When reduced to its most essential elements, research is a process of identifying something unknown and then collecting data to make it known. A research study needs to be designed so that it will answer the questions or test the hypothesis that you have identified. The fundamental purpose of educational research is to increase our understanding of educational processes, practices, and issues.
Fortunately researchers have a variety of software packages available to them that can assist them in gathering, storing, analyzing, and presenting their data. Students in this course will explore several of these computer software packages that will support their efforts in creating artifacts for their doctoral portfolio and for developing and writing their doctoral dissertation. Presenting your dissertation in the specified format of the college is a requirement. This course will prepare you with the knowledge and skills necessary to incorporate various software packages, utilizing APA-style formatting of word documents, graphs and charts, and the specific requirements of Dowling College, to fulfill that requirement.
1) Objective: Students will demonstrate understanding research in education.
Outcome: Students will develop a Panel Discussion that shows their understanding of basic research. Students (in teams) will prepare a 30 minutes class discussion using blackboard, PowerPoint, questionnaires, or any pedagogical discussion. This product will be worth 15 % of the student grade
2) Objective: Students will demonstrate an understanding of APA-style and Dowling College requirements for the formatting of word documents, charts and graphs, within the doctoral dissertation.
Outcome: Students will write a research proposal for a conference. They will include a link or copy of the call for presentations and conference proceedings guidelines. This paper requires students to develop a research prospectus of 4 pages (not counting references pages) double space after reading a meta-analysis or summary of current research findings on a specific topic.
This product will be created in Microsoft Word or Any word processor, and will include a problem statement, as well as a literature review, research methods and the educational importance of the study. This product will be worth 25% of the student's grade.
3) Objective: Students will demonstrate an understanding of software applications, including Microsoft Word or similar, Excel, PowerPoint or Presentation software, SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).
Outcome: Students will create a presentation that supports their presentation of their proposal. The presentation will include imported facts, charts, and graphs from the various software packages reviewed. This product will be worth 20 % of the student's grade.
4) Objective: Students will demonstrate an ability to create a portfolio in a web format (webfolio).
Outcome: Students will develop a webfolio in a web format using any software. They will include all the relevant work done in this course. This product will be worth 15 % of the student grade.
Grade Distribution:
Webfolio 15%
Panel Presentation (from a chapter of the book) 15 %
Peer Review 5 %
PowerPoint Presentation (of the Proposal) 20 %
Class Activities 20%
Proposal 25 %
Tentative Course Outline
Friday Lab IntroductionUsing the Internet Writing, Submitting and Publishing
Video: Using the internet for research APA style
PowerPoint
Templates, Slide layouts, backgrounds, Working with text, Graphics
Preparing a presentationDowling Document: Style & Publication Manual
Conference Proposal discussion
Literature Review
Review pertinent literature for a proposal
Microsoft WordBegin writing literature review - Select topic
Chapter 1: Panel Discussion (30 minutes)Chapter 1. Introduction to Educational Research
Saturday Chapter 2. Selecting and Defining a Research TopicPanel Presentation (30 min) Microsoft WordPractice
12-1 Lunch 1-2 Digital Library Workshop Chapter 3. Preparing and Evaluating a Research PlanPanel Presentation (30 min)
Review drafts and continue preparation of their proposal.
Final changes to assignments and projects should be completed.
Continue writing/research for your proposalFinalize your proposal DRAFT in a Power Point presentation
Finalize your webfolio
SATURDAY
Present your projects through Webfolio presentation. Each student will have 10 minutes to present his/her webfolio and show his/her proposal in PowerPoint presentation. A 5-minute discussion will follows after each presentationProposals in Microsoft Word due three weeks after the last class.