dates:
Location: Yukon University - Room A2103 except on June 17 in A2603
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Ravitch, S. M., & Carl, N. M. (2021). Qualitative research: Bridging the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological (2nd Edition). Sage Publications.
Wilson, S. (2008). Research is ceremony: Indigenous research methods. Fernwood Publishing
American Psychological Association (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC.
Additional required readings include book chapters and journal articles that are available electronically through the SFU library or on our CANVAS site. Examples include selections from:
Patel, L. (2015). Decolonizing educational research: From ownership to answerability. Routledge.
Pasque, P. A. & alexander, e. (Ed.). (2022). Advancing culturally responsive research and researchers: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. Taylor & Francis.
Walter, M., & Andersen, C. (2016). Indigenous statistics: A quantitative research methodology. Routledge.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
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 website 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
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.