Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - EDUC 864 G001

Research Designs in Education (5)

Class Number: 3134

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Tue, 4:30–9:20 p.m.
    Surrey

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:

This course deals with introductory topics of educational research design, implementation, and appraisal. It focuses on understanding various research designs involving quantitative, qualitative and mixed method approaches. The course is intended to make learners better consumers and designers of educational research. Students will engage in identifying research problems, developing research proposals, and evaluating published studies. The course also considers creative and ethical aspects of research design in education.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

At the end of this course learners will be able to

  • Differentiate and explain various types of research design in education
  • Identify and clearly articulate research problems and questions in education
  • Perform literature search and review
  • Write educational research proposal including data collection tools
  • Work with MS-Excel on elementary aspects of research data analysis
  • Evaluate educational research reports

Grading

  • Participation in class activities and learning community 20%
  • Peer review of research proposal 10%
  • Research proposal writing and presentation 40%
  • Review/critique of published article 15%
  • Quiz 15%

NOTES:

Note: In-person attendance is mandatory for this course

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Creswell, J. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research, 4th ed. Allyn & Bacon


Coladarci, T. & Cobb, C. (2014). Fundamentals of statistical reasoning in education, 4th edition. Wiley


RECOMMENDED READING:

American Psychological Association. (2009). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th Edition).


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

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


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.