The University of Calgary
Faculty of
Education
Graduate
Division of Educational Research
EDER 601 L91/92 – Interpreting Educational Research
|
Location: Computer
Conference |
Instructor: Dr.
Dianne Dodsworth |
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Dates: Fall semester 2000 September 11th -
December 8th |
Phone: (403) 239-3767 E-mail: ddodswor@home.com |
|
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Office Hours: on-line Mondays 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. or by appointment |
Course Description: Whether
we notice it or not, doing research is an integral part of our personal and
professional lives. The research
process is a process of discovery and learning central to living and working. Some research is more formal than other
research; many procedures and outcomes characterize it. Not all research
processes are created equal!
In our professional lives, understanding the process and
results of the research enterprise allows us to participate in the creation and
dissemination of new knowledge and practices.
Assessing and evaluating information before we choose to integrate into
our knowledge base or everyday practice is an essential skill in any
field. This course provides
opportunities to develop a critical view of research perspectives and methods,
in application to the field of education.
Topics include the scope and nature of the research enterprise, the
relationship between theory and research, the objectives of basic versus
applied research, research designs and data collection methods, and processes
for critiquing research findings.
Required Text: W. Lawrence
Neuman (2000). SOCIAL RESEARCH
METHODS: Qualitative and Quantitative
Approaches. 4th Edition. Toronto:
Allyn and Bacon.
Required Readings: a.
package available in University Bookstore, b. websites listed below
Weekly Topics and Reading
Assignments:
Week
|
Date
|
Topic and Readings
|
|
1 |
09/11/00 |
Introductions and course overview |
|
2 |
09/18/00 |
Knowledge and the research
enterprise Neuman ch. 1,2 |
|
3 |
09/25/00 |
Theory, research and changing paradigms Neuman ch. 3,4 |
|
4 |
10/02/00 |
The traditions: qualitative and quantitative research Research designs Neuman ch. 6 Smith and Heshusius (reading package) |
|
5 |
10/9/00 |
Introduction to Critiquing Research Neuman ch. 16 Hayes; Cleveland-Innes (reading package) |
|
6 |
10/16/00 |
The traditions:
qualitative and quantitative research Measurement Neuman ch. 7 Creswell (reading package) |
|
7 |
10/23/00 |
The traditions:
qualitative and quantitative research Sampling Neuman ch. 8 Cleveland-Innes (reading package) |
|
8 |
10/30/00 |
The traditions:
qualitative and quantitative research Analyzing quantitative data Neuman ch. 12 |
|
9 |
11/06/00 |
The traditions:
qualitative and quantitative research Analyzing qualitative data Neuman ch. 15 |
|
10 |
11/13/00 |
Presenting article critiques Reading as assigned by groups |
|
11 |
11/20/00 |
The leading edge:
Action, participatory, feminist and post-modern research Huyssen and Lyotard (reading package) Merriam and Simpson (reading package) http://www.telusplanet.net/public/tddewar/women.html http://physserv1.physics.wisc.edu/~shalizi/how-to-talk-postmodern.html |
|
12 |
11/27/00 |
Research on the margins |
|
13 |
12/04/00 |
The ethics and politics of social research Neuman ch. 5 |
Assignments and Evaluation:
1.
Participation:
Your on-line, textual and graphic contributions are essential to your
learning and the learning of others – join in! First, each student is expected
to respond to the readings and comments of others on a weekly basis. Second, self-reflection provides an
opportunity to monitor one’s own learning, synthesize learning with experience
and ‘muse’ about things. At three
points during the semester, students will provide ‘reflections’ regarding their
personal responses to the course. Due
dates are October 2, November 6, December 4. Normally reflections are approximately 250 words; more is happily
accepted if provided. Students may post
these in the “reflections” area in our First Class environment or, for greater
privacy, send to the instructor through First Class e-mail. Graded pass/fail for completion; total portion of final grade: 15%
2. Assignment #1: Each week we address a new topic regarding the research
enterprise. Find another student in the
group and choose a topic from one week in the course that interests both of
you. At the beginning of that week, you
will post your views on the issue, by summarizing important points from the
reading, sharing your own experiences, as well as thoughts from other authors
you have read, if appropriate. Finally you will pose one or two questions for
the group to address in the discussions regarding this topic. This exercise is graded pass/fail. Total portion of final grade: 20%.
3. Assignment #2: Learning to critique and evaluate the
research findings you read, based on the tenets of good research, is a central
outcome of this course. In groups of
three or four, students will choose an article to critique as a group. This article must be an account of an
original research project, i.e. data must have been collected and presented in
the report. Using the materials
provided in Week Five, you will evaluate the research process presented in this
article, and suggest improvements. You
must provide the instructor with a copy of the article by Week Seven so it can
be distributed to other class members.
Critiques will be presented to other class members in Week Ten. Group members will participate in the
grading of their group’s critique. This
self-evaluation will be averaged with the grade from the instructor. Critiques will be graded for review and
critique of theory description, research design, measurement and outcomes;
evaluation of research for appropriate design, sampling, measurement,
suggestions regarding alternative research methods. Total portion of final grade:
25%
4. Assignment #3: Major project – optional format. Students may choose the format for this assignment. Worth 40% of your course grade, this major
project should be designed in keeping with your professional interests and
learning needs, in relation to research.
In the final assignment, students will demonstrate understanding of the
central concepts in the research process.
Details will be discussed in class.
Suggested formats are:
∑
a term paper regarding research in a particular field of
study
∑
a research proposal to carry out a research project in your
field
∑
an annotated bibliography of research articles on a
particular issue in your field
It is recommended that you draft a project proposal and
discuss this project with the instructor.
Due date: December
8, 2000
Total portion of final grade: 40%