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Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: ED524 - Qualitative Research Methodology I

Course Title:	ED524 - Qualitative Research Methodology I
Department:	Education
Instructor:	Joseph W. Pasquerilla, Ed.D., M.S.Ed. - - Vita

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OVERVIEW

This course is an introduction to qualitative research directly related to methods employed in educational settings. Throughout the course, you will be reviewing literature and reading chapters that provide structured research methodologies and exemplify successful qualitative research. As a capstone project, you will design a small-scale research project which will be carried out should candidates elect to take Qualitative Research Methodology II.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS  Online Bookstore

Mertens, D. M., (2005). Research and Evaluation in Education and Psychology, 2nd Edition. Sage Publications Inc.: Thousand Oaks, CA.
ISBN: 0761928057

Richardson, V. (2001). Handbook of Research on Teaching, 4th Edition. American Educational Research Association: Washington, D.C.
ISBN: 0935302263

CONTACT INFORMATION

The most effective means of contact is via email . With very few exceptions, I will respond to your inquiries and submitted assignments within 24 hours.

ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION

1. your name,
2. your student identification (example: stu00000),
3. the course number (example: ED524), and
4. the assignment title (example: Assignment One) are included in the SUBJECT box of your email message.

EXAMPLE: Subject: Jane Doe; stu00000; ED524; Reflection and Reaction Paper #1

NOTE: Assignments that are attached to email must be Microsoft Office compatible!
If you are unsure if your document is compatible please save it in "Rich Text Format" to ensure Microsoft Word can open the file.

COURSE COMMENTARY

Each candidate enrolled in this course has up to eight weeks to complete the assignments indicated below. However, a candidate may elect to accelerate his/her course of study and finish the assignments at an earlier time without permission from the instructor.

After each assignment that is submitted, the candidate will receive an email within 24 hours indicating his/her score along with possible comments or feedback from the instructor.

Each assignment in this course (related to individual chapters, totaling three) is valuated at ten (20) possible points. The final paper is valuated at forty (40) possible points. Therefore, the candidate’s grade is derived from the following framework.

ASSIGNMENT	POSSIBLE POINTS
Assignment One	20
Assignment Two	20
Assignment Three	20
Final Paper	20
Final Project	20
Total	100

GRADE DERIVATION

90 - 100	= A
80 - 89	= B
70 - 79	= C
60 - 69	= D

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

Assignment One
Read Chapter 1
Provide brief responses to the following questions. Email your responses to the instructor.

• List the steps in the research process. (2pts)
• Briefly describe the steps in the research process. (2pts)
• What is a paradigm? (2pts)
• Define and explain the term Ontology.(2pts)
• Define and explain the term Epistemology. (2pts)
• Define and explain the term Methodology. (2pts)
• Discuss and summarize the most common paradigms discussed in chapter 1. (12pts)

Assignment Two
Read Chapter 8
Provide brief responses to the following questions. Email your responses to the instructor.

• What is the basis for selection of qualitative methods? (5pts)
• List and briefly describe the common strategies used in qualitative research. (5pts)
• Demonstrate an understanding, through a descriptive list, the general methodological guidelines in qualitative research. (5pts)
• Discuss briefly, the analyses of the credibility of qualitative research. (5pts)

Assignment Three
Read Chapter 11
Provide brief responses to the following questions. Email your responses to the instructor.

• List and describe some examples of qualitative research sampling. (2pts)
• Discuss the appropriate sampling methods to be used when accessing educational settings. (2pts)
• Refer to the qualitative research rules of thumb and discuss the different types of research and the recommended sample sizes for each. (2pts)

Read Chapter 12
Provide brief responses to the following questions. Email your responses to the instructor.

• When looking at qualitative data collection methods, please describe the observation method (including the five types of participation identified by Spradely). (5pts)
• When looking at qualitative data collection methods, please describe the interviewing: individual and focus group method (outlining the characteristics of questions that were delineated by Krueger and Casey) (5pts)
• When looking at qualitative data collection methods, please describe the document and records review method (looking in particular at how Lincoln and Guba distinguish between documents and records) (4pts)

FINAL PROJECT

Paper (20pts)
The topic of the final paper is on the data analysis, interpretation, and reporting strategies of qualitative research (consult pages 420-439 in the text for reference). The paper should be two to three (2-3) pages in length, 12 point font, double spaced. While the text should be consulted for your response, it is encouraged that it is personalized with your opinions and feelings. The following questions should be used a framework for your paper:

1. What are the steps in qualitative data analysis?
2. How can computers be utilized in qualitative analysis?
3. What is an effective research plan and budget for a qualitative study?
4. What are some examples of effective writing formats to report the qualitative data?
5. How are the research results utilized effectively?

COURSE ITINERARY

1. Order the required text for the course
2. Complete each assignment and email to the instructor
3. Complete your final paper and email to the instructor
4. Your final grade for the course will be submitted to the Registrar within 24 hours of submitting your final paper.