EDUCATION 690 PROCEDURES OF INVESTIGATION AND REPORT SPRING, 2003 (SCHED.#12331) Wednesday, 7:00 - 9:40 p.m.,, Interwork Institute #221, 3590 Camino Del Rio North professor: Ron Jacobs phone: office: (619) 594-1571 or 594-6406 (619) 594-0991 rjacobs@mail.sdsu.edu http:/www.interwork.sdsu.cdu 3590 Camino Del Rio North, #106 office hours: Tuesday; 2:30 - 5:00 & Thurs; 1:00 ~ 3:30 Purpose of this Course The purpose of this course is to provide working knowledge of the skills required to conduct investigations pertaining to education and human service delivery programs. Knowledge derived from this cou arse will prepare each student to be: (1) a critical consumer of research and evaluation information, and (2) a beginning practitioner in conducting these investigative efforts, Objectives The students, upon completion of this course, will: (1) Understand the Scientific Method, probability theory, statistical analysis, and its relationship to the interpretation of findings of investigations (chapters 1, 2, 3 & 5); 2) Understand basic research designs and procedures used to conduct investigations (chapter 10); (3) Be able to conduct an organized literature review of a given topic as well as be able to construct an annotated bibliography targeting an area of one's academic and career interest (chapter 4 & syllabus attachment ); (4) Understand descriptive and inferential statistical measures as well as statistical measures of relationship and difference (chapters 6 & 7); ()__Be able to construct basic instruments to define, record and quantify expressed attitudes and opinions as well as techniques used to define, observe, and quantify aspects of human behavior (chapter 8 & 9); (©) Understand strategies and designs used in program evaluation and qualitative research as well as understand the differences between program evaluation, quantitative and qualitative approaches to research (videos provided by instructor and selected readings from chaps. 11 - 17); (7) Be familiar with computer applications such as "STATVIEW", "SPSS" and "EXCEL" to enter, manipulate, display and analyze research and data (classtoom demonstrations and optional “hands-on” experiences); (8) Be able to critically evaluate published investigations to determine the quality of overall methodology employed and objectivity of conclusions drawn. Be able to make appropriate ichoices regarding overall methodology and conclusions when conducting such investigations (classroom demonstrations, videos and selected readings from chapters 11 - 17), Readings Text: Ary, Jacobs, and Razavich, “Introduction to Research in Education,” 6th Edition. 1 strongly recommend use of the 6th edition instead of carlier editions. The 6" edition has greatly expanded coverage of qualitative methodology. Also, several points that were not well addressed in earlier editions have been greatly clarified. In this course, you will be responsible for the material in chapters 1 ~ 10, Reference will also be made to chaps. L1 - 17. Students who will be developing formal proposals and conducting investigations in other courses (which generally means just about everybody) will find these other chapters to be very valuable guides, especially chaps. 16 & 17. This text is definitely a ‘keeper’ and will likely serve you through at least 3 courses. During classroom lectures frequent reference will be made to the text. For this reason you should bring it fo each class session! There will be occasional references to pages in the text from chapters 11-17. This is another reason why it is imperative to bring the text to class. Rather than have you purchase @ packet of handout materials, 1 will make them available to you electronically. You will find it essential to utilize the web and e-mail to access course materials. Please plan accordingly. You should be prepared to provide me with an email address immediately after the first evening’s lecture. About This Cours It will quickly become apparent to you that this course is not an exercise in higher forms of mathematics and computer programming. It is a structured experience designed to give you the necessary knowledge and skills to identify, define and investigate the issues pertinent to your profession and ficld of study. ‘This course therefore provides an excellent "springboard" opportunity for stucents who conduct investigations related t0 seminar courses, thesis projects, program evaluations, and manuscripts for publication in professional journals, Students will be encouraged to identify and define these issues as part of this course. COURSE EVALUATION Your grade will be based on the cumulative points you eam on 3 multiple-choice quizzes and the “Annotated Bibliography” assignment, Each quiz is worth 25 points and the Annotated Bibliography is worth 25 points. Grades are assigned according to these cumulative point values: A 92-100 points C 72-77 points A- 90-91 points C- 70-71 points B+ — 88-89 points D+ 68-69 points B 82-87 points D 62-67 points B- 80-81 points D- 60-61 points Ct 78-79 points F 0-59 points ‘Students will be permitted to bring ONE 3"X 5" card to EACH quiz for reference, Students will NOT be permitted to reference other sources during quiz periods, More information pertaining to each of the quizzes and the Annotated Bibliography assignment will be covered during class lectures. Practice exercises will be transmitted electronically at the completion of each unit of instruction. ‘These practice exercises will provide considerable structure and guidance for quiz preparation, Attached to this syllabus is a set of directions for completing the annotated abibliography assignment as well es an example of a finished product. Get an early start on identifying a topic for your annotated bibliography. ‘There is great benefit in tying the “Annotated Bibliography” topic to other coursework and your primary area of academic/career interest. Students are encouraged to utilize my availability during office hours as well as by email to get clarification and assistance. When contacting me by phone or email, please be patient regarding the turnaround time of my response, There are lots of you and only one of me.