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This course provides a comprehensive introduction to educational research, covering various topics and preparing students for advanced study. Designed for both consumers and producers of educational research, it requires no prerequisites. The course includes hands-on experience with research articles, data analysis using Stata software, and opportunities to engage in group work and discussions. Students can choose between formal assignments or conducting small-scale research projects. Final assignments are due on December 9. Join us for an interactive, engaging learning experience!
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S-005Introduction to Educational Research Fall 2011-2012 Harvard Graduate School of Education
Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 -10:00am • Larsen 106 • Terrence Tivnan • Larsen Hall 415 • tivnante@gse.harvard.edu
Provides an introduction • No prerequisites • Covers a wide range of topics • Prepares you for more in-depth study later • Useful for consumers and producers of research in education
Johnson, B. and Christensen, L. (2008). Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches, Third edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. • Ary, D., Jacobs, L.C., & Sorensen, C. (2010) Introduction to Research in Education, 8th edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. • Nicol, A. A. & Pexman, P. M. (1999). Presenting your findings: A practical guide for creating tables. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
No course package • I’ll provide handouts in class • Several research journal articles for in-class discussion • Handouts will also be posted on the course website
Stata software • Available on machines throughout GSE • Runs on Mac and Windows-based machines • Easy to get started. Great with advanced features. • Similar features to many other packages • SPSS • SAS • Minitab • Used in advanced courses here at GSE • Acock, A. (2008) A gentle introduction to Stata, Second edition. College Station, TX: Stata Press.
Weekly office hours schedule available soon • Scheduled throughout the week • We will assign you to a TF who will keep track of your assignments, checking them in and returning them to you • TFs are very helpful resources!
All regular class sessions will be recorded and made available via the course website • This is a great resource
We will have clickers available to pick up at the beginning of class • I ask questions (via Power Point slides) • You can select your answer • We see a graph of the results • A way to make the class a bit more interactive • A way to get feedback • For students • For me
All students will complete several required exercises at the beginning of the semester • Then you have a choice: • Several additional formal assignments -- OR -- • Carrying out a small-scale research project • Letter grade or the SAT/No credit option
Three (or is it four?) formal assignments • Journal article critique • Issues in data collection • Data analysis (some practice using Stata) • Reporting statistical results • OK to work together in study groups • More weight on later assignments
OK to work together • OK to combine with another course project (must get permission from both instructors) • Qualitative or quantitative projects • One-page project idea in a couple of weeks • Meet to discuss • Detailed proposal in mid October • We will look at the guidelines for the Committee on Human Subjects at Harvard • Data collection • Data analysis (using Stata if possible) • Final research report • Due December 11
You have a choice of taking course for a letter grade or taking the SAT/No credit option (pass/fail) • Choose when signing up • Must stick with your choice
Types of research • Basic principles / planning • Sampling • Research design • Reliability and validity (data quality) • Strategies for data collection • Tests and measurement • Questionnaires and interviews • Observations • Strategies for data analysis • Preparing a data set for analysis • Statistical techniques • Presenting and reporting results
Final regular class on December 1 • Final assignments/research reports due on December 9