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Course Objectives:
Through reading, group
projects, and other activities, students will
- Know methodology that relates to effective qualitative
research.
- Know how qualitative research is conducted.
- Know past and present researchers in select
fields and their contributions to the knowledge base.
- Know how to differentiate between the
standards for quantitative and qualitative research.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the
relationship between theory and methodology.
- Analyze and interpret qualitative data.
- Construct a qualitative research design that
includes an introduction, literature review, methodology and
references.
- Evaluate published qualitative research.
- Distinguish between ethical and unethical
practices in research.
Instructional Techniques:
- reading
- research
- discussion
- presentations
- whole class, small
group, and individual activities
Assessment/Evaluation:
- written examinations
- written Assignments: quantitative research
- presentations
- dispositions
Assessment/Evaluation:
·
written examinations
- written Assignments: quantitative research
- presentations
- dispositions
Course Requirements:
- Participate in class
discussions and in learning activities.
- Students must attend scheduled classes and be
on time.
- If there are unexpected circumstances that
require you to miss class, the instructor is to be contacted in
advance or ASAP via telephone or email.
- It is the student’s responsibility to obtain
and make up all missed work and time.
- All assignments must be submitted on or
before the due date.
- All written work must be typed and contain
correct grammar and usage.
Major Content Topics:
- Components of qualitative research
- Ethics
- IRB forms
- Techniques
- Problem Statement
- Research Questions
- Literature Review
- Data collection
- Methodology
- Findings
- Interpretation/Discussion
- Future Research
- Relevance of the research
- Critiquing completed studies
Assessment and Evaluation
Text
Quizzes/Tests 10%
Consent/Permission
Letters 10%
Completed
IRB Forms 5%
Research
Artifacts 5%
Panel
Validity/Credibility Required
Interviews:
Create, Pilot, Transcribe and Categorize 10%
Surveys/Questionnaires:
Create, Analyze 10%
Observations:
Transcribe 10%
Triangulation
of Data Sources 5%
Literature
Search 10%
Project
Proposal 20%
Dispositions 5%
Grading Scale
90-100
A
80-89
B
70-79
C
60-69
D
0-59
F
Calendar: This calendar may be altered depending on
the needs of the students.
Session 1 Introduction,
syllabus review, chapter 1 lecture. To do: literature search (15-20
sources)
Session 2 Components
of proposal, lecture on chapters 1, and 2, discussion of research
interests/focus, construct oral interview questions. Due: Literature search sources.
Session 3 Lecture,
chapter 3: fieldwork: conduct and transcribe oral interviews: you will need
a cassette tape recorder and cassette tape (batteries in case of power
failure)
Session 4 Lecture,
chapter 4: qualitative data, transcripts and artifacts/documents. Consent
letters. Due: List & description
of helpful artifacts/documents
Session 5 Lecture,
chapter 5: Data analysis and interpretation. Bring in your transcribed
interviews to analyze. Due: consent
letters
Session 6 Lecture,
chapter 6: Writing up your proposal and findings. Due: Your interviews, transcriptions, categorization, write up.
Session 7 Lecture:
chapter 7: applied qualitative research. IRB forms
Session 8 Appendixes
(A & B) and Glossary. Due:
Completed IRB forms
Session 9 Lecture:
Mixed designs: copy of handout on reserve at dept. (Room 208). Arrange to
observe a teacher/resource room (field notes)
Session 10 Descriptive
studies and surveys (Best & Kahn, chapter 5). Construct
survey/questionnaire, panel validity, credibility.
Session 11 Qualitative
research (Best & Kahn, chapter 8) Discuss survey/questionnaires
Session 12 Due: Survey/Questionnaires. Discuss
analysis of data
Due: Observation fieldnotes (typed). Discuss analysis of data
Session 13 Individual
conferences regarding final project proposals (sign up)
Session 14 Proposal
defenses
Session 15 Due: Final Project Proposals (No
extensions)
Session 16 Final papers available for pick-up at
my office, CCN 208
Note: Your final project must include at least two
data sources for data triangulation in the methodology.
Assignment Descriptions:
Text Quizzes/Test (10% of course grade)‑Students will describe types of qualitative
research and their headings.
Consent/Permission Letters (10% of course grade)‑ Students will construct consent/permission
letters.
Completed IRB Forms (5% of course grade)‑IRB forms are found on the Alabama A&M
University website.
Research Artifacts (5% of course grade)‑Students will construct a first draft of the
methodology they would like to use involving their topics of research.
Interviews: Create,
Pilot, Transcribe, and Categorize (10% of course grade)‑Working with interviews from inception to analysis
of findings.
Surveys/ Questionnaires:
Create, Pilot and Analyze (10% of course grade)‑Working with survey/questionnaires from inception
to analysis of findings.
Observations: Transcribe
(10% of course grade)‑Writing
up your classroom observations in the form of field notes.
Triangulation of Data
Sources: (5% of course grade)‑Multiple data sources used to verify findings and
present a thick descriptive, deep perspective of your findings.
Literature Search including theses(s) (10% of
course grade)‑Students
will conduct a literature search involving sources for their proposals.
They will turn in their computer printed list showing their research
Presentations in Class (Required)‑Students will present and defend their proposals
in class.
Proposal (20% of course grade)‑Each student will write a proposal that may be
expanded into a thesis proposal including the introduction
(statement of the problem; significance of the problem; definitions,
assumptions, limitations, delimitations; literature review section, methodology
section, and references. Questions may be asked at the defense
related to time line and costs of your project or dissertation. You should
include a time line, including each task and the time allocated to its
completion)
Dispositions (5% of grade):
Students will demonstrate
professional dispositions in class including their interactions with
others, attendance, turning work in on time, willingness to revise
assignments when asked, maintaining a professional and positive attitude,
coping with adjustments made in class, professional honesty in written work
and presentations, respect and treatment of others in class, especially
when others are presenting their work, and appropriate use of language. In
discussing your grade, comparisons between and among student assignments
are inappropriate, discussing your assignment and its content on its own
merit is appropriate. Attendance: first absence, minus10% of disposition
grade, second absence minus 20% of dispositions grade. Late papers: Final
papers will not be accepted if late. Other assignments: 10% reduction in
grade for the first week, 20% reduction of grade for the second week.
Disability Statement
(Americans With Disabilities Act):
Alabama
A & M University is committed to serving the needs of students with
disabilities, and the institution recognizes its responsibility for
creating an instructional climate in which a student with disabilities can
succeed. A student with a disability
who needs academic accommodation should:
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