R 501D: Foundations in Research (2 hrs)

Instructor: Ron Shope

(402) 449-2904

Course Description

Every first time student is required to take this web-based course on doing graduate level research in the library. The syllabus (which includes passwords) is available at the Graduate Studies Office. The course must be completed by the end of the first fall or spring semester a student’s matriculation. While the course is non-credit, a pass/fail grade will be given. This course is entirely on the Internet and requires no classroom time. However, the student will not be allowed to progress in his/her degree program without the course. There is no charge. If a student has taken this course as an undergraduate student at Grace University the requirement may be waived.

Textbooks

A significant amount of course content is based on the required textbooks. Textbooks are available for purchase from the university bookstore (www.graceu.edu/bookstore).

Creswell, J.W. (2005). Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research (Second Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/Prentice Hall. (ISBN: 0131643460) (Includes Study Guide by Plano-Clark)

Technology Requirements

This course requires the latest versions of the software plug-ins or programs listed below. Run a system scan at the Microsoft system requirements site: https://www.microsoftelearning.com/help/systemRequirements.aspx

Software	Use	Download
Internet Explorer	Accessing course	http://www.microsoft.com/ie
Flash Player (SWF)	Viewing media	http://www.adobe.com/downloads
Adobe Reader (PDF)	Reading documents	http://www.adobe.com/downloads
Windows Media Player (WMV)	Viewing media	http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia
Microsoft Office Word (DOC)	Viewing, creating and editing documents (all files are sent in .doc format)	http://www.microsoft.com/office/word

Course Objectives

To be able to describe the steps involved in conducting research.
Demonstrate the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and synthesis and write a literature review on a specific topic using A.P.A. guidelines.
Demonstrate an ability to evaluate research articles in scholarly journals.
Describe several research designs for collecting, analyzing and writing research within both the quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Articulate ethical considerations in conducting and reporting research.

Class Schedule

Lesson	Topic	Learning Activities
1	Introduction to the Research Process	· Discussion · In Class Meeting
2	Comparing Quantitative & Qualitative Research	· Discussion
3	The Research Problem	· Discussion
4	Reviewing the Literature	· Discussion · In Class Meeting
5	Biblical Research Tools	· Discussion · In Class Meeting
6	The purpose Statement	· Discussion
7	Exam 1	· Essay Exam
8	Collecting Quantitative Data	· Discussion
9	Analyzing Quantitative Data	· Discussion
10	Collecting Qualitative Data	· Discussion
11	Analyzing Qualitative Data	· Discussion
12	Biblical Exegesis as Research	· Discussion
13	Writing the Report	· Discussion
14	Presentation of Projects	· In Class Meeting
15	Exam 2	· Essay Exam