EDUC 8250: Qualitative Research IProfessor Margaret EisenhartFall, 2004 Education Building, Room 338 Introduction and Overall Purpose Education research is a complex endeavor involving several different methodological approaches. This course focuses on one kind of approach: qualitative methods. These methods include various means of obtaining in-depth information about the behaviors and beliefs of people in naturally occurring social settings. This course aims to provide students with an introduction to the theoretical perspectives which underlie this methodological approach and the techniques for and issues in gathering, analyzing, writing-up, and using qualitative data. Because the course is part of the required doctoral core in Education, selected topics will be coordinated with course work in the other core courses being taught this semester. A few classes will be team-taught with other core instructors. QUALITATIVE METHODS II (taught in the Spring) will extend and elaborate on the topics covered in this course. Educational Objectives
The Instructor My office hours (in Education Rm. 238) for the Fall Semester are Thursdays, 2:30-4 p.m. and by appointment You can also reach me at 492-8583 (office) or margaret.eisenhart@colorado.edu (e-mail). If you don’t reach me when you call, please leave a message, and I'll return your call as soon as possible. Course Requirements Reading assignments have been made for almost every class period (see schedule below). Study questions for the readings will be given in advance. Please read the assignments and develop responses to the study questions before the next class. Class sessions will include short lectures, small-group conversations, and whole-class discussions based in part on the readings. Classes are designed for active participants. Please come to class prepared to discuss the assigned material and its implications. I do give credit for good oral participation in class. Required Texts New and used copies of these books are available at the CU Bookstore on campus or from Amazon.com.
Other Required Readings Additional required readings are available from the Norlin Library electronic reserve (e-Reserves) system. To access Norlin's e-Reserves from any internet computer (i.e. home, library, etc.):
There will be several written assignments and one final paper. Due dates for the written assignments are listed on the schedule below. Details about each written assignment will be provided soon after the semester begins. Final Paper The final requirement (in lieu of a final exam) is the development of a conceptual framework for a qualitative research study. We will work on the conceptual framework during the semester. The final paper is due on Monday, December 13. The last day of class is December 16. Grading Policy Students will receive a grade for their written assignments (50% of final grade), class participation (10%), and the final paper (40%). Special Event On Thursday-Friday, November 4-5, the School of Education will host a visit by two prominent qualitative researchers, Dorothy Holland (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill) and Doug Foley (University of Texas-Austin). For more information and a schedule of events, go to Practice Theory Additional Information for Students Disability Services. If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services (DS) early in the semester so that your needs may be addressed. DS determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. For additional information, call 303-492-8671, visit Willard 322, or refer to http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices/index.html. Religious Observances. I will make every effort to accommodate all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments, or other required attendance, provided they notify me in advance of the scheduled conflict. Whenever possible, students should notify me at least two weeks in advance of the conflict to request special accommodation. For additional information on this policy, see http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html. Classroom Behavior. Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty has the professional responsibility to treat students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which students express opinions. For additional information, see Classroom Behavior Policy at www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html. Student Honor Code. A Student Honor Code is in effect in all schools and colleges of the University. You can see the honor code information at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/. |