SYLLABUS

Instructor:  John M. Ritz
228 Education
Office: 683-4305
Home: 456-0623
oted635@odu.edu
 
     
1. Course Number:     OTED 635
 
2. Course Title:     Research Methods in Occupational and Technical Studies
 
3. Description:     A course designed to acquaint learners with the principles, methods, and strategies useful in planning and conducting educational and training research.
 
Purpose:     A course designed to prepare the professional educator, master teacher and trainer to conduct on the job research to both improve learner comprehension of new knowledge and the delivery of instruction.
 
4. Course Competencies:     As a result of this course and its activities, the learner should:
 
 A. Develop skill in identifying research problems and planning for their solution.
 
 B. Develop skill in selecting proper types of research in solving problems.
 
 C. Develop technical skills in reporting research including procedures and formats.
 
 D. Develop skill in designing methods of data collection.
 
 E. Develop basic skill in various statistical techniques.
 
 F. Use computer software to process data.
 
 G. Complete a draft copy of the initial three chapters of a selected research study in occupational and technical education or training.
 
 H. Gain approval of your study from the human subjects review committee.
 
5. Course Requirements:
 
 A. Participate in the discussion and analysis of procedures utilized in educational research (10%).
 
 B. Complete the following class research assignments (20%).
 
  1. Research criteria and problem statements. 
  2. Methods of research and research goals. 
  3. Preparation of introductions, background and significance, limitations, assumptions, definition     of items, and summary. 
  4. Review of the literature. 
  5. Sampling techniques, validity, and reliability. 
  6. Test selection, questionnaire design, and attitude measurement. 
  7. Measures of central tendency and variability. 
  8. Methods of correlation. 
  9. t-Test and Chi-square. 
  10. Human Subjects Review.
 
 C. Successfully complete three unit tests on research in education (30%).
 
 D. Complete, through the cooperation of your graduate research advisor, a draft copy of the first three chapters of your proposed research study (30%).
  
 E. Successfully complete a comprehensive examination on methods of research in education (10%).
  
6. Attendance:     Although class attendance is not a requirement for this course, 10 percent of your grade is based upon participation. Consequently, excessive absence will take away from your participation grade. Also, much of the content for the completion of assignments is provided through lecture and discussion. This information will not be readily obtained if the learner does not attend. 
Weekly class assignments are due on assigned dates and will not be accepted late. All assignments will be delivered by e-mail.
  
7. Grading:
  
  93 to 100 points A 
  85 to 92 points B 
  84 to 75 points C 
  74 and below F
  
8. Honors Pledge:
  
 "I pledge to support the honor system of Old Dominion University. I will refrain from any form of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a member of the academic community, it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of the honor system. I will report to Honor Council hearings if summoned". By attending Old Dominion University you have accepted the responsibility to abide by this code. This is an institutional policy approved by the Board of Visitors.
  
9. Student Disabilities:        
 In accordance with university policy, a student who wishes to receive some instructional accommodation, because of a documented sensory and/or learning disability, should meet with the instructor to discuss this accommodation.
  
10. Office Hours:     By appointment (on or off-campus).
  
11. Text:
  
Pyrczak, F. & Bruce, R. (2007). 6th Edition.  Writing empirical research reports. Los Angeles: Pyrczak Publishing.

Urdan, T. (2005). 2nd Edition. Statistics in Plain English. London: Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc. 
  
Optional Source Texts (do not need to purchase - much is posted on this web-site):
  
 Isaac, S. and Michael, W.B. (1995). Handbook in research and evaluation. San Diego: EdITS.
  
 Lang, G. and Heiss, G. (1994). A practical guide to research methods. New York: University Press of America, Fifth edition.
  
 Tuckman, B.W. (1995). Conducting educational research. New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, Inc.
  
 DataMost (1999). StatMost for Windows statistical analysis and graphics. Salt Lake City: DataMost Corporation or other statistical software.
  
12. References (do not need to purchase):
  
Ary, D., Jacobs, L.C., & Razavieh, A. (1972). Introduction to research in education. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. 
  
Best, J.W. (1959). Research in education. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall. 
  
Borg, W.R. (1963). Educational research: An introduction. New York: David McKay. 
  
Cook, D.R. & LaFleur, N.K. (1975). A guide to educational research. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. 
  
Kerlinger, F.N. (1973). Foundations of behavioral research. New York: Holt Rinehart & Winston. 
  
Van Dalen, D.B. and Meyer, W.J. (1966). Understanding educational research. New York: McGraw-Hill. 
  
Turney, B. and Robb, G. (1973). Research in education: An introduction. New York: Holt, Rhinehart & Winston.
  
Revised on: 1/3/08