Writing

Describe a problem in education. What is the significance of this issue? What would you like to know about this problem? Who else is interested in this problem? What do

they say about it? How would you systematically investigate this

problem?

Scenario - Dinner PartyImagine that you have been invited to a

dinner party. The invited guests are among the people you respect, but sometimes you challenge one another. When you arrive several of your friends and some unfamiliar people are standing together discussing a topic you all care deeply about. You approach them and exchange greetings and introductions. You listen to the conversation at hand, then join the discussion. This is the party that is academic research.

Research Design in Education

EDLPS 549

Autumn 2006

Overview - Purpose

1. To broadly examine the elements of research design common to the social sciences, with particular emphasis on the interdisciplinary field of Education.

2. To explore the techniques underlying the development of a literature review and conference proposal

3. To develop the skills to be successful in the academic research community.

Overview - Research Design

You will learn about research questions, and how to ask them.

You will learn about using theory to guide your own research designs.

You will be exposed (in broad ways) to the traditions of: Qualitative research design Quantitative research design Foundations, and foundations-oriented approaches.

Overview - Writing

This course has been designed to guide you through and intense term of writing.

The course offers a structured environment to develop your own writing habits - the heart of your academic research.

To be successful, you will need to devote substantial time outside of class writing each dayeach day.

The habits of successful writing are an integral component of successful academic research.

Course Objectives

Examine the three broad areas of educational research:

qualitative, quantitative, foundations.

Develop competence in critiquing and using information from

research in different formats and research designs

Demonstrate the skills and methods of conducting a literature

review.

Prepare research proposals appropriate for conferences, funding,

and/or graduate level research.

Develop skills and habits of academic writing and peer review.

Demonstrate individual accountability and group responsibility

in collaborative learning and peer-review activities.

Tools

Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and

Mixed Methods Approaches, 2nd Edition.

On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The

Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction.

Additional course readings - paper and electronic

Notebook or journal

Jump drive and/or CDs

A laptop is helpful, but not required.

Assignments

Writing Journal

Writing Groups

Research Essentials Jigsaw

Conference Proposal

Literature Review

Schedule

In-class Weekly readings & assignments

Creswell - assigned weekly by chapter Zinsser - at your pace by deadline Articles & handouts - posted to class online resources

Out-of-class Journal Research (literature or resources) Daily Writing Writing Meetings (3 minimum)

Next Steps - Journal

Reflections on writing.

Writing journal – annotations of time place, what works, what doesn’t, venues, fuel (ie food or beverages), books, tools, etc. needed.

Accomplishments, starting points, ideas.

Writing Groups – journal entry for how your own writing is going and how your experience as a writing group participant is going.

Personal - Not be turned in.

Syllabus/Class

Questions?Questions?

Thesis - Purpose

Institutional: Making a contribution to the field Demonstration of fitness to conduct & publish research To enter the scholarly ranks

Personal: To earn the degree! Way of learning (self and topic) A way of knowing and thinking “I don’t know it until I write it” Systematizing knowledge and finding a forum to express it Personal & professional growth

Communication: Write the results of your research

To inform

What a dissertation IS

Report intended for a scholarly audience

Long – average 200 pages (125-225)

Scholarly; build on previous knowledge

Systematic (Objective vs. Subjective)

Specifically organized

What a dissertation is NOT

A long term paper Anecdotal account of professional success Personal statement of philosophy or opinion

Thesis-Audience

Committee Self

[faculty as a whole] [members of your professional community]

Participants Peers & Colleagues Other Scholars Practitioners

Course Writing Prompts

Describe a problem in education. What is the significance of this issue? What would you like to know about this problem? Who else is interested in this problem? What do they say

about it? How would you systematically investigate this problem?

Writing Prompts For This Week

Questions to help the shift from topic to problem:

1. What causes it?2. Who is especially involved in it?3. When does it occur?4. What effects does it have? 5. What types are there?6. How do various groups perceive it?7. In what stage does it occur?8. What will make it better?9. What makes it effective?10. What relationship does it have to other phenomena?

End