EDU 794: Quantitative Research

Credit Hours: 3

Estimated Hours Per Week: 20

Overview

Quantitative research methods are essential research and inquiry methods skills. A thorough understanding of the research process assists students to address current issues in education, to identify and solve problems, to advance knowledge, and to test theories. The course focuses on quantitative techniques of inquiry that pertain to education research and policy.

Students learn and practice the analytical skills necessary to become critical consumers of education research. To establish credibility as a researcher, students review and critique current research in the field as well as develop a thorough, synthesized literature review.

Students develop competency in the research process, including the development of a rationale and a hypothesis, developing a research question and research design (correlational, causal-comparative, experimental, survey), developing and administering instruments, analyzing research results, determining validity and reliability, and presenting results. Students become confident and competent quantitative researchers/evaluators by experiencing a variety of quantitative data designs and analytic/presentation techniques.

Throughout this course, students learn and practice practical skills to develop each phase of the research project. Students work with classmates to evaluate their own work. In the final project, students demonstrate their ability to conduct and evaluate doctoral-level research.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Understand how quantitative research can be used to address problems and needs that develop in the practice of education.
Demonstrate an understanding of research terminology.
Describe and demonstrate an understanding of the differences between dependent and independent variables.
Understand and practice the ethical principles surrounding quantitative research, including those related to human subject/participant research.
Develop a thorough review of relevant literature and present a synthesized review based on a research question in the field of the student’s choice, including the significance of the studies, the reliability of the methodology employed, and the validity of the analysis presented, also noting any gaps in the literature.
Compare non-experimental, quasi-experimental, mixed-method, and experimental research.
Describe and determine the correct use of different sampling techniques to answer a research question.
Demonstrate an understanding of how to identify and control threats to the internal and external validity of a research project.
Understand and use measuring techniques to design data collection tools.
Analyze data using statistical procedures such as t-test, chi square, descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and correlation. Understand and use the statistical technological software tools used by education researchers.
Develop a comprehensive, significant research study by: Identifying a research problem and hypothesis, reviewing the literature, developing a research question, developing an appropriate quantitative design to answer the research question, selecting a sample, developing and administering instrumentation, coding and analyzing data collected, and developing meaning from the results.
Become discriminating consumers of quantitative research, including the ability to identify biases and assumptions.

ENROLLMENT

To enroll in this course, please complete the online application.

Required Texts
EDU 794 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore