Y520 is an introduction for beginning graduate students to the purpose
and means of the various practices of educational research. This
course will acquaint you with the language of social science research,
with different understandings of the purpose and use of research, with
various ways of framing research questions and designing studies, and
with generally accepted procedures for generating, analyzing and
interpreting data.

To pursue greater understanding of research methodologies you should
consider enrolling in one or more of the courses offered through the
Inquiry Methodology program area as well as specialty research courses
in your respective departments. I will be happy to provide an overview
of these courses and discuss the appropriate choice of a course with
you.

Requirements:
A. Two exams (50% of final grade).

Purpose: To provide feedback and evaluate student understanding of
concepts and terminology. Forced choice, online format.
A - 90% and above
B - 80%-89%
C - 70%-79%
D - 60-69%
F - below 60%

B. Article Review (10%):

Purpose: To recognize and evaluate the research process.  An article
will be provided in class.  Write a 2 page review.  More information
will be provided in class discussions. Due November 4.

C. Original Research Proposal (30%):

Purpose: To provide students with the opportunity to apply the
research process to a specific area.  This requirement will be divided
into two phases:
Annotated Biblography with 2 article reviews (10%) will be due by
November 18.
A literature review (20%) will be due by December 2.
C. Participation (10%):

Purpose: To facilitate understanding through interactions with peers
and instructor. As a web-based course, discussions will occur through
the following means:
- Weekly online chat room (Wed. 8:00-10:00):
-Weekly online assignments:
On most weeks, a quiz, article review, or discussion question will be
posted for students to complete before class meetings (either in the
chat room or for on-line discussions). Evaluation criteria:
A - consistent, meaningful contributions to class - asks questions
and/or makes comments that clarify, explain or add insight to course
content.
B - consistent attendance, participation.
C - consistent attendance, little or no contribution to class
discussion.
D/F - shows little effort, poor attendance.

Grading:
93% mastery or above = A
90% to 92% = A-
87% to 89% = B+
83% to 86% = B
80% to 82% = B-
77% to 79% = C+
73% to 76% = C
70% to 72% = C-
below 70% = D
and below 60% = F

Incompletes will be given only for a legitimate reason as outlined in
the university's Academic Guide, and only after a conference between
the instructor and the student. Throughout the course, you may contest
grades awarded within 48 hours. Once this "statute of limitation" has
passed, it is assumed that you willingly accept the grade(s) assigned
without further dispute.

This schedule is a guide for the semester.  Any changes will be
discussed in class throughout the semester.

Week of Class/Readings/Topic

September 2 Chapter 1-5, 24
Introduction, Nature of Ed. Research,
Research Problems, Ethics, Variables and
Hypotheses, Literature Review, Proposals

September 9 Chapter 6-8
Sampling, Instrumentation, Reliability and Validity

September 16 Chapter 7-8 Con't

September 23 Chapter 10-12
Descriptive Statistics and Inferential
Statistics, Statistics in Perspective

September 30 Chapter 10-12 Con't

October 7 Exam 1
	
October 14 Chapter 9, 13-14
Internal Validity, Experimental Research

October 21 Chapter 13-14
Experimental Research

October 28 Chapter 15
Correlational Research

November 4 Chapter 16-17
Causal-Comparative Research, Survey

November 11 Chapter 18-19
Qualitative Research

November 18 Chapter 18-19 Con't

November 25 Chapter 20-22
Content Analysis, Ethnographic Research,
Historical Research

December 2 Chapter 23 Action Research

December 9 Exam 2