Syllabus
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)
EDU 802 Qualitative Research Methods (Summer 2018)
Credits - 3
Description
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.
Course Objectives
Examine the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research methods, modes of problem conceptualization, and research design. Conduct initial data collection, data analysis, and presentations of findings. Identify the central tenets of qualitative research, potential research questions, and pertinent scholarship on a variety of qualitative approaches. Use qualitative analysis in the process of transforming your organization and consider the use of qualitative approaches for future research.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes
- Articulate values and beliefs about qualitative research approaches through systematic inquiry and critical reflection.
- Design, justify, and pilot research questions to inform interview and focus group inquiry.
- Describe field-based qualitative data collection processes and personal experiences that inform a focused inquiry and leading organizational change.
- Use peer review and advice, coaching and critique to improve and refine research skills
- Apply critical reflection strategies to explore both the self as researcher and one’s relationship to a site of study.
- Critique and select qualitative research methodologies to align with proposed studies.
- Define and justify preferred methods of data collection and analyses in relation to a proposed research study.
Assignments
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. For initial discussion posts, please limit the word count to fewer than 750 words; for follow-up responses, the limit is 500 words.
Interview Protocol
Design an interview questionnaire/guide.
Structured Abstract and Peer Reviews
In this course, you will be drafting a structured abstract for your Qualitative Study Written Report final assignment. The first part of the Report is the Abstract.
Your Structured Abstract should be between 200-400 words and should include all of these components: Background/Context; Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study; Setting; Participants; Research Design; Data Collection and Analysis; Findings; and Conclusions.
Final Report
Write the report in 2,000 words or less (including references page, tables, charts, etc.) following APA format and including the following elements:
- Title
- Structured Abstract
- Objective or purposes
- Research methods, design & techniques
- Findings and conclusions
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| ASSIGNMENTS | POINTS |
|---|---|
| Purpose Statement | 10 |
| Interactive Postings | 30 |
| Interview Protocol | 10 |
| Final Report | 40 |
| Peer Review of Structured Abstract Draft | 10 |
| TOTAL | 100 |
Grading
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:
- High Pass (HP): Work that exceeds all or most of the criteria of the respective assignment. To receive a high pass the work must demonstrate exceptional command and display of all or most required elements (95 – 100);
- Pass (P): Work that meets all requirements and expectations as specified in assignments, and is fully satisfactory in every respect (80 – 94);
- Low Pass (LP): Work is deemed unsatisfactory (70 – 79).
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).
Schedule
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 and Dates |
Topic |
Activities & Assignments |
Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 June 27 – July 1 |
Course Overview Defining Qualitative Research |
Review Course Syllabus Read:
Whole Class Discussion – Introduction (Ungraded) Whole Class Discussion Forum for Week 1 Offline Assignment: Personal Research Journal – Entry #1 |
Discussion completed by Sunday, 7/1 by 11:59 PM ET *Initial Response to prompt is due by FRIDAY |
|
Week 2 July 2 – July 8 |
Choosing a Research Design from Qualitative Methodology |
Read:
Whole Class Discussion – Purpose Statement Assignment: Complete Purpose Statement Worksheet |
Discussion completed by Sunday, 7/8 by 11:59 PM ET *Initial response to prompt is due no later than 11:59 PM on WEDNESDAY Purpose Statement Worksheet completed by Sunday, 7/8 by 11:59 PM |
|
Week 3 July 9 – July 15 |
Interviewing Protocol |
Read:
Small Group Discussion – Research Reflection Assignment: Interview Protocol |
Discussion completed by Sunday, 7/15 by 11:59 PM ET *Initial response to prompt is due no later than 11:59 PM on WEDNESDAY Assignment to be submitted by Sunday 7/15 by 11:59 PM ET |
|
Week 4 July 16 – July 22 |
Transcription and Human Subject Protection |
Read:
Assignment: De-Identified Transcript (Ungraded) |
Transcript assignment due: Sunday, 7/22 by 11:59 pm. ET |
|
Week 5 July 23 – July 29 |
Coding Process |
Read:
Small Group Discussion – Coding Process Offline Assignment: Member Checking |
Discussion completed by Sunday, 7/29 by 11:59 PM ET *Initial response to prompt is due no later than 11:59 PM on WEDNESDAY |
|
Week 6 July 30 – August 5 |
The Ethics of a Qualitative Researcher and Documenting Findings |
Read:
Assignment and Small Group Discussion: Structured Abstract (Draft, ungraded) Assignment and Small Group Discussion: Peer Reviews |
Peer Reviews posted for 2 others due by Friday, 8/3 by 11:59 pm. ET |
|
Week 7 August 6 – August 12 |
Final Report |
Read:
Assignment: Final Research Report |
Assignment to be submitted by Sunday 8/12 by 11:59 PM ET |
|
Week 8 August 13 – August 19 |
Reflections |
Whole Class DB – Final Reflection Course Evaluation |
Discussion completed by Sunday 8/19 by 11:59 PM ET *Initial response to prompt is due no later than 11:59 PM on WEDNESDAY |
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Education page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Blackboard/Brightspace.
- EDD Databases: View EDD Databases
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
The University of New England offers various writing supports as part of the Writing Resource Program provided by the Student Academic Success Center (SASC):
- Writing Workshops (in-person, on campus) http://www.une.edu/studentlife/portland/sasc/writing-program/writing-outreach
- Student Academic Success Center Writing Support, including online writing assistance and in-person, on campus tutors http://www.une.edu/studentlife/portland/sasc/writing-program/writing-support
- Online Writing Resources: http://www.une.edu/studentlife/portland/sasc/writing-program/writing-links
AI Use
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.
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
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.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs
Course Evaluation Policy
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.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Late Policy
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.
Attendance Policy
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.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
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.
Academic Integrity
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:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
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.