Qualitative research provides field-focused, interpretative, detailed descriptions of participants and their settings. Students identify and implement research methods, developing a set of skills to critically observe individuals and communities, interview participants, and examine artifacts typically used in qualitative studies. Examination of one’s role within the research setting is informed by engaging in critical reflection. Students evaluate qualitative methods that align with their proposed research study purpose.
Student Learning Outcomes
Whole Class and Small Group Discussion Boards
Students will be required to respond to prompts related to course materials and engage with colleagues in the course with responses to classmates’ posts to support understanding and the co-construction of knowledge.
Research Reviews
Students will be required to provide commentary and critique of qualitative research study proposals and papers authored by professional researchers.
Qualitative Research Empirical Study – Written Report & Data Analysis Work
Students will be required to utilize previously developed qualitative interview transcripts (EDU 801) to conduct data analysis and report conclusions regarding research findings in a written report and structured abstract.
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
ASSIGNMENTS | POINTS |
---|---|
Discussion Board Posts & Comments (4 @ 5 points each) | 20 |
Research Reviews (2 @ 10 points each) | 20 |
Qualitative Research Empirical Study | 60 |
TOTAL | 100 |
The criteria for all courses in the Ed. D. program are described in the modules and/or rubrics. Assignments will include guidelines with rubrics, descriptions of expectations, or examples, and include point values. Coursework will be assessed and graded using individual evaluation protocols that are provided for the three major assignments. Final “grades” will reflect the following schema:
Note** The instructor will determine if an assignment may be revised and resubmitted for rescoring. Candidates may proceed to subsequent courses in the curriculum with one LP grade, and although there is no failing grade, a second LP course grade results in termination from the doctoral program.
All assignments are to be completed in a timely manner with appropriate accuracy, detail, thought and reflection fitting of doctoral-level degree candidates. All assignments (done in writing or with other media applications) are graded on the basis of faculty assessment of your ability to accurately apply concepts from readings, organization, and mechanics. Please note that you must save all submitted documents in Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint in order for them to transmit successfully. All work must be properly identified and include author(s)’ name(s). Submit all written work in APA style (Refer to the APA Publication Manual for guidance; Purdue OWL is an excellent, user-friendly resource).
This is only a tentative schedule and is meant to give you a bird’s eye view. The activities and assignments may change at the discretion of the instructor.
Week |
Topic |
Activities & Assignments |
Dates |
1 2/28 – 3/4 |
Course Overview Defining Research, Ethics |
Review Course Syllabus Creswell, ch. 1:
Creswell, ch. 9:
Selected purpose & ethics readings (Gladwell, Khatchadourian, Tuskegee) Whole Class Discussion Board (DB) – Introduction (Ungraded) Whole Class DB – What is Research? What is Ethical Research? |
Discussion completed by Sunday, 3/4 by 11:59 PM ET *Initial Response to prompt is due by FRIDAY |
2 3/5 – 3/11 |
Methods & Design |
Creswell ch. 1 (remainder) Selected sample designs readings (Denzin, Healy-Etten & Sharp, Oware, Trautner, Stump & Silvernail) Whole Class DB – Possible Research Topics |
Discussion completed by Sunday, 3/11 by 11:59 PM ET *Initial response to prompt is due no later than 11:59 PM on WEDNESDAY |
3 3/12 – 3/18 |
Conceptual Framework & Data Collection |
Creswell ch. 2, 3 & 4 Selected readings (Maxwell, Solórzano & Yosso, AERA reports) Small Group DB – Research Questions & Purpose Assignment: AERA Paper Reviews |
Discussion completed by Sunday, 3/18 by 11:59 PM ET *Initial response to prompt is due no later than 11:59 PM on WEDNESDAY Reviews Due: Sunday, 3/18 by 11:59 pm. ET |
4 3/19 – 3/25 |
Data Analysis |
Creswell ch. 8 Selected coding readings (Basit, Saldana, Dedoose) Assignment: Coded Transcript DRAFT (Ungraded) |
Coded Transcript assignment due: Sunday, 3/25 by 11:59 pm. ET |
5 3/26 – 4/1 |
Interpretation & Conclusions |
Creswell, ch. 13:
Creswell, ch. 15:
Selected conclusions readings (Corbin & Strauss, Miles, Huberman & Saldana, Almossawi & Giraldo) Whole Class DB – Analytic Theme Memos & Diagram |
Discussion completed by Sunday, 4/1 by 11:59 PM ET *Initial response to prompt is due no later than 11:59 PM on WEDNESDAY |
6 4/2 – 4/8 |
Written Report |
Creswell ch. 9 (remainder) Mosteller et al Assignment: Structured Abstract DRAFT (Ungraded) Assignment: Written Report Peer Reviews Small Group DB – Written Report Peer Reviews |
Structured Abstract Due: Wednesday, 4/4 by 11:59 pm. ET Report Share Due: Wednesday, 4/4 by 11:59 pm. ET Peer Reviews Due: Sunday, 4/8 by 11:59 pm. ET |
7 4/9 – 4/15 |
Other Modes of Reporting |
Video: Carstensen – NIH Lecture Video: REL-NEI webinar: Stump & Steele Assignment: Qualitative Empirical Study – Written Report and Data Analysis |
Qualitative Empirical Study Written Report & Data Analysis Work Due: Sunday, 4/15 by 11:59 pm. ET |
8 4/16 – 4/22 |
Course Reflections |
Whole Class DB – Final Reflection |
Discussion completed by FRIDAY, 4/20 by 11:59 PM ET |
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The University of New England offers various writing supports as part of the Writing Resource Program provided by the Student Academic Success Center (SASC):
The Graduate Programs in Education holds the position that Grammarly and other AI writing and generative technology should not be used when completing course assignments, unless explicitly permitted by course faculty and assignment instructions. These tools do not support a student’s personal and direct capacity to develop and hone skills in creativity, logic, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, theorization, and writing, which are central to graduate-level rigor, assessment, and research. Use of these tools when not explicitly permitted may result in an academic integrity infraction.
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
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Course surveys are one of the most important tools the University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
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Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
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Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.