SEED 594: Action Research (3 units)

Rebecca Hong, Assistant Professor of Education

Description

Examines student-, classroom- and school-based problems. Establishes action plans grounded in educational theory to study the results of interventions leading to performance-based improvement.

Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have:

Learned what action research is and how to create their own action research project
Employed critical thinking about the evaluation of changes in educational practices and policies in schools, organizations, and informal contexts
Discussed quantitative and qualitative methods for design and analysis, participatory design of practices, and policies in a framework of action research, institutional learning, and selected case studies

Course Format

Conducted online over 16 weeks in alignment with Biola University’s 2013 Fall semester. Students will interact with the instructor and each other through interactive online discussions and other assignments.

Required Reading

American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2010. ISBN: 9781433805615
Johnson, A.P. A Short Guide to Action Research. 4th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2012. ISBN: 9780132685863
Additional reading provided online plus research-based articles from peer-reviewed journals related to the action research project

RECOMMENDED READING:

Galvan, J. L. Writing Literature Reviews: A Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. 5th ed. Los Angeles: Pyrczak, 2012. ISBN: 9781936523030
Harris, Robert A. Using Sources Effectively: Strengthening Your Writing and Avoiding Plagiarism. 3rd ed. Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing, 2011. ISBN: 9781884585937

Assignments

Interactive online discussions (120 pts)
Self-introduction (10 points)
Prayer projects and final reflection (30 points)
Research expert presentation (20 points)
Literature review matrix (10 points)
Preliminary literature review (10 points)
5-7 page action research proposal (25 pts)
PowerPoint presentation (25 pts)
18-20 page final paper (120 pts)

Prerequisites

None

Relation to Curriculum

Required course for the M.A. in Education and M.A. in Teaching degrees; for the M.A. in Teaching, this course must be taken the last semester of the program.