Educational Psychology Research Seminar

 

Meeting Time:      4:00 – 6:50 PM Tuesdays

Room:                     Haley Center

Instructor:             Margaret E. Ross

                                4018 Haley Center

                                (334) 844-3084       rossma1@mail.auburn.edu   (the first 1 = one)

Office Hours:        3:00 – 4:00 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays or by appointment

Goal of the Course

This course is designed to provide students with skills needed to conduct a publishable research project. We will focus on applying research knowledge learned in methods and statistics courses through a class research project that contributes to the field of educational psychology. In addition, students will apply research skills through working with an educational psychology professor on a research project and through preparing a dissertation research proposal.

 

Course Objectives

Students will be able to or will apply skills to:

·         Summarize and analyze methods and analysis procedures in published research.

·         Plan and execute a research study, including identifying a topic, planning methods, conducting a literature review, analyzing data, and interpreting and discussing results.

·         Prepare a manuscript for presentation and/or publication.

·         Write a statement of approximately one page outlining research interests.

·         Prepare a job seeking packet that includes a statement of research interests.

·         Begin searching for jobs in the field of educational psychology.

 

Learning Methods

Discussion and application of research skills.

 

Required Resources

                Various assigned readings (journal articles and other handouts)

 

Suggested Resources

                Pedhazur, E. J. & Schmelkin, L. P. (1991). Measurement, Design, and Analysis: An Integrated Approach. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers, Hillsdale, New Jersey.

 

                Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (any recent edition). Washington D.C., American Psychological Association.        

 

Student Assessment

Students will be assessed holistically by the professor on the following components:

  • Attendance, attitude, and participation in class discussions and exercises (20%)*
  • Class research contribution and collaboration (30%)
  • Individual research project progress (20%)
  • Dissertation research proposal (30%)

 

*Note the emphasis on attendance, attitude and participation. Students are expected to attend all class sessions. If an absence is necessary, please contact the professor prior to class and make arrangements to make up work due to the excused absence. Please be aware that more than one excused absence will result in penalizing the attendance portion of the grade.  If more than one absence is unavoidable, the student is expected to provide documentation for the reason and discuss options for completing the course with the instructor.

 

 

 

Late Assignments Policy 

·         Assignments turned in late will receive a 3% reduction in earned points per day.  The only exception will be in the case of emergency.

·         All work must be typed or it will not be graded.  Late penalty will be applied to work completed in writing and then turned in late in typed format for a grade.

 

Incompletes and Withdrawals  

Grades associated with incomplete course work or withdrawal from class will be assigned in strict conformity to University policy (see Auburn University Bulletin).  If you wish to drop this course you may do so by the 10th class day with no grade assignment. From the 10th class day to mid-quarter a W (withdrawn-passing) grade will be recorded in your transcripts. After this period withdrawal from the course will only be granted under unusual circumstances and must be approved by the Dean of the College of Education.

 

Academic Misconduct

The Department of EFLT recognizes university policy regarding academic misconduct. Violations include, but are not limited to: plagiarism, unauthorized assistance during examinations, submitting another’s work product as your own, using another’s words as your own without appropriate citation, sharing unauthorized materials with another that contain questions or answers to examinations, altering or attempting to alter assigned grades. In accordance with University policy regarding academic misconduct, students may be subject to several sanctions upon violations of the Student Academic Honesty Code. See the Tiger Cub publication for the current year for specifics regarding academic misconduct as well as student’s rights and responsibilities associated with the Code.

 

Disability Accommodations

Students who need accommodations are asked to arrange a meeting with me as soon as possible.  If you have a conflict with my office hours, an alternate time can be arranged.  To set up this meeting, please contact me by e-mail.  Bring a copy of your Accommodation Memo and an Instructor Verification Form to the meeting.  If you do not have an Accommodation Memo but need accommodations, make an appointment with The Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, 844-2096.

 


Course Content

(Content may not be presented in the following order. Integration of content outlined below may be advantageous in applying research skills, thus, topics may be discussed when issues arise while conducting research.)

 

Educational Psychology

Research in Educational Psychology (topics, methodologies, journals, ethics and authorship)

Identifying and preparing for a career in educational research and psychology

Career opportunities and the application process (cover letter, research interests, job ads, etc.)

 

Quantitative Research Methods and Design Issues

Definition

Design and sampling

Measurement and data gathering

Analysis

Reporting

 

Qualitative Research Methods and Design Issues

Definition

Design and sampling

Measurement and data gathering

Analysis

Reporting

 

The Dissertation Process

Traditional and Alternative Formats

 

Manuscript Writing and Conference Presentations

Types of manuscripts and presentations

Type of journal

Organization of manuscript and/or presentation

APA editorial style and wording issues

Manuscript preparation and submission

Editorial review