Syllabus

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

EDU 802 Qualitative Research Design (Fall B 2023)

Credits - 3

Description

Students will be introduced to several different qualitative research methods from which to explore. Students will participate in activities which align with the building of a potential qualitative study for their approved working topic of choice.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Critique and select qualitative research approaches to align with proposed studies.
2. Design research questions to inform data collection methods and interview questions.
3. Describe field-based qualitative data collection processes and personal experiences that inform a focused inquiry.
4. Improve and refine research skills through peer discussions and instructor coaching and critique.
5. Apply critical reflection strategies to explore the self as researcher.
6. Define and justify preferred methods of data collection and analyses in relation to a working approved topic for the proposed research study.

Assignments

Discussion Boards

You will be required to respond to prompts related to course materials and engage with your peers in the course to support understanding and the co-construction of knowledge.

Dissertation Topic Approval Form and Alignment Tool for Dissertation Development

These forms can be found in the Doctor of Education Handbook: Guidelines and Best Practices and will help you receive guidance and feedback on your chosen dissertation topic.

Purpose Statement and Sampling Worksheet (Week 2)

Using scripting examples from the text, students will draft a working Problem Statement, Purpose Statement, Sampling Method and Sample Size, and possible Data Collection Method.

Interview Protocol (Week 3)

Students will create an interview protocol aligned with the purpose statement and research questions for their dissertation topic. The interview will take place in Week 4.  

Transcribing and Coding the Interview (Week 4)

Students will conduct and record an interview via Zoom, then provide a transcript and codes for the interview. 

Themes and Findings from the Interview (Week 6)

Based on the work from prior weeks, students will craft a short paper that includes the problem statement, purpose statement, research questions, participant, data collection, analysis methods and the themes/findings from the interview in Week 4.

Dissertation Template and Draft of Chapter 3 (Week 7)

Students will create a full Five Chapter- Dissertation Template using APA 7 guidelines, following the Five-Chapter Dissertation Outline found in the UNE Doctor of Education Program Handbook. Once they have created their template, they will complete the following sections: 

Chapter 1: Introduction

• Statement of the Problem
• Statement of the Purpose
• Research Questions/Design
• Assumptions/Limitations/Scope

Chapter 3: Methodology 

• Introduction (no heading)
• Site Information
• Sampling Method/Participants
• Instrumentation and Data Collection
• Data Analysis
• Limitations, Delimitations, Ethical Issues
• Trustworthiness      

Resubmit: Dissertation Topic Approval Form and Alignment Tool for Dissertation Development

At the end of the course, you will resubmit these forms, incorporating feedback and reflecting upon your growth and learning from the course. These forms can be found in the UNE Doctor of Education Handbook: Guidelines and Best Practices and will help you receive guidance and feedback on your chosen dissertation topic. 

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

ASSIGNMENTS	POINTS
Alignment Tool	3
Topic Approval Form	2
Purpose Statement and Sampling Worksheet	12
Interview Protocol	12
Coding Assignment	12
Themes & Findings from Interview	12
Dissertation Template & Working Draft of Chapter 3	12
Alignment Tool - Resubmission & Reflection	3
Topic Approval Form - Resubmission	2
Course Discussions (6 @ 5 points each)	30
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 a student’s ability to accurately apply concepts from readings, organization, and mechanics. Please note: all submitted documents must be saved 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.