I. ADM 630: Methods of Educational ResearchMurray State University / Department of Educational Studies, Leadership and CounselingI. ADM 630: Methods of Educational Research II. Catalog Description: A study of procedures used to locate sources of information, organize and interpret collected data, and apply results of published research. Various research methods are studied and used.III. Purpose of Course: This course is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of the research process through the completion of a mini-research project. IV. Course Objectives:The objectives stated below are referenced to the ISLLC Standards required of administrators in the state of Kentucky. As a result of participation in the course, the students will:a. analyze research in order to become a knowledgeable consumer of and reflective decision-maker about research for educational policy and classroom purposes (ISLLCStandards 1,2,4,5; KY Experienced Teachers Standard 7);b. develop a research paper in the style, organization, and syntax customary for graduate level research (ISLLC Standards 1,2,5; KY Experienced Teachers Standard 1);c. conduct a literature review on a topic of importance to the student that addresses an educational problem or practice based on an appropriate theoretical framework (ISLLC Standards 1,2,5);d. develop a research methodology to address a specific educational problem or practice that is designed to solve a local problem selected by the student (ISLLC Standards 1,2,3,4,5,6; KY Experienced Teachers Standard 2); e. review and follow ethical guidelines for conducting research provided by the MSU Internal Review Board (ISLLC Standards 5); f. interpret research vocabulary and concepts related to research methods and design, sampling, measurement, and statistics (ISLLC Standard 1).V. Content Outline/Course Activities: Students will investigate a research topic of their choice by formulating a research question, conduct a literature review, design a research project, and analyze data, and present results. The student’s developing knowledge and research skills will be monitored with weekly quizzes. VI. Instructional Activities: Instructional methods will include a mixture of direct instruction and group activities. By reading and reviewing research, students will refine their abilities to identify the elements of research and to evaluate research. Skills relative to interpreting research will be applicable to other educational and social areas (ISLLC Standards 1,2,3,4,5,6).VII. Field and Clinical Experiences: Each student will use own classroom/school/or district as a laboratory to gather and analyze data.VIII. Resources: Internet and university libraries.IX. Grading Procedures: Determined by instructor.Grading Scale:Determined by instructor.X. Attendance Policy: Please approach class attendance in a professional manner. It is recognized that professional and personal responsibilities might cause an absence from class. However, it is required that students contact the instructor prior to the absence for it to be excused. Frequent absences or unexcused absences will result in poor performance and low course results.XI. Academic Honesty Policy: Cheating, plagiarism (submitting another person’s material as one’s own), or doing work for another person are all impermissible. This includes the useof unauthorized books, notebooks, or other sources in order to secure or give help during examination, the unauthorized copying of examinations, assignments, reports, or term papers, or the presentation of unacknowledged material as if it were the student’s own work. Disciplinary action may be taken beyond the academic discipline administered by the faculty who teaches the courses in which the cheating took place.XII. Required Texts:Patten, M.L. (2002). Understanding research methods. Los Angeles: Pyrczak.Lyne, L.S. (1999). A cross section of educational research. Los Angeles: Pyrczak.Suggested – Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th Ed.) XIII. Prerequisites: