Field Research in Educational Leadership

Catalog description

Field study and qualitative methods in research on educational organizations. EDLDR 581 Field Research in Educational Leadership (3) This course provides an introduction to the various research methodologies available for conducting inquiry in educational leadership across the three paradigms - structural-functionalist, phenomenological-symbolic interactionist, and critical-constructivist. Specifically, this course will focus on relationships between research questions, the theoretical/conceptual framework, and research methods but focus specifically on the methods for data collection and analysis. Part of the course will focus developing an understanding and appreciation of the different as well as complementary aspects of qualitative and quantitative research methods and the appropriate uses of each for inquiry in support of improved understanding of and practice in education. However, the majority of the course will center on the development of an understanding of the qualitative research skills needed to conduct field research. An integrated agenda of readings, lecture, group discussions and presentations, and completion of a research project will explore and emphasize the relationship and interdependence of all elements of systematic research. Activities are designed to integrate conceptual knowledge and understanding with active and collaborative participation.This course is designed to provide students with an orderly introduction to and apprenticeship in educational research. Specifically, the objectives of this course are: (1) to become familiar with specific research designs and methods used in qualitative research; (2) to read as widely as possible in the relevant qualitative research literature; (3) to become familiar with appropriate field-based research skills for data collection; (4) to conduct field-based research investigating a specific problem related to educational practice; (5) to develop the skills necessary for qualitative data analysis; and, (6) to develop the skills needed for writing qualitative research.