Syllabus

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

EDU 808: Using Theory to Guide Research (Fall B 2021)

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 is designed to strengthen the ability of students to relate theory to their own research topic and apply case examples with 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

Students should be able to:

1. Understand and apply the theoretical framework for their approved research topic and its place within the conceptual framework.
2. Begin to frame and develop Chapter 2: Literature Review within the context of the conceptual/theoretical framework.
3. Demonstrate an ability to discriminate among alternative research theories and determine the theoretical framework for their emergent area of study. 

Course Outcomes

This is the first of two 3 credit courses that combine to provide students with an overview of conceptual and theoretical frameworks and how this understanding will help them to continue to build their literature review based upon their approved topic. Alignment of their topic with a problem, purpose, research questions, title, and thematic “buckets”  needed in the literature review is reinforced using the Alignment Tool, and a Five Chapter Dissertation Outline (both found in the Doctor of Education Program Handbook: Guidelines and Best Practices).

Assignments

Threaded Discussions:

This course features 4 threaded discussion activities, located in weeks 1, 2, 6 and 8. Threaded discussions are opportunities to develop and revise knowledge through communication with your peers.

Assignment Submissions

Week 1: Alignment Tool & Dissertation Topic Approval Form

You will use two document templates from the Doctor of Education Program Handbook: Guidelines and Best Practices to complete this assignment. You will revisit/revise these documents at the end of the course.

Week 1: Chapter 2—Literature Review from 807

You will submit your working Chapter 2 Literature Review with the feedback you received from your 807 course instructor.

Week 2: Concept Map

You will create a concept map centered around your approved research topic.

Week 2: Table of Contents

You will submit an updated draft of your table of contents page for your five-chapter dissertation.

Week 3: Literature Peer-Reviewed Journal Article(s)

After identifying and reviewing 4 peer-reviewed journal articles, which include two current articles from your 807 literature review and two new or proposed journal articles to be include in your revised Chapter 2, you will prepare an analysis answering a series of questions, provided in the course.

Week 4: Chapter 2—Revision of Introduction and Conceptual/Theoretical Framework

On this assignment we will focus on the Introduction and the Conceptual/Theoretical framework section of Chapter 2.

Week 5: Chapter 2—Revision of Relevant Literature Review and Summary

For the week 5 assignment we will focus on the revision of the relevant literature review and the summary section.  

Week 6: Infographic Using Concept Map

You will use an online tool called Canva to create an infographic based on your Concept Map from week 2.

Week 7: Chapter 2—Full Revision

Following the dissertation outline provided in the Doctor of Education Program Handbook: Guidelines and Best Practices, submit your final working draft of Chapter 2, Title Page, and Table of Contents with in-text citations and a Reference list at the bottom following APA 7 format

Week 7: Revised Alignment Tool and Dissertation Topic Approval Form

You will revisit and revise the two documents you submitted in week 1.

 

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 @ 3 points	12
Week 1: Alignment Tool & Dissertation Topic Approval Form		5
Week 1: Chapter 2—Literature Review from 807		6
Week 2: Concept Map		9
Week 2: Table of Contents		5
Week 3: Literature Peer-Reviewed Journal Article(s)		8
Week 4: Chapter 2—Revision of Introduction and Conceptual/Theoretical Framework		10
Week 5: Chapter 2—Revision of Relevant Literature Review and Summary		10
Week 6: Infographic Using Concept Map		10
Week 7: Chapter 2—Full Revision		20
Week 7: Revised Alignment Tool and Dissertation Topic Approval Form		5
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:

• 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).