Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - EDUC 867 G001

Advanced Qualitative Research in Education (5)

Class Number: 3973

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Jun 20, 2025: Mon, 4:30–9:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

    May 12 – Jun 20, 2025: Wed, 4:30–9:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Prerequisites:

    EDUC 866.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Students will study in depth various qualitative methodological approaches to educational research, will develop competence to contribute significantly to knowledge in their particular field of study, and will engage in intensive practice of various methodological approaches to qualitative research introduced in EDUC 866.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is designed for graduate students who have a general knowledge of research methodologies and a research topic. Guided by a collaborative mentorship approach, the goal is to advance your project by deepening your methodological repertoires, aligning methods and theories, and experimenting with different approaches to data generation and analysis. Assignments are adapted to where you are in your research journey, culminating in the development of a research proposal, preparation for a comp exam, or your methodology chapter for your thesis. Course activities include short writing and experiential activities, some graded and some ungraded, group presentations, and self and instructor-led assessment. The course is on SFU’s Vancouver campus on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Progress toward your graduate research project;

  • Explore diverse research methods in education while becoming intimately familiar with those fit to your study;
  • Experiment with different approaches to data collection and analyses;
  • Map your study with respect to integrity and alignment of research goals and questions; ethical relationality; guiding literature, theories and methods; modes of research sharing.
  • Gain experience in leading postgraduate seminars, in line with the work of teaching in post-secondary settings.

Grading

  • Critical article/resource review 20%
  • Data generation and analysis memos (3x15%) 45%
  • Research proposal/comps/thesis chapter 35%

NOTES:

This is an intercession course that meets twice a week for six weeks. We will meet in person on Day 1, and online on Day 2 (engaging in synchronous, asynchronous, group work, 1-1 consultations).

Outside class activity:  This course will involve visits and walks outside the Vancouver Campus classroom and campus, including city streets and local parks. Please contact the instructor if you have any concerns.

Using Generative AI. I am grappling with the most appropriate uses of GenAI in in my teaching and research, and I am sure you are too. These include MS CoPilot, ChatGPT or Deepseek, Grammarly and so on. In our first class we will develop shared guidelines for if, when and how we will use these technologies, following which I will publish guidelines. Please do not use Gen AI in the course until you have read and understood these guidelines.

Materials

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 term 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.