COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to teach graduate students elementary quantitative research methods in education. Students will learn to use SPSS for elementary quantitative analysis and to interpret the results accurately. This course will develop students' ability to evaluate elementary quantitative research designs and data analyses. In addition, the course also focuses on training students' understanding of the needs for sustainable professional development.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

In completing this course, the candidate will be able to:

· explain terms related to elementary quantitative research methods.            

· define variables in SPSS.            

· prepare data for elementary analysis in SPSS.            

· perform elementary analysis in SPSS.            

· design, conduct, and evaluate elementary quantitative research studies.            

· Use computer technology as a tool for educational research, academic exchange and research presentation.            

· improve their research literacy and grow in their own research fields.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

1. Huang, J. (2021). Introduction to quantitative research methods. Niagara Falls: Untested Ideas Research Center.

2. Class notes, handouts, and supplementary reading materials

3. American Psychological Association. (2010): Publication manual of the American Psychological

Association (6^th Ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

METHOD OF TEACHING

This course is framed within a constructivist perspective that embraces the belief that knowledge is socially constructed. Learning is viewed as a developmental process that is enhanced when students learn to view problems and issues from multiple perspectives, constructing knowledge from their own interpretations numerous pieces of evidence. Teaching approaches are directed toward open-ended inquiry, critical thinking and reflection and social interaction.  Instructional methods will include whole class and small group discussion, individual and cooperative activities, presentations by instructors and classmates, Internet and library searches, and research.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

The integrity of an academic community necessitates the full and correct citation of ideas, methodologies, and research findings. In addition, each student can promote academic honesty by protecting his or her work from inappropriate use. Academic honesty is essential to ensure the validity of the grading system and to maintain a high standard of academic excellence.  The principal violations of academic honesty are cheating and plagiarism.

Cheating includes the unauthorized use of certain materials, information, or devices in writing examinations, or in preparing papers or other assignments. Any student who aids another student in such dishonesty is also guilty of cheating.  Other possible forms of cheating include submitting the same work in more than one class without permission

Plagiarism is the presentation of ideas, words, and opinions of someone else as one’s own work.  Paraphrased material, even if rendered in the student’s own words, must be attributed to the originator of the thought.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Your final course grade will be determined by your successful completion of ALL the following assignments:

1. Attendance and participation (20%)

2. Two SPSS problem sets (40%)

3. A final examination (40%)

ASSIGNMENT OUTLINES

1. Attendance and participation (20%)

Attendance and participation are considered important indicators of professional commitment and responsibility. You are expected to promptly attend all classes and actively participate in classroom discussions. Absences are permitted only for illness or serious personal matters. A phone call, email message, or note delivered to the professor is required if you expect to miss a class. Absences will jeopardize a student’s course grade. Five percent will be subtracted from the student’s final grade for each absence. Only one absence is allowed for this course. Two or more absences will result in an automatic failure of this course.

2. Two SPSS problem sets (40%)

In this course, you must complete two SPSS problem sets. The purpose of these problem sets is to provide you with the opportunity to use computer software (such as Excel and SPSS) for statistical analysis. The course professor will provide you with existing data to complete these problem sets. You should be able to input data correctly, clean up the data, and conduct descriptive statistical analysis, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and correlation analysis.

3. A final examination (40%)

You must complete the final exam. Questions on the final exam will be drawn from assigned readings as well as from class discussions from the beginning of the course.

GRADING

Because all students vary in their learning styles, and in order to model multiple assessment and evaluation strategies, a variety of assignments are used to evaluate your performance in the course.  Assignments must be typed on a word processor. Late policy: Assignments are expected to be turned in on time and should represent your best quality work. Style: You are expected to use the APA Style for research writing in your course assignments.  

COURSE EVALUATION

Each assignment in the course will be graded using the rubrics provided in class. Your work will be graded fairly, only in comparison to the criteria found on the rubrics. Course performance will be evaluated on the basis of combining individual grades from the assignments described above and absences. Your final grade for this course will be based on the following grading scale:

97-100  A+ 87-89  B+ 77-79  C+ Below 70- Fail

94-96    A 84-86  B 74-76  C

90-93    A- 80-83  B- 70-73  C-

COURSE CALENDAR (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to teach graduate students intermediate and advanced quantitative research methods in education. Students will learn to use SPSS for intermediate and advanced quantitative analysis and to interpret the results accurately. This course will develop students' ability to evaluate intermediate and advanced quantitative research designs and data analyses. In addition, the course also focuses on training students' understanding of the needs for sustainable professional development.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

In completing this course, the candidate will be able to:

· explain terms related to intermediate and advanced quantitative research methods.            

· prepare data for intermediate and advanced analysis in SPSS.            

· perform intermediate and advanced analysis in SPSS.            

· design, conduct, and evaluate intermediate and advanced quantitative research studies.    

· Use the Internet and libraries for literature search.                    

· Use computer technology as a tool for educational research, academic exchange and research presentation.            

· improve their research literacy and grow in their own research fields.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

1. Huang, J. (2021). Intermediate quantitative research methods. Niagara Falls: Untested Ideas Research Center.

2. Class notes, handouts, and supplementary reading materials

3. American Psychological Association. (2010): Publication manual of the American Psychological

Association (6^th Ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

METHOD OF TEACHING

This course is framed within a constructivist perspective that embraces the belief that knowledge is socially constructed. Learning is viewed as a developmental process that is enhanced when students learn to view problems and issues from multiple perspectives, constructing knowledge from their own interpretations numerous pieces of evidence. Teaching approaches are directed toward open-ended inquiry, critical thinking and reflection and social interaction.  Instructional methods will include whole class and small group discussion, individual and cooperative activities, presentations by instructors and classmates, Internet and library searches, and research.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

The integrity of an academic community necessitates the full and correct citation of ideas, methodologies, and research findings. In addition, each student can promote academic honesty by protecting his or her work from inappropriate use. Academic honesty is essential to ensure the validity of the grading system and to maintain a high standard of academic excellence.  The principal violations of academic honesty are cheating and plagiarism.

Cheating includes the unauthorized use of certain materials, information, or devices in writing examinations, or in preparing papers or other assignments. Any student who aids another student in such dishonesty is also guilty of cheating.  Other possible forms of cheating include submitting the same work in more than one class without permission

Plagiarism is the presentation of ideas, words, and opinions of someone else as one’s own work.  Paraphrased material, even if rendered in the student’s own words, must be attributed to the originator of the thought.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Your final course grade will be determined by your successful completion of ALL the following assignments:

1. Attendance and participation (20%)

2. One SPSS problem set (40%)

3. A final examination (40%)

ASSIGNMENT OUTLINES

1. Attendance and participation (20%)

Attendance and participation are considered important indicators of professional commitment and responsibility. You are expected to promptly attend all classes and actively participate in classroom discussions. Absences are permitted only for illness or serious personal matters. A phone call, email message, or note delivered to the professor is required if you expect to miss a class. Absences will jeopardize a student’s course grade. Five percent will be subtracted from the student’s final grade for each absence. Only one absence is allowed for this course. Two or more absences will result in an automatic failure of this course.

2. One SPSS problem set (40%)

In this course, you must complete one SPSS problem set independently. The purpose of this problem set is to provide you with the opportunity to use the computer software SPSS for quantitative analysis. The course professor will provide the existing data for you to complete this problem set. You should be able to input data correctly, clean up the data, and conduct various t-tests, ANOVAs, correlation, and regression analyses.

3. A final examination (40%)

You must complete the final exam. Questions on the final exam will be drawn from assigned readings as well as from class discussions from the beginning of the course.

GRADING

Because all students vary in their learning styles, and in order to model multiple assessment and evaluation strategies, a variety of assignments are used to evaluate your performance in the course.  Assignments must be typed on a word processor. Late policy: Assignments are expected to be turned in on time and should represent your best quality work. Style: You are expected to use the APA Style for research writing in your course assignments.  

COURSE EVALUATION

Each assignment in the course will be graded using the rubrics provided in class. Your work will be graded fairly, only in comparison to the criteria found on the rubrics. Course performance will be evaluated on the basis of combining individual grades from the assignments described above and absences. Your final grade for this course will be based on the following grading scale:

97-100  A+ 87-89  B+ 77-79  C+ Below 70- Fail

94-96    A 84-86  B 74-76  C

90-93    A- 80-83  B- 70-73  C-

COURSE CALENDAR (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to introduce graduate students to qualitative research methods in education. Students will learn the following qualitative research methods: interviews, focus group interviews, action research, grounded theory design, narrative research, and ethnographic research designs. They will also learn to analyze, interpret qualitative data and report qualitative research results. This course will also develop students' ability to evaluate qualitative research designs and data analysis. In addition, the course also focuses on training students' understanding of the needs for sustainable professional development.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

In completing this course, the candidate will be able to understand:

· basic concepts in qualitative research.            

· interview research designs.

· focus group study designs.            

· action research designs.            

· grounded theory designs.            

· narrative research designs.            

· ethnographic research designs.            

· qualitative data analysis, interpretation and results reporting.            

· the design, implementation and evaluation of qualitative studies.            

· the use of Internet and libraries for literature search.            

· computer technology as a tool for research, academic exchange and research presentation.  

· how to improve research literacy and grow in your own research field.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

1. Huang, J. (2021). Qualitative research methods. Niagara Falls: Untested Ideas Research Center.

2. Class notes, handouts, and supplementary reading materials

3. American Psychological Association. (2010): Publication manual of the American Psychological

Association (6^th Ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

METHOD OF TEACHING

This course is framed within a constructivist perspective that embraces the belief that knowledge is socially constructed. Learning is viewed as a developmental process that is enhanced when students learn to view problems and issues from multiple perspectives, constructing knowledge from their own interpretations numerous pieces of evidence. Teaching approaches are directed toward open-ended inquiry, critical thinking and reflection and social interaction.  Instructional methods will include whole class and small group discussion, individual and cooperative activities, presentations by instructors and classmates, Internet and library searches, and research.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

The integrity of an academic community necessitates the full and correct citation of ideas, methodologies, and research findings. In addition, each student can promote academic honesty by protecting his or her work from inappropriate use. Academic honesty is essential to ensure the validity of the grading system and to maintain a high standard of academic excellence.  The principal violations of academic honesty are cheating and plagiarism.

Cheating includes the unauthorized use of certain materials, information, or devices in writing examinations, or in preparing papers or other assignments. Any student who aids another student in such dishonesty is also guilty of cheating.  Other possible forms of cheating include submitting the same work in more than one class without permission

Plagiarism is the presentation of ideas, words, and opinions of someone else as one’s own work.  Paraphrased material, even if rendered in the student’s own words, must be attributed to the originator of the thought.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Your final course grade will be determined by your successful completion of ALL the following assignments:

1. Attendance and participation (20%)

2. One qualitative data analysis project (40%)

3. A final examination (40%)

ASSIGNMENT OUTLINES

1. Attendance and participation (20%)

Attendance and participation are considered important indicators of professional commitment and responsibility. You are expected to promptly attend all classes and actively participate in classroom discussions. Absences are permitted only for illness or serious personal matters. A phone call, email message, or note delivered to the professor is required if you expect to miss a class. Absences will jeopardize a student’s course grade. Five percent will be subtracted from the student’s final grade for each absence. Only one absence is allowed for this course. Two or more absences will result in an automatic failure of this course.

2. One qualitative data analysis project (40%)

In this course, you must complete one qualitative data analysis project independently. The purpose of this assignment is to provide you with the opportunity to conduct qualitative data analysis. You should be able to use the qualitative data analysis methods taught by the professor to prepare, code, and analyze the given data; finally, report the analysis results.

3. A final examination (40%)

You must complete the final exam. Questions on the final exam will be drawn from assigned readings as well as from class discussions from the beginning of the course.

GRADING

Because all students vary in their learning styles, and in order to model multiple assessment and evaluation strategies, a variety of assignments are used to evaluate your performance in the course.  Assignments must be typed on a word processor. Late policy: Assignments are expected to be turned in on time and should represent your best quality work. Style: You are expected to use the APA Style for research writing in your course assignments.  

COURSE EVALUATION

Each assignment in the course will be graded using the rubrics provided in class. Your work will be graded fairly, only in comparison to the criteria found on the rubrics. Course performance will be evaluated on the basis of combining individual grades from the assignments described above and absences. Your final grade for this course will be based on the following grading scale:

97-100  A+ 87-89  B+ 77-79  C+ Below 70- Fail

94-96    A 84-86  B 74-76  C

90-93    A- 80-83  B- 70-73  C-

COURSE CALENDAR (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)