Online · School of Education · Graduate Education

Educational Research and Assessment

EDUC-518

CG Section 8WK 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 Modified 12/12/2022  Contact Information

See detailed faculty information in Canvas.  Course Description

Overview of the nature of research on human development, learning, and pedagogical knowledge and skills. Topics include current trends and issues in education, skills in data collection and assessment, and application of research in the school setting.

Requisites

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog (https://catalog.liberty.edu/).

 Rationale

The objective of this course is to help the candidate gain a basic understanding of the nature of educational research. At the conclusion, the candidate will have the skills and knowledge necessary to critically evaluate educational research and to judiciously apply findings in his/her professional settings.

 Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Examine scientific reason as it is related to a biblical worldview.

B. Describe the steps for conducting research (i.e., the research process).

C. Identify characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research designs.

D. Critically evaluate educational literature.

E. Compose a literature review on an educational topic.

F. Develop a research study proposal.

G. Employ improved scholarly writing skills and the ability to communicate with acumen, clarity, and succinctness.

 Course Resources

Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: Liberty University Online Bookstore (https://bncvirtual.com/liberty).

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

C. Canvas recommended browsers (https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10720-what-are-the-browser-and-computer-

requirements-for-canvas)

 D. Microsoft Office

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 Course Assignments

Candidate-led discussions, lectures, article/text readings, case studies, and self-directed research delivered through the Blackboard learning environment.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations (https://www.liberty.edu/institutional-effectiveness/student-

expectations/), the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview. Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, throughout the course, the candidate will participate in 4 Discussions. For each discussion, the candidate must respond to the prompt provided by posting a thread.. Each thread must be at least 300 words. After posting the thread, the candidate must submit a 150-word reply to at least 1 classmate’s thread. (CLO: B, C, D, E)

Topical Reference List

The candidate will develop a reference list including a minimum of 10 research articles relevant to his/her selected educational topic. Reference citations must be in current APA format and must be followed by an abstract for the article. (CLO: E)

Quantitative Article Review

The candidate will summarize and critically evaluate a quantitative journal article on his/her selected research topic. (CLO: A, C, D)

Qualitative Article Review

The candidate will summarize and critically evaluate a qualitative journal article on his/her selected research topic. (CLO: A, C, D)

Literature Review

The candidate will write a traditional Literature Review on his/her selected educational topic. The review must be a synthesis (not simply a summary) of relevant research findings related to the selected topic. The review must be written in current APA format. (CLO: A, E, F, H)

Research Proposal

As a culminating project for this course, the candidate must incorporate all of his/her previous work into a 25-slide PowerPoint presentation Research Proposal. The candidate is not required to conduct the proposed research; instead, he/she must simply outline a possible research plan. (CLO: B, G, H)

Quizzes (5)

The candidate will complete 5 open-book/open-notes quizzes. Quizzes will contain 20 multiple-choice questions and will have a 2-hour time limit (CLO: B, C, D, F)

 Course Grading

  10

Discussions (4 at 50 pts ea) 200

Course Requirements Checklist

100

Topical Reference List

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Article Review: Quantitative 100

100

Literature Review 200

100

Quizzes (5 at 40 pts ea) 200

Article Review: Qualitative

Research Proposal

Total

 Policies

1010

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.

3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special

circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by

the instructor.

4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date

outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability Assistance

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation- support/ (https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Liberty+University+Discrimination,+Harassment,+and+Sexual+Misconduct+Policy) or

the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures (https://www.liberty.edu/disability-support/wp- content/uploads/sites/106/2022/01/Disability-Grievance-Procedures.pdf).

Course Attendance

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Online+Attendance+and+Non-Attendance) can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs (https://www.liberty.edu/academics/course-catalogs/). Regular attendance in online courses is

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expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non- Attendance (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Unofficial+Withdrawals)). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

Grading Scale

        A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D-

940- 1010

920- 939

900- 919

860- 899

840- 859

820- 839

780- 819

760- 779

740- 759

700- 739

680- 699

F

679 and below

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop Policy

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory

(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes). Honor Code

Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/ (https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/).

 Schedule

    When Topic Notes

Technology Integration Set-Up Prepare: Cengage MindTap

     Course Overview Student Acknowledgements Course Requirements Checklist

        Module 1: Week 1

Learn

Read: 2 items Watch: 1 item

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    When Topic

Notes

   Apply

Quiz: Background Check

Quiz: Research in Education and the Research Problem Discussion: Literature Review Critique

    Module 2: Week 2

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

   Apply

Discussion: Purpose Statement and Research Question Quiz: Reviewing the Literature and Ethical Research

    Module 3: Week 3

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

   Apply

Topical Reference List Assignment Discussion: Understanding the Literature

    Module 4: Week 4

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

   Apply

Article Review: Quantitative Assignment

Quiz: Experimental and Ex Post Facto Research

    Module 5: Week 5

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

   Apply

Discussion: Research Design and Data Collection

Quiz: Survey Research and Understanding Quantitative Data

    Module 6: Week 6

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

   Apply

Article Review: Qualitative Assignment Quiz: Qualitative Research

  Module 7: Week 7

Learn

Apply

Apply

Literature Review Assignment

Research Proposal Assignment

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

       Module 8: Week 8

Learn

Read: 1 item Watch: 1 item

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