INVESTIGATIVE STRATEGIES

Lead Instructor: Leasha M. Barry, PhD, BCBA-D
                        Building 85, Room 189
                        850-857-6195
                        Lbarry@uwf.edu  (preferred method of contact)

Instructor: Trudi Gaines, EdD, LMHC
                        Building 85, Room 176
                        850-474-2948
                        Tgaines@uwf.edu  (preferred method of contact)

Course Description: EDG 5366 Investigative strategies is designed for graduate students in Teacher Education. Students will examine the empirical foundations of teacher education, investigative strategies, and data sources used to study issues in teacher education. Students will begin to identify potential areas of research in their program of study.

Prerequisites: None

Major Topics:

Topic 1: Identifying a Research Problem and Finding Literature

Topic 2: The Research Process and Approaches to Research

Topic 3: Investigative Strategies

Topic 4: Measurement, Sampling, & Reliability

Topic 5: Validity

Topic 6: Introduction to Hypothesis Testing

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify problems or questions that can be addressed using investigative strategies.

2.  Search data bases in the library & on-line for literature relevant to topics or methods.

3. Identify the major steps in the research process and be able to identify what each step contributes and why it is important.

4.  Identify investigative strategies that might be used to address a particular research question. 

5.  Identify and discuss the concepts of measurement, sampling, reliability, and validity with classmates when prompted with an empirically based journal article.

6.  Identify and explain the meaning of null and alternative hypotheses and will be able to extrapolate the null and alternative hypotheses if given a research question.

7.  Complete the training for researchers: Human Participant Protections Education for Research Teams (training provided by the National Cancer Institute [NCI] and/or National Institute of Health [NIH]), obtaining researcher certification.

Purpose of Course:

The "empowered person and professional making a difference" is the theme of the College of Professional Studies' conceptual framework. This theme focuses learning experiences on activities that permit the teacher to examine what he/she does and to take an active role in the instructional process. The subject matter, class activities, and skill development of this course were selected to assist your personal growth in the following EPP taking action characteristics: a) critical thinker, b) lifelong learner, c) counselor/mentor, d) decision maker, e) problem solver, and f) ethical/moral professional.

The State of Florida has responded to national and state initiatives in education reform and accountability by creating legislative policies relative to the preparation of teachers. Florida's Accomplished Practices, Sunshine State Standards, and Curriculum Frameworks outline the skills, abilities, and knowledge-base that teachers and students require to be successful in Florida's educational system. Within diverse learning environments, teachers require skills in and knowledge of classroom management techniques.
               Course Alignments by Assessments, Outcomes, and Standards

Goals: 

Ø To prepare students to meet portions of the Accomplished Practices mandated by the State of Florida: (http://www.firn.edu/doe/dpe/publications/accomplished4-99.pdf). [Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to open this file.

Required Course Texts:

1. Parsons, R. D., & Brown, K. S. (2002). Teacher as Reflective Practitioner and Action Researcher: ISBN: 0534557112

2. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 6th Edition (2009). APA.

3. TK20 Software Program (available through the UWF bookstore or directly from the vendor by going to the website uwf.tk20.com [see bottom left of that screen]).

Course Requirements and Grading:

You are expected to complete all requirements of this course on time.

1) Participation in Weekly Assignments and Lessons (25%) 

Most weeks have assignments and activities that accompany the weekly lessons. Participation in these activities will be rewarded with participation points that will be calculated to contribute to your overall grade for the course. 

3) Key Assignment:
     
 Institution Review Board Online Training for Researchers (5%) 

The Institution Review Board Online Training for Researchers is mandatory for passing this class. If you do it, you will receive 5 points.
If you do not complete the training and submit the certificate, you will not pass this course.

6) Midterm Exam (35%) (graded in eLearning)

7) Final Exam (35%) (graded in eLearning)

NOTE: For test security purposes, you will be required to logon during a specified window of time for your Midterm and Final Exam that I will determine and THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS to this time. 

Assignment specifications and grading criteria will be distributed on-line.

Grades will be assigned using the following scale:

A 95% - 100%

A- 91% - 94.9%

B+ 88% - 90.9%

B 84% - 87.9%

B- 81% - 83.9%

C+ 78% - 80.9%

C 74% - 77.9%

C- 71% - 73.9%

D+ 68% - 70.9%

D 64% - 67.9%

F 0% - 63.9%

Late Assignments

Your participation grade will suffer if you continually post to threads late or complete weekly assignments late. Points will be deducted for each item that is turned in late. In relation to other assignments (i.e., papers, tests, etc.), my late policy is this: For every day the assignment is late I take off 10% of the total possible points for that assignment. For example, if an assignment is worth 100 points and you turn it in 1 day late, the most points you can receive is 90. If you turn it in 3 days late, the most you can receive is 70. After 10 days, your assignment is worth 0 points so there is no reason for you to turn it in. If you have any questions about this policy please let me know. I am generally a pretty understanding person so it would behoove you to contact me BEFORE the DUE DATE if you know something will be late to receive an approved extension. If an extension is approved by me then the late charges do not apply. The bottom line here is keep me informed!

Special Technology utilized by Students:

Students will need access to Adobe Acrobat Reader© (version 5 or higher) to open PDF files that are used during the course.

Students will need access to word processing software that is capable of reading and saving DOC or RTF files.

Students will need regular, reliable access to an Internet browser that has JavaScript enabled.

Students must be able to complete online forms to participate in threaded discussions.

Students will need regular, reliable access to a computer that supports the eLearning system.

University Policies

Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy: As members of the University of West Florida, we commit ourselves to honesty.  As we strive for excellence in performance, integrity - personal and institutional - is our most precious asset. Honesty in our academic work is vital, and we will not knowingly act in ways which erode that integrity.  Accordingly, we pledge not to cheat, nor to tolerate cheating, nor to plagiarize the work of others.  We pledge to share community resources in ways that are responsible and that comply with established policies of fairness.  Cooperation and competition are means to high achievement and are encouraged.  Indeed, cooperation is expected unless our directive is to individual performance.  We will compete constructively and professionally for the purpose of stimulating high performance standards.  Finally, we accept adherence to this set of expectations for academic conduct as a condition of membership in the UWF academic community.

The Student Code of Conduct sets forth the rules, regulations and expected behavior of students enrolled at the University of West Florida.  Violations of any rules, regulations, or behavioral expectations may result in a charge of violating the Student Code of Conduct.  It is the student’s responsibility to read the Student Code of Conduct and conduct himself/herself accordingly.  You may access the current Student Code of Conduct at http://www.uwf.edu/judicialaffairs.

Assistance:  Students with special needs who require specific examination-related or other course-related accommodations should contact Ms. Vannee Cao-Nguyen, Assistant Director, Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) sdrc@uwf.edu  (850) 474-2387. SDRC will provide the student with a letter for the instructor that will specify any recommended accommodations.