Syllabus
Master of Science in Education
EDU 690 Action Research
Credits - 3
Description
In this course, students will explore action research within their own work setting. Students will formulate a problem statement, conduct a literature review, design a study, and identify which data to collect for the purpose of developing an action plan. Through a systematic and collaborative process, participants will utilize action research to reflect, analyze and enhance their professional practice. Students will also develop writing skills which are important for professional communication.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
- Determine the importance and value of educators becoming action researchers
- Examine the relationship between action research and traditional educational research
- Explain the characteristics of action research useful in educational settings
- Apply collaborative inquiry skills and engage in reflective practice
- Utilize the principles of action research to define problems and identify appropriate data-driven solutions to address the problems
- Clarify ethical issues involved in conducting action research.
- Apply the process of action research to your own educational setting
- Demonstrate the mechanics of writing a graduate-level research report
- Use appropriate technology in the data collection and analysis process
Assignments
Specific instructions for each assignment can be found within the weekly modules.
Discussions
This course has eight required discussions designed to help you to synthesize the course concepts.
Week 1 Assignment: Epiphany Videos
You will be creating a Two-Part Video for assignment one. In the first video, take about two minutes to discuss your initial thoughts prior to any course exploration of Action Research. Then, once you have read and viewed the Week 1 course materials, follow up with a second video answering the question: “What do you know now that you did not know before?”
Week 1 Assignment: Action Research Proposal Template
Throughout the course, you will build an Action Research Proposal, using a provided Proposal Template as a framework. Each week, components will be added, building toward the finalized Action Research Proposal, due in Week 7. In Week 1, you will make a copy of the template, draft a title for your proposal, and share the template with your instructor.
Week 2 Assignment: Action Research Plug & Play
One of the first steps in Action Research is identifying an area of focus. For this assignment, you will begin to hone in on the topic that will become your Research Problem. In this assignment, you will complete a guided template in which you will evaluate ethical principles, propose research topics, and ultimately select the one topic you will focus on in your Action Research Proposal.
Week 2 Assignment: Action Research Proposal Template (Purpose Statement)
In week 2, you will add a paragraph describing the purpose of your research and submit it to your instructor for feedback.
Week 3 Assignment: Infographic
For this assignment, you will create an Infographic that visually demonstrates your Problem Statement, Research Questions, and Hypothesis. The goal is for you to present a visual representation of your Action Research Proposal that reflects your journey so far.
Week 3 Assignment: Action Research Proposal Template (Problem Statement, Research Questions, and Hypothesis)
In week 3, you will draft the Problem Statement, Research Questions, and Hypothesis sections of your Action Research Proposal and submit the template to your instructor for feedback.
Week 4 Assignment: Annotated Bibliography
In week 4, you will begin to evaluate sources for your study. You will select 5 peer-reviewed articles and share how each is related to your Action Research Proposal by producing an Annotated Bibliography.
Week 5 Assignment: Literature Review
By the close of Week 5, you will formalize the analysis of your chosen resources (from Week 4’s Annotated Bibliography) in a Literature Review.
Week 5 Assignment: Action Research Proposal Template (Literature Review and revisions)
In addition to submitting your Literature Review as a completed product to your instructor for grading, you will also copy that content into your Action Research Proposal Template. You should also begin to make any revisions based on feedback and/or new information gained from your analysis of resources. Share your Action Research Proposal Template with your instructor for feedback.
Week 6 Assignment: PowerPoint Presentation (Methodology)
In Week 6’s assignment, you will Create a PowerPoint Presentation that shares with your audience your Problem, Research Questions, and no less than three possible Methodologies to conduct your research. Close the presentation with the methodology that you selected and why that one best fits your Action Research Proposal.
Week 6 Assignment: Action Research Proposal Template (Research Methodology/Design)
This week, your assignment is to update the content in your template, making edits as needed to the sections you completed in Weeks 1-5. Then, complete the Research Methodology/Design section, following the prompts in the document to describe your intended research methods. Share your Action Research Proposal Template with your instructor for feedback.
Week 7 Assignment: Finalized Action Research Proposal
You have been updating your Action Research Proposal Template each week throughout our journey; this week, you will add the final sections, complete all revisions, and formalize your template by adding a cover page and references in APA format. This final version should reflect careful attention to any and all feedback you received during the course and represent your best work.
Week 8 Assignment: Three-Part Video Reflection
For this final assignment, you will complete a Three-Part Video Reflection. Each part of the video will require you to respond to specific prompts: in Part 1, you will reflect on how you have changed as a result of this course; in Part 2, you will “Pitch Your Proposal,” explaining what would be necessary to carry out your proposal; in Part 3, you will consider how you can help others become research-practitioners in their current roles.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment | Points |
|---|---|
| Weekly Discussions (8 @ 4 points each) | 32 |
| Action Research Proposal Template: DRAFT submissions (5 @ 1 point each) | 5 |
| Week 1 Assignment: Epiphany Videos | 5 |
| Week 2 Assignment: Action Research Plug & Play | 5 |
| Week 3 Assignment: Infographic | 5 |
| Week 4 Assignment: Annotated Bibliography | 5 |
| Week 5 Assignment: Literature Review | 8 |
| Week 6 Assignment: PowerPoint Presentation (Methodology) | 5 |
| Week 7 Assignment: Finalized Action Research Proposal | 25 |
| Week 8 Assignment: Three-Part Reflection Video | 5 |
| TOTAL | 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 |
Schedule
Course Dates
Week 1: Jan 17 – Jan 21
Week 2: Jan 22 – Jan 28
Week 3: Jan 29 – Feb 4
Week 4: Feb 5 – Feb 11
Week 5: Feb 12 – Feb 18
Week 6: Feb 19 – Feb 25
Week 7: Feb 26 – Mar 3
Week 8: Mar 4 – Mar 10
|
Week |
Topic |
Assignments |
Assignment Due Date |
|
|
Week 1 |
Intro to Action Research and Identifying Your Problem |
Class Discussion Week 1 Assignment: Epiphany Videos Week 1 Assignment: Action Research Proposal Template |
Due: Sun. at 11:59 p.m. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by FRIDAY at 11:59 PM ET |
|
|
Week 2 |
Ethical Practices |
Class Discussion Week 2 Assignment: Action Research Plug & Play Week 2 Assignment: Action Research Proposal Template (Purpose Statement) |
Due: Sun. at 11:59 p.m. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY at 11:59 PM ET |
|
|
Week 3 |
Problem Statement, Research Question, and Hypothesis (with APA Refresher) |
Class Discussion Week 3 Assignment: Infographic Week 3 Assignment: Action Research Proposal Template (Problem Statement, Research Questions, and Hypothesis) |
Due: Sun. at 11:59 p.m. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY at 11:59 PM ET |
|
|
Week 4 |
The Literature Review, Part 1 |
Class Discussion Week 4 Assignment: Annotated Bibliography |
Due: Sun. at 11:59 p.m. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY at 11:59 PM ET |
|
|
Week 5 |
The Literature Review, Part 2 |
Class Discussion Week 5 Assignment: Literature Review Week 5 Assignment: Action Research Proposal Template (Literature Review) |
Due: Sun. at 11:59 p.m. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY at 11:59 PM ET |
|
|
Week 6 |
Methodology |
Class Discussion Week 6 Assignment: PowerPoint Presentation (Methodology) Week 6 Assignment: Action Research Proposal Template (Research Methodology/Design; revisions as needed) |
Due: Sun. at 11:59 p.m. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by THURSDAY at 11:59 PM ET; peer feedback should be shared by SATURDAY at 11:59 PM ET |
|
|
Week 7 |
Assembling the Action Research Proposal |
Class Discussion Week 7 Assignment: Finalized Action Research Proposal |
Due: Sun. at 11:59 p.m. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY at 11:59 PM ET |
|
|
Week 8 |
Presenting Your Action Research Proposal |
Class Discussion Week 8 Assignment: Three-Part Reflection Video |
Due: FRIDAY at 11:59 p.m. ET *Note: Initial discussion responses should be posted by WEDNESDAY at 11:59 PM ET |
|
Student Resources
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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.
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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.
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Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
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