Syllabus

Lehman College, City University of New York

Department of Counseling, Leadership, Literacy, and Special Education

EDL 930: Research I: Introduction to Research Methods (3 hrs., 3 crs.)

The School of Education prepares competent, ethical, and reflective professionals for service in diverse communities.

Instructor: Elin Waring

E-mail: elin.waring@lehman.cuny.edu

Office Phone: 718 960 7820

Office Location: Speech 128

Mailbox Location: Carman B60

Office Hours: By appointment or from 4 to 6 on Tuesdays (Navigate Scheduled)

Course Description:

Introduction of relevant research approaches in education, non-profit management, health and other human service practices that decision makers employ and use to drive organizational change. Includes overviews of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research models and provides frameworks to support the identification of researchable problems. Students will compare and contrast the three research approaches to determine similarities, distinctions, practical utility, and problems in the collecting, managing, analyzing and reporting of qualitative and quantitative data.

In the group there is a wide mix of experience with research and data analysis in addition to academic and professional experiences. Therefore, to some extent, there will be readings at different levels. I assume that you are independent enough to determine if you should focus more on the more basic material about a topic or more on the more advanced. I do ask you to make the commitment to learn new things wherever you start. You also will have to learn to be skilled readers to know when to read slowly and when to scan and focus on key points.

Readings

The major readings for this course will be articles, chapters and OERs that will be shared as we determine. However, you will probably benefit from having a research methods textbook as a reference. Any text designed for sociology, social work, education, human services, organizational studies or related fields will usually have chapters on each of the major research methods. They all differ, of course, but there is also about 80% overlap. Many are updated every few years, but an older edition is usually fine. Over time in your career (or at least in this program) you will probably want to build up a collection of methods reference works relevant for your work. A larger list is available here: https://pressbooks.cuny.edu/lehmaneddresearch/back-matter/appendix/

Open Educational Resources

Excerpts of these will be supplemented with articles on specific topics.

Open Access General Research Methods Texts

Reference Texts

  • Johnson, A.P. (2003). A short guide to academic writing. Lanham, MD: University Press of America. ISBN 978-0761825037
  • Rocco, T.S. & Hatcher, T. (Eds.) (2011). The handbook of scholarly writing and publishing. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. ISBN 978-047039335
  • American Psychological Association (2010). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. ISBN 1-433805618

Lehman Urban Transformative Education (LUTE) Conceptual Framework:

The LUTE represents the School of Education’s vision for educators and leaders who are or will be responsible for stimulating and supporting the development of knowledge, skills, practices, and dispositions that enrich individuals and, in turn, communities where they live and work. Our vision is rooted in and extends from the missions of both The City University of New York and Lehman College. We seek to facilitate individuals’ access to postsecondary education and occupational opportunities. We also seek to increase personal and social competencies for every PreK-18 student. In all of our work, we strive to close achievement, opportunity, and attainment gaps. The LUTE focuses on four themes: 1) Empower Our Community of Educators and Learners; 2) Educate and Advocate for Social Action and Equity; 3) Realize Potential; and 4) Affirm Our Diverse Ethnic and Cultural Contexts. The entire LUTE conceptual framework is available at http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/academics/education/introduction.php

Objectives:

  • Compare and contrast quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research in education and other human service organizations that are used to inform an organization leader’s decision-making capability
  • Interpret and visually represent descriptive and inferential statistics commonly used in research employed by education, organizational, policy and other human service leaders
  • Apply basic concepts related to probability and uncertainty to quantify risk associated with proposed projects and the impact it can have on a leader’s ability to deliver an organization’s mission
  • Describe how data validity and reliability in the intellectual-cultural activity of research can be productive for the larger endeavor of academic research.
  • Interpret the results of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods analyses to answer a research question.
  • Explore issues around research ethics and consider the importance of ethics in conducting and interpreting research results.
  • Draw upon scholarly works to conduct a preliminary literature review around a research methods topic.

Course Requirements:

  • All assignments should be turned in on time so that we have enough time to read, reflect and revise as needed. If there are special circumstances that will make something late discuss with me in advance.
  • There will be four writing assignments, which, when you are ready, will be shared with the group. Details of the assignments are in https://pressbooks.cuny.edu/lehmaneddresearch/part/writing-projects/
  • APA format (from most recent handbook) must be used for all references and citations.
  • You must have access to your Lehman e-mail account and must be able to access the specific platforms outlined, including Blackboard and CUNY Academic Commons and CUNY pressbooks. All class announcements will be sent to your Lehman e-mail address and the addresses you register in the various systems. It is probably a good idea to use a consistent address to the extent possible. A variety of tools will be used.
  • Most conversations in the group will take place via the email list that has been set up for the course. A cuny.edu address must be used for the list. All students are expected to be active and thoughtful members of the list and to make substantive contributions at twice a week. I will be posting and questions at least weekly with topics to respond to. Students can also initiate threads, and I encourage this. For example, if there is material you are finding challenging or that you disagree with, if you come across interesting and relevant articles (peer reviewed or not) or opportunities those would be good to post about.

Instructional Methods Used in This Course:

Use of a variety of research methods

Library research

Reflection through threaded discussion, critical readings and writing .

Use of research software (LimeSurvey, Taguette, R+RStudio, Jupyter notebooks).

General Schedule

This is the general outline of topics, but we will retain some flexibility in the actual amount of time on each topic as we get to know each other. There will be a fair amount of interweaving of these topics, so don’t consider them isolated from each other. They are, in fact, intimately connected.

Introduction: Methods and methodology, important terms, positionality

Data and measurement

Sampling

Inferential statistics (classical and modern)

Considerations around causal arguments

Survey design

Meta analysis.

Projects and grading

The projects are described in detail in the course book. There are four formal, multiweek projects in addition to weekly reading, writing or analyzing assignments and your participation in the course will also be considered.

  • Zip code project
  • Secondary data analysis project
  • Measurement project
  • Research methods literature review

Professionalism, Group Participation, Mini projects

  • You will be developing and/or strengthening particular habits to positively influence your professional skills.
  • You are expected to participate in discussions at least several times a week. Participation means both contributing your own ideas and responding substantively to others.
  • You are expected to complete readings in order to be a knowledgeable contributor to our discussions and to make progress in your own work as a scholar.
  • Everyone has an opinion/idea to share; therefore, active participation and involvement are important. Each class member brings unique experiences and beliefs into the classroom and such variety ultimately leads to diverse and interesting discussions. In particular, in this course, some people start with much more formal training and experience with research. We all need to be understanding and patient both with people who have more preexisting knowledge than us and people who have less.
  • Lastly, you are expected to extend courtesy to your peers and to me. I expect you to post professionally and exhibit professionalism in all interactions with myself and your learning colleagues.

Grading criteria: This will be discussed more in our group conversations.

Weekly Schedule: To some extent we will have to engage in a co-creation process, particularly because you are the first group to take this course and I am the first faculty member to teach it. Nonetheless, we will start with the framework outlined here:

https://pressbooks.cuny.edu/lehmaneddresearch/

Course Assessment: breakdown of how each assignment is weighted – equaling 100%

Zip Code Project

15%

Secondary data analysis project

25%

Measurement project

20%

Methods literature review

25%

Postings, Professionalism, Group Participation, Mini activities

15%

Grading Scale:

Letter Grade

Grade Percentages

A

95-100%

A-

90-94.9%

B+

87-89.9%

B

84-86.9%

B-

80-83.9%

C+

77-79.9%

C

74-76.9%

F

73.9% and below

**A grade of SP (Satisfactory Progress) also can be issued for certain fieldwork, thesis or research courses requiring more than one semester for completion. If assigned a grade of SP, the student will be given a due date for completing all work and/or hours.

Blackboard Help

For technical information regarding Blackboard click on the following link: http://www2.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/cis/core-functions/cuny-blackboard/

Student User Guides can be accessed at the below link: http://www2.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/cis/core-functions/cuny-blackboard/user-guides/student/

Instructional Technology Helpdesk:

Computer Center Helpdesk: 718-960-1111(telephone); help.desk@lehman.cuny.edu (email)

Answers to frequently asked questions: http://lehman.edu/itr/helpdesk-faqs.php

Student Handbook:

Please see the following link for important CUNY and/or Lehman policies/procedures: http://www.lehman.edu/student-affairs/student-handbook.php

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy:

Academic Dishonesty, which includes plagiarism, is prohibited in The City University of New York and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion, as provided herein. A full statement and information may be found in Lehman College’s student handbook at the following link:

http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/student-affairs/documents/student-handbook-02.pdf.

Instructional Support Services Program

Lehman College’s Instructional Support Services Program (ISSP) is home of the Lehman College Tutoring Center (LTC) and Science Learning Center (SLC). The ISSP provides Lehman students with the opportunity to achieve academic success through the guidance and encouragement of peer tutors and professional staff members. We invite students to utilize the services offered through the ISSP, which include workshops and tutoring for undergraduate and graduate students seeking to improve their skills in writing and content knowledge in specific courses. To obtain more information about the ISSP, please visit their website at http://www.lehman.edu/issp, call 718.960.8175 or visit the office located in the Old Gym Building, Room 205.

Accommodating Disabilities:

Lehman College is committed to providing access to all programs and curricula to all students. Students with disabilities who may need classroom accommodations are encouraged to register with the Office of Student Disability Services. For more information, please contact the Office of Student Disability Services, Shuster Hall, Room 238, phone number, 718.960.8441.

Lehman College Food Bank and Emergency Grants:

Any student who has difficult according groceries or has an emergency regarding housing should utilize the service provided by Student Affairs at the Basic Needs Center. Apply using this link: https://www.lehman.edu/student-affairs/basic-needs-center/

License

Research Methods for Lehman EdD Copyright © by elinwaring. All Rights Reserved.

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