Qualitative Methods of Research – EDUC 817

Course Description

This course examines qualitative methods used in educational research, focusing primarily on participant-observation, asking questions, writing field notes, and on the transformation of these primary field data into written ethnographic documents. (Formerly EDUC 717)

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

The research problems addressed by the process of educational research often present a more complex problem than the use of traditional quantitative research approaches can satisfy. As a result of this complexity, there is the need for alternate ways to answer research questions. Qualitative research provides this alternate approach. Christian educational researchers must develop a diverse understanding of research methodologies and approaches to best apply the proper method in the practice of educational research. At the core of our society’s need to stabilize itself against a relentless current of revisionist historians, secular interests, and extreme ideologies is the need for Christian scholars to become skilled at developing and asking questions that support the spirit of the scientific method to seek both facts and truth.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the candidate will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the candidate will complete Discussions in two parts. First, the candidate should post a new thread of 200-250 words in response to the provided prompt. Then, the candidate should reply to two classmates, with each reply being at least 100 words. All sources should be cited in APA format. (CLO: C)

Five Approaches Table Assignment

Candidates will complete a chart that will allow them to define, explain, and discuss five major qualitative research methods. The assignment should adhere to APA formatting. (CLO: A, D, G, H)

Article Critique Assignments (2)

Candidates will read and critique an article based on information provided in the textbook. While there are five major qualitative approaches, this course focuses on the two most common methods: phenomenology and case study. Candidates will review one (1) phenomenological journal article and one (1) case study article related to their broader dissertation topic area of interest with a focus on reviewing the aspects of the qualitative method used in the article. Then, the candidate will provide at least 3 paragraphs in summary of the article and 1 paragraph of analysis. The assignment should adhere to APA formatting. (CLO: B)

Developing Interview Questions Assignments (2)

Candidates will practice developing interview questions based on assigned research questions. This course offers two instances of developing questions and conducting interviews to develop a novice’s exposure to interviewing as a qualitative research skill. The assignment should adhere to APA formatting. (CLO: D)

Peer Interview Assignments (2)

Candidates will practice collecting interview data by conducting two interviews with classmates from this course. Each interview should be brief and be audio recorded for transcription, which is the assignment deliverable. These assignments should adhere to APA formatting. (CLO: E, F)

Initial Coding of Transcript Assignment

The initial coding of raw interview data is the most common start to qualitative data analysis. After transcribing the initial data from the first interview, the candidate will perform initial coding on that raw data. The assignment should adhere to APA formatting. (CLO: G)

Theme Development Activity Assignment

Many steps to qualitative data analysis can be completed by the researcher depending on the approach used; however, all qualitative data analysis starts with initial coding and ends with theme development. The candidate will develop themes based on an assigned set of intermediate codes. The assignment should adhere to APA formatting. (CLO: H)

Quizzes (4)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned module. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10-25 multiple-choice questions, have a 60-minute time limit, and allow 1 attempt.