Applied Research in Education
(EAF 508)
Department of Educational Administration and Foundations
College of Education
Illinois State University
Fall (2006)
Professor: Zeng Lin
F Email: zlin@ilstu.edu
F Phone: 438-2105
F Office: DeGarmo 344
F Classroom: DeGarmo 463; Meeting Time: Mondays, 5:30-8:20 p.m.
F Office Hours: By Appointment Only
F Syllabus On the Web: http://www.coe.ilstu.edu/zlin/eaf508.htm
An overview of the course: philosophical,
scientific, and statistical foundations of research.
Readings: Chapters 4 and 5
Statistical Inference
Class Requirements
Students
are expected to have read the assigned materials before attending each class so
that they are able to actively participate in lectures and discussions.
Final
papers should be submitted for marking on the due dates described in the
section of Grade Distribution and Due Dates. Only one late submission
will be accepted penalty-free with your Riding Ticket. Other late
submissions will receive a five percent deduction each day after
the due date.
Research Assignments (30% in total)
The course requires students to develop their own research projects in the areas of education, based on national and/or state data.
Research Assignment
One (15%)
The first research assignment deals with descriptive statistics:
v Title of the research assignment. Make the title creative and reflective of what you really want to address! It should tickle the imagination and make the reader curious to read full text.
v At least six variables should be selected from ELS 2002 survey.
v Research needs. By carefully reviewing the literature, the author should identify the needs for further research on the topic.
v Basic hypotheses. What is the dependent variables, and what are the independent variables? What kind of relationships are you looking for?
v APA style tables with clear table titles and labels.
v Write-up on findings and policy implications.
v The fist research assignment should be not longer than 8 pages in length, double-spaced.
Research Assignment Two (15%)
The second research assignment deals with inferential statistics.
v In most cases, you should continue to work on your first assignment.
v Inferential statistics should be used in this assignment with six or more independent variables.
v APA style tables with clear table titles and labels.
v Write-up on findings and policy implications.
v Compare the first assignment to the second one. Is descriptive and inferential statistics consistent? If they are inconsistent, explain why.
v The second research assignment should be not longer than 10 pages in length, double-spaced.
Presentation (10%)
After complete your second assignment, you are asked to create a PowerPoint presentation, 10 slides or less. You have to submit your presentation to the WbCT under the icon “discussion”. You are asked to comment on at least two presentations. The final mark for the presentation will be based both on the instructor’s and classmates’ evaluations.
Grade Distribution and Due Dates
|
||
|
Activities |
Due Date |
Evaluation % |
|
October 2 |
25 |
|
|
First Assignment |
October 9 |
15 |
|
Second Assignment |
November 27 |
15 |
|
Presentations |
November 27 |
10 |
|
Online Quiz Two |
December 4 |
30 |
|
Online Participation and Riding Ticket |
|
5 |
Grading Scale
|
|
|
90-100 |
A |
|
80-89 |
B |
|
70-79 |
C |
|
60-69 |
D |
|
59 and below |
F |
Ticket to Ride
Each student is awarded a “ticket to ride” at the beginning of the course. This can be applied to one late assignment, OR one absence (to make up for lost participation). If a student does not use the riding ticket (e.g., turns all assignments in on time and has perfect attendance), 5% will be added to the final mark.
ISU Policies
ISU Regulations state:
"Written or other work a student submits in a course must be the product of his/her own efforts: plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited." Cases of suspected copying, cheating, or plagiarism are referred to Student Dispute Office for a University hearing.
Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contact Disability Concerns at 350 Fell Hall, 438-5853 (voice), 438-8620 (TDD).
Required Texts
Vogt, W. P. (2006). Quantitative Research Methods for Professionals. New York:
Pearson Education Inc.
Vogt, W. P. (2005, 3rd Ed). Dictionary of Statistics & Methodology: A Nontechnical
Guide for the Social Sciences. New York: Sage Publications.
NCES (2005). A Profile of the American High School Sophomore in 2002 Initial Results From the Base Year of the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002: Statistical Analysis Report. http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2005/2005338.pdf
Recommended Articles and Books
Babbie, E. R. (2002). The Basics of Social Research (2nd ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth/
Thomson Learning.
Beck, U. (1992). Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity. London: Sage Publication.
(Read “Introduction”, pp.9-16 and Part I – “Living on the Volcano of Civilization: the Contours of the Risk Society”, pp.17-50).