EDU 6280 Dissertation Research Design
(formerly EDU 628)
This course is designed for students who are beginning their dissertation projects. The aim of the course will be to give students the tools to conceptualize their projects in terms of research questions, study design, methodology, data collection, qualitative and quantitative analyses, and interpretation of results. The course will review various designs of research and the preparation of research proposals. This course will contrast the issues, problems and strategies related to qualitative research versus statistical analysis of quantitative research and discuss mixed methodologies. The class will discuss issues related to theory formation and hypothesis testing; creating measurement protocols; descriptive and causal inference; longitudinal, comparative and case study research; field data collection; working with texts and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, interpreting results; and, finally, dissertation write-up. Students will be expected to combine the theoretical aspects of research with the knowledge base of their specialty areas of study. Students will be expected to define acceptable questions for study, determine an appropriate research design based on the questions asked, and develop methodically acceptable analytic procedures.
Distribution
Education