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COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Information

DSRT839 - M40 Advanced Research Methods

Fall 2020 Full Term

Course Format: Hybrid

CRN: 10150

Class Time and Location: F 08:00 AM - 10:00 PM

 

Instructor Information

Name: Jessica Schwartz

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 8005551234

Office Location: online only

Office Hours/Preferred Contact Times: as requested

Course Description

The course is designed to provide doctoral students with an in-depth analysis of the

methods and procedures of research used in the various subfields of education. Topics

include conceptualizing research designs, writing research proposals, constructing

measurement instruments, collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data,

and drawing inferences. Special attention is given to making sound decisions regarding

the selection of appropriate designs and methods for investigating research questions.

The student will develop a proposal that will, upon approval of the student’s advisor and

program director, serve as the first three chapters of student’s dissertation.

Prerequisites: DSRT 734, 837 and 736.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course:

Students will write a rationale and introduction for a dissertation proposal which

must be based on a topic or problem related to business, information

technology, education, or leadership.

Students will construct a substantial literature review on a topic or problem

related to business, information technology, education, or leadership.

Students will design and write an appropriate methods chapter for a dissertation

proposal.

Students will successfully obtain approval from the course instructor and his/her

advisor for a three-chapter dissertation proposal.

Students will prepare a letter for the Institutional Research Board as well as a

Letter of Consent.

Learner Outcomes

Complete Dissertation Manual Chapter 1 (Introduction)

Complete Dissertation Manual Chapter 3 (Methodology)

Pass COMPS exam

Start IRB review process

Course Website

Access to the course website is required via the iLearn portal on the University of the

Cumberlands website: http://www.ucumberlands.edu/ilearn/ 

or https://ucumberlands.blackboard.com/

Required Books and Resources

Title: Writing a Successful Thesis Or Dissertation

ISBN: 9781412942256

Authors: Fred C. Lunenburg, Beverly J. Irby

Publisher: Corwin Press

Publication Date: 2008-01-01

Title: Publication Manual of the American Psychological

Association

ISBN: 9781433832178

Authors: American Psychological Association

Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)

Publication Date: 2019-10-01

Title: Exploring Statistics

ISBN: 9780996339223

Authors: Chris Spatz

Publication Date: 2019-01-01

Course Required text can be found and purchased via the UC Barnes and Noble

Bookstore: https://cumber.bncollege.com/shop/cumberlands/page/find-textbooks

Requirements and Policies

Academic Integrity/Plagiarism

At a Christian liberal arts university committed to the pursuit of truth and

understanding, any act of academic dishonesty is especially distressing and cannot be

tolerated. In general, academic dishonesty involves the abuse and misuse of

information or people to gain an undeserved academic advantage or evaluation. The

common forms of academic dishonesty include:

Cheating – using deception in the taking of tests or the preparation of written

work, using unauthorized materials, copying another person’s work with or without

consent, or assisting another in such activities.

Lying – falsifying, fabricating, or forging information in either written, spoken, or

video presentations.

Plagiarism—using the published writings, data, interpretations, or ideas of another

without proper documentation

Plagiarism includes copying and pasting material from the internet into

assignments without properly citing the source of the material.

Episodes of academic dishonesty are reported to the Vice President for Academic

Affairs. The potential penalty for academic dishonesty includes a failing grade on a

particular assignment, a failing grade for the entire course, or charges against the

student with the appropriate disciplinary body.

Participation Policy

Study after study has linked successful academic performance with good class

participation. Those who assume positions of responsibility must “show up” in

order to be effective. Therefore, students are expected to actively participate in an

intelligent discussion of assigned topics in all areas (Discussion Board Activities,

Synchronous Sessions, Forums, Shared Papers, etc.) to help process course

material and/or to demonstrate an understanding of course content. Point

adjustments will be taken for non-participation.

Disability Accommodations

University of the Cumberlands accepts students with certified disabilities and provides

reasonable accommodations for their certified needs in the classroom, in housing, in

food service or in other areas. For accommodations to be awarded, a student must

submit a completed Accommodations Application form and provide documentation of

the disability to the Disability Services Coordinator (Mr. Jacob Ratliff, Boswell Campus

Center, Student Services Office Suite, [email protected]). When all

paperwork is on file, a meeting between the student and the Coordinator will be

arranged to discuss possible accommodations before accommodations are formally

approved. Students must then meet with the Coordinator at the beginning of each

semester before any academic accommodations can be certified for that term.

Certifications for other accommodations are normally reviewed annually.

Academic Appeal

Both undergraduate and graduate students have the right to challenge a grade. If

discussions with the course instructor and department chair do not lead to a satisfactory

conclusion, students may file a formal written appeal with the Vice President for

Academic Affairs, who will forward the appeal to the chair of the Academic Appeals

Committee. This formal written appeal must be filed by the end of the 4th week of

classes in the next regular term following the term in which the course in question was

taken. The Academic Appeals Committee then gathers information from the student, the

instructor, and any other relevant parties. The Committee will deliver its

recommendation on the complaint to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. After

reviewing this recommendation and concurring or amending it, the Vice President for

Academic Affairs will inform the student and instructor of the disposition of the

complaint no later than the last day of classes of the term in which the complaint was

filed. Records of all actions regarding academic grade appeals, including their final

disposition, are maintained by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Academic

Appeals Committee. (Undergraduate Catalog/Graduate Catalog)

Student Responsibilities

Students should: 

Use University of the Cumberlands email system for all academic, administrative,

and co-curricular communication between faculty, staff and peers. 

Check for email and class announcements using iLearn (primary) and University of

the Cumberlands webmail (secondary) daily. 

Demonstrate Cumberlands Character in and outside the classroom per the

University Mission & Vision

Ensure you have consistent required technology for the course

Participate in courses regularly to:

Find announcements and updates

Complete assignments on time. Keep in mind that all deadlines use Eastern

Standard Time (EST).

Engage in discussion

Connect with fellow students and faculty

Present written work in an academic and professional manner.

Take examinations on the designated dates and times. Students should make

arrangements with faculty before the designated date for any needed

accommodations. 

Contact faculty or student success coordinator with questions or concerns.

Course Policies

The only authorized electronic means of academic, administrative, and co-

curricular communication between University of the Cumberlands and its

students is through the UCumberlands email system (i.e. Webmail). Each

student is responsible for monitoring his/her University email account

frequently. This is the primary email account used to correspond with you

directly by the University; imperative program information is sent to this

email account specifically from campus and program office. 

Students should check for e-mail and class announcements using iLearn

(primary) and University of the Cumberlands webmail (secondary).

Students are expected to find out class assignments for missed classes and

make up missed work.

Students are expected to find out if any changes have been made in the

class or assignment schedule.

All assignments, unless otherwise instructed, should be submitted in APA

format.

Written work must be presented in a professional manner. Work that is not

 submitted in a professional manner will not be evaluated and will be

returned as unacceptable.

There is a craft to writing. Spelling, grammar, punctuation, and diction (word

usage) are all tools of that craft. Writing at the collegiate level will show

careful attention to these elements of craft. Work that does not exhibit care

with regard to these elements will be considered as inadequate for college

writing and graded accordingly. 

Students are expected to take the examinations on the designated dates. If

you are unable to take the exam on the scheduled date and know in

advance, you are to make arrangements with your professor before the

designated date. If you miss the exam, you must have a legitimate reason as

determined by your professor. 

Recognizing that a large part of professional life is meeting deadlines, it is

necessary to develop time management and organizational skills. Failure to meet

the course deadlines may result in penalties. Keep in mind that all deadlines are

set using Eastern Standard Time (EST). Late assignments will NOT be

accepted.

Course Activities and Experiences

Chapter 1 - Residency Activity worth 60%

Chapter 3 - to be completed in 2nd half of the course

COMPS exam - this is a pass/fail activity done outside of this course but must be

completed in order to move to DSRT930 in January 2021

IRB Approval - we will work on this together at the end of DSRT839

Residency Activities (60% of the grade - which will be a completion of chapter 1)

Links to Support

UC Academic Catalog: https://www.ucumberlands.edu/academics/academic-catalog

UC Student Handbook: https://www.ucumberlands.edu/student-handbook

Academic Resources & Writing Center: www.ucumberlands.edu/learningcommons

Library: http://www.ucumberlands.edu/library/ 

Bookstore: https://cumber.bncollege.com/shop/cumberlands/home

About University of the Cumberlands:

https://www.ucumberlands.edu/about/presidents-welcome

Course Evaluation

You must complete chapter 1 worth 60% for residency weekend. Chapter 3 must also be

completed by the end of the term in order to pass the course. There will be other

activities to complete as well to gauge your understanding of the concepts needed to

complete chapters 1 and 3. See course schedule for more information.

Additionally, you must pass COMPS to complete this course. COMPS is scheduled and

graded separately from DSRT839.

Grading Scale

A: 90% - 100%

B: 80% - 89%

C: 70% - 79%

F: 69% or Below

Course Schedule

Week Weekly Topic Reading Assignment Due**

#1 Research Approach  Ch. 1 Introductions

Week 1 Discussion

#2 Review of Literature

*Schedule COMPS exam!

Ch 2 Week 2 Discussion

#3 Theory, Writing Strategies and

Ethical Consideration

Ch. 3 Homework Assignment 1:

Chapter 1 outline

#4 Theory, Writing Strategies and

Ethical Consideration

Ch 4 Week 4 Discussion

#5 The Introduction Ch. 5 Get ready for residency and

continue working on

chapter 1

#6 The Purpose Statement

**RESIDENCY** Ch. 6

Homework Assignment 2:

Chapter 1 Draft

#7 Research

Questions and Hypotheses

Ch. 7 Week 7 Discussion

#8 Research

Questions and Hypotheses

Ch. 7 Week 8 Discussion

#9 Quantitative Design Procedures Ch. 8

Chapter 1 Final Submission

#10 Qualitative Design Procedures Ch. 9 Week 10 Discussion

#11 Qualitative vs Quantitative Homework Assignment 4:

Methodology Outline

(Chapter 3)

#12 Mixed Methods Procedures Ch. 10 Week 12 Discussion

#13 Chapter 3  Homework Assignment 5:

Methodology Draft (Chapter

3)

#14 Review Feedback Review Feedback/work on

Chapter 3 updates

#15 Course Review Chapter 3 Final Submission

#16 Final Submission  Also work on

IRB approval

Chapters 1-3 Submitted

together

Syllabus Disclaimer

This syllabus contains important information critical to your success in this course. It

includes guidelines for this course and the instructor’s current expectations about

content, schedule, and requirements necessary for each student to achieve the best

educational results. While you must review and become familiar with the contents of

this syllabus, the instructor reserves the right to make adjustments or change in the

syllabus from time to time. Any changes to the syllabus will be discussed with the

students.