Course Title: Research Design and Methodology for Science Educators
Campus Course Code: SCE 5308
Campus: UT Dallas
Program: MAT-SE
Course Description
Application of the methodological and philosophical foundations of research in science education pertaining to an individual research question. Topics include educational research ethics and design, measuring instruments and data manipulation, methodological rigor, evidence-based conclusions, and publication genres to support the development of a professional presentation and formal research paper.
Following on the goals of SCE 5305, Research Design and Methodology for Science Educators enables the participants to go forth and conduct their own research. Why would a teacher, administrator or educator want to conduct research? Your settings are unique. While they may be similar to the groups other researchers have examined, your students bring their own issues to the learning environment. Once you can read and analyze what others have done, you are prepared to conduct your own research and examine questions you have raised. You will learn how to use previously made instruments to do your research. The goal of the class is to prepare participants to assess whether research is appropriate for use with their students, if that research must be changed to meet the needs of their students, and if these changes make a difference in students’ success.
SCE 5308 is a required core course for the Master of Arts in Teaching – Science Education (MAT-SE) Online degree program offered by the Science/Mathematics Education Department (SciMathEd) at The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas). This course is a prerequisite for SCE 8398, Science Education Thesis.
Offered completely online, this course has the same learning objectives as the on-campus section. Meeting or exceeding the UT TeleCampus ‘Principles of Good Practice’, a student-centered approach promotes high expectations for coursework and academic performance. Established on a solid foundation of scientific research and academic excellence, this course specifically supports the MAT-SE Online program goal to produce students who are able to use and contribute to current educational research and methodology.
Course Objectives
The goal of this course is for students to gain practical experience in conducting research in science education. Toward that end, students will be able to:
- design and execute an independent research plan,
- report study results in science education research journal form, and
- defend research conclusions in an electronic presentation to peers.
Students will produce a research document worthy of publication in a professional science education journal and electronically deliver a formal presentation of the research study for review.
Materials
Visit the Bookstores page for links to campus bookstores that provide information on course materials.
Prerequisites: Graduate in good standing. Successful completion of SCE 5305 Evaluating Research in Science Education.
Credits:3
Level:Graduate
Faculty
Cynthia Ledbetter
ledbeter@utdallas.edu
972-883-2496