COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HUMANITIES, AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

Alabama A&M University

Normal, AL 35762

COURSE SYLLABUS

SPRING 2015

Course Number	FED 603
Course Title	Advanced Educational Research - 3 credit hours
Call Number/Section	10748, Section 0
Class Times	4:00-6:50 Monday and Wednesday for summer session
Class Location	Room 8, Parker Building
Prerequisites	Master’s Degree or Permission of Instructor
Textbook	Fraenkel, J.R. & Wallen, N.E. (2009). How to design and evaluate research in education (7^th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 13: 978-0-07-352596-9
Instructor	Sha Li, Ed.D.
Course Website	http://edutechnologycourse.com/
Office	211 CNN
Office Hours	11:00 am -1:00 pm Monday-Friday or by appointment
E-mail address	sha.li@aamu.edu
Telephone number	256-372-5973

AAMU Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP): 

“Enhancing Students’ Critical Thinking Skills”

Critical Thinking Definition: 

Critical thinking is analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing information into logical conclusions. 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The course examines selected educational theories and philosophies of education, their relationships and implication for teaching and educational leadership. It is designed to provide advanced graduate students an opportunity to critically reflect on their own teaching and leadership, clarify their understanding of the teaching and educational profession, and examine solutions to educational problems through critical and reflective thought. Additionally, this course is intended to provide graduate students with the knowledge base necessary for serious inquiry into educational problems.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Be able demonstrate an understanding of systematic research; Be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to conduct, and write a review of the literature; Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the process of collecting a research sample, and population sample.

CLASS FORMAT

Each student will receive a course syllabus on the first day of class. The professor will review the syllabus, discuss all assignments, and respond to students’ inquiries. Students are expected to participate in structured discussions, complete required readings, and submit all assignments in accordance with instructions provided and when due.

COURSE OUTCOMES

Students are to be prepared for each class, attend class regularly and participate in class activities, demonstrate an understanding of topics, concepts and assigned materials, respond to students’ and instructor’s questions, assure the quality and accuracy of assignments; provide individual responses to examination; inform the professor if he/she is having difficulty meeting expected performance requirements, and be informed about his/her progress in the course.

SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The University provides environmental and programmatic access for persons with documented disabilities as defined in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Any student who desires information or assistance in arranging needed services for a disabling condition should contact the Director of Special Students Services, Student Center, Room 106 Carver Complex South, (256) 372-4263.

STUDY FOLDER

Student will be provided feedback upon the review and evaluation of assignments, typically at the next class session.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

A student is permitted one (1) unexcused absence for each credit hour generated by the class. For example, two (2) absences are allowed in a two-hour class.

TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE

Technology Assistance can be obtained from ITS Office at 256-372-8350

GRADE DETERMINATION

Course Requirements	Points Awarded	Percent of Total
Participate in Library Literacy Instruction or write an essay	100	09%
Conduct and submit an Electronic Search Document Review Mid-term exam Conduct and submit a thesis analysis Prepare and submit a thesis proposal Class attendance and participation Final exam	200 200 200 300 100 100	18% 18% 18% 27% 09% 09%
TOTAL	1100	100%
Grading Scale
Percent of Points	Number of Points	Grade
90 to 100 % 80 to 89% 70 to 79% 60 to 69% Below 60%	990 to 1100 880 to 989 770 to 879 660 to 769 <660	A B C D F

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENTS

Provide description of special assignments, i.e., essays, term papers, service activities, etc.

Conduct and submit an electronic search review; take a mid-term exam; conduct a thesis analysis; take a final exam

COURSE OUTLINE

Dates	Topics	Assignments
1	Introduction to Course	Read Chapters 1 & 2 -textbook; Selected and assigned readings
2	Educational Research, General
3	Information Literacy or Write an essay	Instruction provided by Learning Resources staff
4	Nature of Research and Scientific Approach	Read Chapters 1 & 2; Selected and assigned readings
5	Research Problem; Variables & Hypotheses; Research Questions	Complete reading Chapters 1 &2 and begin reading Chapter 3; Selected and assigned readings
6	Research Topic; Types of Research; Literature Review	Read Chapters 2 and 3; Selected and assigned readings
7	The Research Proposal; Research Report	Read Chapters 5 and 6; Selected and assigned readings
8	Survey Research; Population/Sample; Correlational Research	Read Chapters 7 and 8; Selected and assigned readings
9	Mid-Term Exam	Mid-Term Exam
10
11	Instrumentation; Causal Comparative and Experimental Research	Read Chapters 9 and 10; Selected and assigned readings
12	Validity and Reliability; Internal Validity; Descriptive Statistics	Read Chapters 12 and 13; Selected and assigned readings
13	Thesis Analysis and Presentation	Thesis Analysis and Presentation
14	Descriptive Statistics	Continue Reading Chapters 12 and 13; Selected and assigned readings
15	SPSS; Qualitative and Quantitate Research	Read Chapters 14 and 18; Selected and assigned readings
16	Thesis Proposal & Presentation--Mixed Methods Research; Ethical Research	Read Chapters 19 and 22; See Chapters 1 and 4; Selected and assigned readings
17	Final Examination	Final Examination