SYLLABUS
Instructor: John M. Ritz
254 Education
Office: 757-683-5226
Home: 757-456-0623
jritz@odu.edu for sending in assignments and instructor communications
1. Course Number: FOUN 612
2. Course Title: Applied Research Methods
3. Description: A course designed to acquaint learners with the principles, methods, and strategies useful in planning and conducting educational and training research.
Purpose: A course designed to prepare the professional educator, master teacher, and trainer to conduct on the job research to both improve learner comprehension of new knowledge and the delivery of instruction.
4. Course Competencies: As a result of this course and its activities, the learner should:
A. Develop skill in identifying research problems and planning for their solution.
B. Develop skill in selecting proper types of research for solving problems.
C. Develop technical skills in reporting research including procedures and formats.
D. Develop skill in designing methods of data collection.
E. Develop basic skill in various statistical techniques.
F. Use computer software to process data.
G. Complete a draft copy of the initial three chapters of a selected research study in occupational and technical education or training.
H. Gain approval of your study from the human subjects review committee.
5. Course Requirements:
Prerequisite: When you were admitted to graduate school, you were instructed to complete the CITI Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research Curriculum (RCR, 8 modules). If you fail to complete this certificate course during your first year of enrollment, you will not be able to register for classes. You should have this course completed before you take FOUN 612. See Graduate Catalog.
A. Participate in the discussion and analysis of procedures utilized in educational research. Just coming to class does not meet this requirement. You must actively participate through answering and asking questions (10%).
B. Complete the following class research assignments (20%).
1. Research criteria and problem statements.
2. Methods of research and research goals.
3. Preparation of introductions, background and significance, limitations, assumptions, definition of items, and summary.
4. Review of the literature.
5. Sampling techniques, validity, and reliability.
6. Test selection, questionnaire design, and attitude measurement.
7. Measures of central tendency and variability.
8. Methods of correlation.
9. t-Test and Chi-square.
10. Human Subjects Review.
C. Successfully complete three unit tests on applied research methods in education (30%).
D. Complete, through the cooperation of your graduate research advisor, a draft copy of the first three chapters of your proposed research study (30%).
E. Successfully complete the Human Subjects Research Training Social and Behavioral Research (SBR) curriculum (15 modules) at https://www.citiprogram.org/default.asp Register as an Old Dominion University student and these modules are free to you. You must send your completion certificate to the instructor as a final examination requirement (10%).
6. Attendance: Although class attendance is not a requirement for this course, 10 percent of your grade is based upon participation. Consequently, excessive absence will take away from your participation grade. Also, much of the content for the completion of assignments is provided through lecture and discussion. This information will not be readily obtained if the learner does not attend.
Weekly class assignments are due on assigned dates and will not be accepted late. All assignments will be delivered by e-mail. If the university is closed due to bad weather or other reasons, class will be held using Adobe Connect conferencing technologies. I will send you an email on your Old Dominion University account telling you the address to log onto for alternatively delivered classes.
7. Grading:
93 to 100 points A
85 to 92 points B
84 to 75 points C
74 and below F
8. Honors Pledge:
"I pledge to support the honor system of Old Dominion University. I will refrain from any form of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a member of the academic community, it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of the honor system. I will report to Honor Council hearings if summoned". By attending Old Dominion University you have accepted the responsibility to abide by this code. This is an institutional policy approved by the Board of Visitors.
9. Student Disabilities:
In accordance with university policy, a student who wishes to receive some instructional accommodation, because of a documented sensory and/or learning disability, should meet with the instructor to discuss this accommodation.
10. Office Hours: By appointment (on or off-campus).
11. Textbooks:
Pyrczak, F. & Bruce, R. (2014). 8th Edition. Writing empirical research reports. Los Angeles: Pyrczak Publishing.
Urdan, T. (2010). Statistics in plain English. 3rd edition. New York: Routledge.
Optional Source Texts (do not need to purchase - much is posted on this web-site):
Isaac, S. & Michael, W.B. (1995). Handbook in research and evaluation. San Diego: EdITS.
Lang, G. & Heiss, G. (1994). A practical guide to research methods. 5th edition. New York: University Press of America.
Tuckman, B.W. (1995). Conducting educational research. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, Inc.
DataMost. (1999). StatMost for Windows statistical analysis and graphics. Salt Lake City: DataMost Corporation or other statistical software.
12. References (do not need to purchase):
Ary, D., Jacobs, L.C., & Razavieh, A. (1972). Introduction to research in education. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
Best, J.W. (1959). Research in education. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall.
Borg, W.R. (1963). Educational research: An introduction. New York: David McKay.
Cook, D.R. & LaFleur, N.K. (1975). A guide to educational research. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Kerlinger, F.N. (1973). Foundations of behavioral research. New York: Holt Rinehart & Winston.
Van Dalen, D.B. & Meyer, W.J. (1966). Understanding educational research. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Turney, B. & Robb, G. (1973). Research in education: An introduction. New York: Holt, Rhinehart & Winston.
Revised on: 12/30/14
