Research and inquiry are core tenets of the Academy program. Students will explore real world programs of their choice using qualitative and quantitative methods. Final assessments will be the presentation of a poster at the annual Research Symposium.
Survey of research methods with emphasis on comprehension of educational research literature, and designing and conducting classroom-based research.
Course Purpose
The purpose of this course is to provide initial instruction on how to locate, understand, and evaluate the research literature in the student’s area of interest. As an introductory survey course, the expectation is not mastery of research methodology, but rather improvement in competencies related to the critical consumption of research literature.
Course Learning Goals
- Identify and evaluate the clarity of the problem statement.
- Determine the theoretical or logical rationale of the research problem.
- Identify the specific research question under investigation.
- Determine whether the question is stated in terms agreeable to investigation.
- Establish the credibility of the research.
- Assess the theoretical perspectives and/or assumptions of the researchers.
- Identify the population(s) being studied.
- Evaluate the appropriateness of the research methodology for the study.
- Assess the clarity and consistency of the results.
- Identify the limitations of the study.
- Offer alternative interpretations of the results.
- Discuss the implications of the study in view of the strengths and weaknesses of the research.
- Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative research designs and methods.