Syllabus

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)

EDU 808: Using Theory to Guide Research – Spring B 2019

Credits - 3

Description

This course is the first of two courses (EDU 808 & EDU 809) designed to provide a cognitive map introducing the researcher to theoretical and conceptual frameworks. This course focuses on the theoretical framework in particular and its practical application to inform and guide research. The course design is designed to strengthen the ability of students to relate theory to select leadership case examples within the text. Students will further develop individual applied research by continuing to review the literature, by articulating a theoretical framework and continue the quest to clearly focus the purpose of their study. 

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Course Objectives:

1. To understand the meaning of theoretical framework.
2. To interpret the meaning of theoretical framework and practical application.
3. To apply theoretical framework to select leadership case studies.
4. To focus the purpose of your study through the lens of theory.
5. To articulate a theoretical framework for the literature review.
6. To produce academic and scholarly writing in the style of the discipline, APA.
7. To engage in interactivity in threaded discussions and group interactions. Achievement of competencies and learning objectives will be assessed through relevant learning activities including discussion board posts, assignments, group projects, quizzes and exams.

Course Outcomes:

This course is designed to ground the students’ understanding in the important aspect of designing and clarifying the students’ research. It will provide opportunities to develop skills that are essential for conducting research with particular focus on theory, theoretical framework and its practical application. Students will demonstrate an ability to discriminate among alternative research theories and determine the theoretical framework for their emergent area of study. Students will participate in active case studies based upon leadership theories. Students will demonstrate exemplary ability to differentiate constituent parts; assess and comment on theories, thoughts, ideas and relevant literature; and construct a cogent and theoretically informed literature review analysis.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Upon completion of the course, learners will:
• Understand the meaning of theory and theoretical framework
• Discern theoretical framework and its importance in a robust literature review
• Effectuate the application of theory through case study analysis
• Participate actively and constructively in threaded discussions with other students and the instructor regarding the course material
• Discern the theoretical framework of the student’s individual literature review
• Produce academic and scholarly writing in the style of the discipline, APA

Assignments

Major Course Activities:

1. Active Participation in Threaded Discussions
2. Case Study- #1
3. Case Study- #2
4. Poster Assignment and Discussion
5. Kubler-Ross Theoretical Framework Assignment
6. Theoretical Framework Analysis Paper (Assessing the Preliminary Lit Review)

Major Assignments:

5 Threaded Discussions:

Active participation is required

2 Case Studies or Articles:

The case study assignments are an opportunity to examine and diagnose principles of a given case through the use of theory. Selection of an  article to support your topic area should be used for an exploration of how theory relates in a leadership approach in relationship to the topic or key concepts.

Poster Assignment and Discussion

Create a poster to visualize and describe the problem of practice, research population, instrument, and the basic tenets of one theory that you could apply to your proposed study.

Theoretical Assignment:

This paper will help determine purpose, methods, data analysis and theoretical framework of your study through a series of questions and a theoretical lens.

Theoretical Framework Analysis (Assessing the Preliminary Lit Review):

This is the major paper for the term; it affords the opportunity to assess the study and its purpose, the theoretical framework and preliminary literature review. It is a culminating work that allows inquiry and discovery.

Grading Policy

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

Grade Breakdown

Assignment	Points Each	Total Points
Active Participation in Four Threaded Discussions	4 @ 2 points	8
Poster and Discussion	17	17
Two Case Studies	2 @ 15 points	30
Kubler-Ross Theoretical Framework Assignment	15	15
Theoretical Framework Analysis Paper (Assessing the Preliminary Literature Review)	30	30
TOTAL	100	100

Grade Scale

Grade	Points Grade	Point Average (GPA)
A	94 – 100%	4.00
A-	90 – 93%	3.75
B+	87 – 89%	3.50
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.75
C+	77 – 79%	2.50
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.75
D	64 – 69%	1.00
F	00 – 63%	0.00

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 points);
• Pass (P): Work that meets all requirements and expectations as specified in assignments, and is fully satisfactory in every respect (80 – 94 points);
• Low Pass (LP): Work is deemed unsatisfactory (70 – 79 points).

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).