Education Studies 251 - Educational Research Methods

The field of education research tackles complex questions about teaching and learning that require varied methodologies. This course will provide a broad foundation in research methods for Education Studies. Students will learn how to craft a research question and pair it with an appropriate method or mixed-methods, from a range of academic disciplines. Students will be introduced to the epistemological, theoretical, methodological, and practical foundations of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research in education. In doing so, students will interact with a variety of theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches commonly used in education research. Students will also become familiar with the challenges, rewards, standards of rigor, ethical considerations, and responsibilities of doing education research and have opportunities to critique existing education research orally and in writing. This course will prepare students to become savvy and informed consumers of educational research literature. For those considering further undergraduate or graduate work in education research, it will cover key technical skills that will put them on the path to becoming responsible producers of research as well. 

Limited to 20 students. Priority given to Education Studies majors, then sophomores, and first years. 
Spring semester; co-taught by Professors Hemmler and Rosenthal

How to handle overenrollment: Priority given to Education Studies majors, then sophomores, and first years. 

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Statistical and computational work, interviews and observations, group work, written reports, oral presentations, and discussions