Week 1: Beginning research - Where to start?
As you begin exploring the various research tools covered in this course, it will be valuable to begin
considering a topic or topics that you would like to focus on for your dissertation. Your first thought
might be "I have no idea! Do I really need one at this point?" First, don't panic! No one expects you to
have a fully-fledged topic selected at this point, but it can be valuable to be thinking of exploring certain
areas in your assignments for this class to help in finding a research problem.
Review the Assessing Your Topics checklist
Download Assessing Your Topics checklist
(p. 2) from Joyner, Rouse, and Glatthorn (2013) and complete the table for 3 potential topics. I've
provided a copy of the template below for you to copy and paste into your initial response. Your table
can include only the numeric results, but share a reflection below that on your thoughts at this point as
well.
Please complete an initial post by Thursday at 11:59PM and respond to at least two classmates by
Sunday at 11:59PM.
● Initial Posting: Answer the prompt above, while also providing a reflection on the results.
Any surprises or key takeaways?
● Responses: Respond with follow-up questions, suggestions for areas of further topic
exploration, or other resources related to the ideas of your classmates.
Template:
Criteria Topic 1: Give Topic 2: Give Topic 3: Give
description here description here description here
Professional
significance
Continuing
professional interest
Personal interest
Career advancement
Knowledge,
experience, skills
Likely support
Time required
Accessibility
Total Score
CODE: 5, excellent; 4, very good; 3, good; 2, fair; 1, poor
Joyner, R. L., Rouse, W. A., & Glatthorn, A. A. (2013). Writing the winning thesis or dissertation: A step-by-
step guide. Corwin press.
Week 2: Relevant searches related to your topic
While conducting academic searches, popular search locations and strategies are not always effective
areas and methods to conduct these searches. There has to be a focus on search terms to lead to the
best results. Choose your key terms, build the refiners into your search, evaluate the results for
relevance, edit the search with new key terms and continue your search.
This week, as you focus in on a topic, your goal is to find three articles related to the topic of interest.
While each article should be centered around the same topic, you will need to find 1 empirical study
using a quantitative approach, 1 using a qualitative approach, and 1 using mixed methods.
After following the steps above, answer the following prompts:
1. Share the 3 articles you found related to your potential topic and using the different
methodologies. What was your strategy for finding a specific methodology in your search?
2. Briefly describe differences you noticed as a result of the methodology used. What differed in
the data collection and analysis? How were the findings impacted by the methodology used?
3. What questions has exploring the different methodologies raised? What elements might
need more clarification related to the methodologies we use in research?
Please complete an initial post by Thursday at 11:59PM and respond to at least two classmates by
Sunday at 11:59PM.
● Initial Posting: Answer the prompts with reference to the week's learning materials.
● Responses: Respond with follow-up questions, personal experiences, or other resources
related to the ideas of your classmates.
Reply
Week 5: Ethical research approaches
In our readings this week within Creswell & Creswell (2017), much of our focus was on ethical
considerations within the writing process.
In considering these principles, our Christian ethic of care, and your own experiences, consider the
following prompts for our discussion this week:
1. Considering the ethical considerations discussed, what challenges do you see in your role as
both educator and researcher? How will you approach those challenges in ethical and Christ-
like ways?
2. Bias is an element that is a significant consideration in approaching research studies. Is all
bias negative? How do we handle our biases when conducting research?
Please complete an initial post by Thursday at 11:59PM and respond to at least two classmates by
Sunday at 11:59PM.
Week 6: Quantitative Research Tools
This week we have been looking at quantitative approaches and specifically looking at using Excel to
perform functions of statistical analysis.
In this week's discussion, you are going to become an expert on a single statistical method. As an
individual or in a group, you will select a particular function and your goal will be to do the following:
1. Provide an overview of why you would use the particular function (what does it do, what can
it tell us, when would we use it?). Feel free to point us towards videos or other resources,
provided you give proper citation.
2. Provide a resource for how to perform the function using the Excel Data Analysis ToolPak.
Again, this can be a video or other resource.
3. Share how the function might be used in your own study.
With the Thanksgiving holiday, here is a suggested revised schedule: Post on Tuesday at 11:59PM and
respond to at least two classmates by next Monday at 11:59PM.
Similar to Week 4, we want to have all topics covered so please use the following to guide
● Claiming Your Tool: Post with your group member names and selected Topic #. We want to
ensure all topics are covered, so all topics must be selected at least once before another
group/individual selects it again. Be sure to check that a topic has not been selected already
before choosing.
● Initial Posting: Answer the prompts with reference to the week's learning materials.
● Responses: Respond with follow-up questions for our experts, share other tools or systems
you are using, or other resources related to the ideas of your classmates.
Topics:
● Topic 1: Anova (Single Factor)
● Topic 2: Correlation
● Topic 3: F-Test
● Topic 4: t-Test
● Topic 5: Regression
Week 7: Qualitative Research Tools
In this week's discussion, we are looking at tools for use in qualitative research.
To help us explore qualitative research at a very exploratory level, respond to the following prompts:
1. Share an article that you found through your search that used a qualitative research
methodology. Give us a brief overview of the methodology:
1. Was there a specific research design mentioned (e.g. case study, ethnography,
grounded theory)? How did the researcher(s) collect and analyze data?
2. Did the study mention any specific tools? If so, give us details of the tools
mentioned. If not, investigate one of the tools mentioned in the module or through
your own research. What is the tool and how is it used to collect data or analysis?
Please complete an initial post by Thursday at 11:59PM and respond to at least two classmates by
Sunday at 11:59PM.
● Initial Posting: Answer the prompts with reference to the week's learning materials.
● Responses: Respond with follow-up questions, personal experiences, or other resources
related to the ideas of your classmates.
Discussion Rubric (1)
Criteria Ratings Pts
4 pts
This
criterion is
4 pts 3 pts 2 pts 1 pts 0 pts
linked to a
Learning
Consistently Responds to Responds to Does not No
Outcome responds to most most postings respond to Marks
postings in less postings several days most
Promptness than 24 hours; within a 24 after initial postings;
and demonstrates hour period; discussion; rarely
Initiative good self- requires limited participates
initiative occasional initiative freely.
prompting to
post
4 pts
This
criterion is
4 pts 3 pts 2 pts 1 pts 0 pts
linked to a
Learning
Consistently Few Errors in Utilizes No
Outcome uses grammatical spelling and poor Marks
grammatically or spelling grammar spelling and
Delivery of correct posts errors are evidenced grammar in
Post with rare noted in posts in several most posts;
misspelling and and expresses posts posts
expresses concept in one appear
concept in one or paragraph "hasty" with
more paragraphs only one or
two
sentences
4 pts
This
criterion is
4 pts 3 pts 2 pts 1 pts 0 pts
linked to a
Learning
Consistently Frequently Occasionally Posted topics No
Outcome posts topics posts and posts on topic do not relate Marks
related to topics are (1 post and 2 to the
Relevance discussion related to the comments); the discussion or
of Post topic ; ( more discussion posts are short comments;
than 1 post and (more than 2 in length and makes short
2 comments) comments), provide not or irrelevant
cites additional content, and further insight remarks
references prompts into the topic
related to further
topic discussion of
topic
4 pts
This
criterion is
4 pts 3 pts 2 pts 1 pts 0 pts
linked to a
Learning Expresses Opinions and Unclear Does not No
Outcome opinions and ideas are connection to express Marks
ideas in a stately topic opinions
Expression clear and clearly with evidenced in or ideas
concise occasional minimal clearly
Within the
manner with lack of expression of
Post obvious connection to opinions or
connection to topic ideas
topic
4 pts
This
criterion is
4 pts 3 pts 2 pts 1 pts 0 pts
linked to a
Learning
Aware of Frequently Occasionally Does not No
Outcome needs of attempts to makes make effort Marks
community; direct the meaningful to participate
Contributio frequently discussion and reflection on in learning
n to the attempts to to present group’s efforts; community
Learning motivate the relevant marginal effort as it
group viewpoints for to become develops;
Community discussion; consideration by involved with seems
presents group; interacts group indifferent
creative freely
approaches to
topic
Total Points: 20
