Syllabus

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

EDU 809: Conceptualizing Applied Research (Fall A 2023)

Credits - 3

Description

This course is the second of two courses (EDU 808 and EDU 809) designed to provide a cognitive map to introduce the researcher to the significance of theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Students will be introduced to the ways in which conceptual frameworks function as a statement about why their topic is worth studying, why it matters, and how the proposed research study methods are appropriate and rigorous. This course will focus on conceptual frameworks and their practical application to synthesize research. Students will further develop their individual applied research by continuing to review the process, establishing the basis for a solid research problem, and use conceptual frameworks as both guide and ballast for research.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Course Objectives

Students should be able to:

1. Draft a conceptual/theoretical framework for the approved research topic.
2. Begin to frame and develop a full working draft of Chapter 1.
3. Continue to develop and expand a full working draft of Chapter 2.

Course Outcomes

This is the second 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 Chapter 2 and begin a working draft of Chapter 1 and Chapter 3 based upon their approved topic. Alignment of their topic with a problem, purpose, research questions, title, and thematic “buckets” 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

Alignment Tool

In week 1, you will revise and resubmit this document based on feedback from your 808 course instructor. You will revise and resubmit it again at the end of the course.

Working Dissertation Topic Approval Form

Like the Alignment Tool, you will revise and resubmit this document based on feedback from your 808 course instructor in week 1. You will revise and resubmit it again at the end of the course.

Working Draft of Chapter 2—Literature Review from 808

Week 1 also requires you to revise and submit the Literature Review section of Chapter 2, which you drafted in EDU 808. Along with revising your work, you must submit the feedback from your 808 instructor to your 809 instructor.

Draft of Chapter 1–Introduction and Conceptual/Theoretical Framework

In week 2, you will draft and submit the Introduction and Conceptual/Theoretical Framework sections of your dissertation.

Working Draft of Chapter 1—Beyond the Introduction and Conceptual/Theoretical Framework

In week 3, you will begin drafting definitions of key terms, problem and purpose statements, research questions, assumptions, limitations, and the summary section of Chapter 1 based on your current research topic.

Working Draft of Chapter 2—Revision of Introduction and Conceptual/Theoretical Framework

In week 4, you will revise and submit work from EDU 808: The Introduction and Conceptual/Theoretical Framework sections of Chapter 2. Since Chapter 2 is designed to expand on the information briefly introduced in Chapter 1, your work from weeks 2 and 3 on Chapter 1 will help inform your ongoing revisions of Chapter 2.

Working Draft of Chapter 3—Introduction and Outline

Week 5’s assignment allows you to begin work on Chapter 3. You will draft the Chapter 3 Introduction. You will also create a draft outline of the rest of Chapter 3.

Working Draft—Full Chapters 1, 2 & Introduction and Outline of Chapter 3

In week 7, you will submit a combined draft of Chapters 1 and 2 of your dissertation, along with the introduction to and outline of Chapter 3. You must be sure to revise all the components of this submission based on previous feedback from your 809 instructor.

Grading Policy

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

Grade Breakdown

Assignment	Points
Active Participation in Threaded Discussions (5 Discussions @ 3 points each)	15
Week 1: Alignment Tool	3
Week 1: Working Dissertation Topic Approval Form	2
Week 1: Working Draft of Chapter 2—Literature Review from 808	5
Week 2: Working Draft of Chapter 1—Introduction and Conceptual\Theoretical Framework	12
Week 3: Working Draft of Chapter 1—Beyond the Introduction and Conceptual\Theoretical Framework	10
Week 4: Working Draft of Chapter 2—Revision of Introduction and Conceptual\Theoretical Framework	12
Week 5: Working Draft of Chapter 3—Introduction and Outline	10
Week 7: Working Draft—Full Chapters 1; 2 & Introduction and Outline of Chapter 3	26
Week 7: Revised Alignment Tool	3
Week 7: Revised Dissertation Topic Approval Form	2
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 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).