R795: Dissertation Proposal Preparation (Spring 2024)

IST Department, IU School of Education (revised February 23, 2024)

Section 5883 (Online Version); Section 9632 (Face-to-Face)

Syllabus: http://curtbonk.com/r795_2024.htm

My homepage: http://curtbonk.com/

Zoom (Optional Synchronous Sessions): To Be Shared

Course Files Dropbox Spring 2024

Course Link to Canvas: http://canvas.iu.edu/; https://iu.instructure.com/courses/2202711

Instructor: Professor Curt Bonk, Indiana University, IST Dept, Email: cjbonk@indiana.edu

 

Expert Guests and Advisors (IU Doctoral Students and IU IST Alums):

1.      Hyejeong Lee, IU Bloomington, doctoral candidate, hle6@iu.edu

2.      Dr. Sunmi Seol, Stanford University, sunseol@iu.edu

3.      Dr. Mengyuan Zhao, IUPUI/Purdue University, zhaomeng@iu.edu

4.      Dr. Zihang Shao, IU East, zihshao@iu.edu

5.      Dr. Charon Wang, Colby College, Maine, chaoranwang314@gmail.com

6.      Dr. Cherisse Mahabir-Cletus, St. George's University, Grenada, cmahabir@iu.edu

7. Dr. Angie Leuchtmann, Springboard Collaborative,  amleuchtmann@gmail.com

8.      Dr. Meina Zhu, Wayne State University, meinazhuiu@gmail.com

9.      Dr. Merve Basdogan, Texas Tech University,  Merve.Basdogan@ttu.edu

10.  Dr. Jennifer Park, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, parkjj@uncw.edu

 

Course Overview

This course is designed for advanced doctoral students who are close to completing the requirements for the Ph.D. or Ed.D. in Instructional Systems Technology (IST). Students should view this course as an opportunity to develop plans for empirical research in IST. An operating assumption is that you will develop a research plan that can be applied to future dissertation work. Note that most, if not all, Ed.D. students will also be preparing for your qualifying exams.

 

Course Description and Purpose

In this course, you will develop the central components of a viable dissertation study proposal. Ph.D. students might address some big weighty topic or thorny issue in a particular field or area that has come into the limelight or attempt to design a new instrument or model. That is called the “make a difference in the world” dissertation. These dissertations are rare. More likely, a dissertation might narrow in on a specific gap or opening for their research focus. That is called a “smart dissertation.” Sometimes dissertations take advantage of convenient data or sample population or both even though one is not fully passionately committed to the study. That is often called a “get it done” dissertation.

 

Typically, the dissertations of Ed.D. students apply theory to practice. They often will not build knowledge to be generalized across populations or contexts, but it can be used within the context where they carry out their empirical study. At the same time, the dissertation of an Ed.D. student will not simply be a large project; it will be a scholarly effort in which you bring theory to bear on a problem or question situated within a specific context. Consequently, identification of that problem or context will occur first, followed by your identification and exploration of the appropriate constructs, frameworks, and theories applicable to that problem or context. Then you will consider the design of your proposed study—the research methods to be used, population, instruments, timing, specific research questions, etc. This sequence will form the structure of the course.

 

If you have come into the course with an idea for your study already in mind, then you will use the course structure to examine and build out that idea into your full proposal. Each situation is different. There is no one size that fits all approach. But this course can help you in general. You will get a chance to see samples of prospectuses and proposals. And you will hear from a few recent students how they succeeded; I will invite a few of them in Zoom.

 

Advice and Observations

Write down the nubs or kernels of research ideas as they come up. Each article you read will have open issues and some will suggest future directions. If you find one interesting, write it down and note the author(s), article title, journal, and page number. Personally, I did this and had 68 dissertation ideas when I was ready to dissertate. I went with idea #46 with combined two previous ideas; my dissertation was on computer prompts (generative and evaluative) and the development of middle school children’s writing; my colleague and I developed a keystroke mapping program to record student writing sessions. Having some ideas on paper will build your confidence. Share those ideas with friends, family members, professors, your advisor(s), and anyone willing to listen, even Uber and Lyft drivers (you’ll be amazed at what they know).

 

When you are planning research, you may find that your interests change or are modified. Researchers change questions all the time; that is to be expected. You read some new technical reports and journal articles and it excites your passions. You will also refine your ideas and focus them a bit. In addition, when you are planning research situated in the context of an organization and institution, you may find that their projects, processes, or interests have also changed. Due to these changes you might not get approval for your original idea but can slightly modify it and it will be approved. You have to consider the people and their territory or turf and be sensitive to controversial topics or age groups.

 

Still other considerations are what your advisor prefers or has experience with. When working with your advisor, you will often find that new and relevant ideas and directions come up; these will sometimes necessitate re-thinking, re-work, and re-writing. However, you do not need to pursue every area of interest or expertise of your advisor. In fact, he or she will greatly appreciate it if you can find your own personal quest; handholding students through a dissertation process is a dreadful feeling. Still, advisors will have many sage suggestions for changes at timely moments in the process. Listen to them and decide what ones you want to do. Of course, this rethinking and re-envisioning is a natural part of the research process, not a problem or mistake that you or the advisor has made.

 

Goals and Objectives

A fundamental course goal is for students to refine their ability to plan and articulate a research project that should yield a dissertation idea and ultimately a publishable product. It will therefore be ideal for students to develop a realistic dissertation question and associated methodological plan. I will arrange for optional synchronous sessions in Zoom with guest experts and former students so you can learn something about the process. Students are also responsible for communication with their research advisors between meetings. Please talk to them and share your progress.

 

Students should leave the course with a draft of a research prospectus that is similar to Chapters 1 and 3 of a dissertation, assuming a standard five-chapter dissertation model is followed.

 

·         Chapter 1 – Is an overview and justification of the research questions

·         Chapter 2 – A review of the related literature

·         Chapter 3 – Methodological plan

·         Chapter 4 – Analyses

·         Chapter 5 – Conclusions

 

As noted earlier, as with all research, dissertation plans are subject to change pending refinement of thinking and alteration of the context in which a study will be conducted. Indeed, almost all aspects of any given research project will evolve over time. For this reason, students should not expect that the course will yield a final draft of a research proposal. Indeed, active scholars should also be: (1) pondering what is known and unknown in their field; (2) considering what knowledge or findings should be advanced; (3) working out how to answer new questions that came up; and (4) pondering about and preparing for their dissertation outlets. Therefore, although it will be ideal for students to leave the course with a solid dissertation idea and some writing accomplished, the more fundamental goal is to gain experience with research planning.

 

The second big goal here is for you to practice working on qualifying exams. Ed.D. students will spend some time on these exercises. I have several sample questions and preparation ideas but do not list them in the syllabus.

 

Individual Consultations in Zoom
I will hold nearly weekly sessions in Zoom (https://IU.zoom.us/j/8123222878) during the semester to learn from prior students and other experts about doing dissertation research. The date of those Zoom sessions will change every week; but most likely they will be early in the week (dates listed in the syllabus are placeholders, as the dates may change). These promise to be fun and information. They will help you in forming research questions, doing a literature review, collecting data, and doing a dissertation defense. Anyone can show up the Zoom sessions. After each presentation, I will be available for individual consultations with any students needing help. You are welcome to sit in on other students’ consultations.

 

In addition, 1-2 consultations during the semester with your academic advisor are mandatory. Please keep your advisor updated on your progress. While this class helps you prepare for the dissertation, your advisor is a primary stakeholder in your success; he or she may disagree with my suggestions. I have served on over 130 completed dissertations and dissertation suggestions are rarely unanimous and many will seem insignificant or irrelevant, but they more than likely will help improve your dissertation product; you have a “committee” for a reason. Each member will help you refine, expand, and enhance your ideas.

 

The best outcome is that you will complete a draft proposal in this class that is ready to be reviewed when you form your research committee. Your advisor will not expect frequent requests for consultation, but he or she should expect that you will contact him/her by phone or Zoom/Skype at least once during this course and more often after it. Your consultations will be most productive if you send material to be reviewed in advance, together with some questions you have about the current or future state of your work toward the proposal.

 

Discussion Forum (NA; instead, fill out the Google Doc by January 13)

There will be no regular discussions in this class. I would rather you create a personal blog about your reflections. However, there may be some impromptu discussions depending on student interests and expectations. I want you all to complete this Google Doc by January 13 listing your advisor and dissertation committee members, professional/research interests, proposed dissertation topic and timeline, place where you were born as well as the place you want to live in the future, and 3-5 of your personal hobbies.

 

Student Info:

Spring of 2023: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pgtudL5s-DjIHk3lNkWLttYdkaUCN6boIrCdvG7kKxc/edit?usp=sharing

 

Readings and Task Examples: You select your own weekly readings. Seminal weekly optional readings for this course are in Dropbox for Spring 2024. You will at least want to download them. I will send you the link. I hope to put some task examples and the slides from the weekly Zoom guests in Dropbox in Spring 2024 as well.

 

Course Structure:

This course reflects two sections combined into one: R795 on campus and R795 online. The bulk what we do will take place online. All assignments are due Tuesday by 11:59 pm unless otherwise indicated. There is a two-day grace period on all assignments.

1.      Develop a realistic, sole-authored dissertation question and associated methodological plan with guidance from the faculty member expected to direct your dissertation. The R795 instructor will help with general issues in conceptualizing research problems and in writing your proposal.

2.      Complete the 6 required deliverables.

3.      PhD students only: participate in your Third Dossier Review within six weeks of the end of the semester or within six weeks of the beginning of the next semester (with your program advisory committee).

4.      Articulate next steps (to include IRB approval).

 

Submission and Grading:

For Tasks #1-6, please submit to Canvas assignments in Word. Make sure it is editable by me so do NOT post a PDF). These must be in APA format (APA #7 preferred) and have your name on them as well as the Task # and a title matching the assignment.

 

I tend to use rubrics for grading. Given this is the only third time that I am teaching this course. I will put some examples that I have in Dropbox for Spring 2024. Typically, I look for clarity, flow and logic, completeness, originality, relevance, etc.

 

 

Tasks/Assignments	Points	Due Dates + 48 hour grace
Task #0. Take plagiarism test and email Dr. Bonk with interests.	A couple of bonus points	January 13
1.      Statement of Research Goals and Research Questions	40 points	January 23
2.      Research Design and Sampling Plan	30 points	February 20
3.      Analysis Plan	30 points	March 19
4.      Draft of Prospectus	60 points	April 16
5.      Blog/Journal Reflection or Reading Reflections	50 points	April 9
6.      Quals Practice or Former Student Interview	30 points	April 9
Total Points	240 points

 

 

 GRADING SCALE:

 

A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D…
95-100   224 Points	90-94   216 Points	87-89   208 Points	83-86   199 Points	80-83   192 Points	77-79   185 Points	74-77   178 Points	70-73   168 Points	<70

 

Course Schedule

All topics, readings, due dates, and assignments subject to change. I will try to host evening meetings online as well that are optional. Reminder Zoom: https://IU.zoom.us/j/8123222878

 

Week	Primary Topics	Readings & Assignments*
Week 1: January 9 at 6 pm (EST)	-      Course introductions and orientation -      Plagiarism and copyright   Readings theme: Making Research Matter	DUE by January 13 are three Tasks: 1. Plagiarism Tutorial or Brief Reflection Paper (optional) and 2. Email to me, and 3. Google Docs introductions. Zoom: Orientation meeting. Guests: Hyejeong Lee, Sunmi Seol, and Cherisse Mahabir-Cletus.
Week 2: January 16 at 6 pm (online) and 1:15 pm January 19 (FTF)	- On your own reading / research -      How do I know if I’m making a scholarly contribution? Constructs, research gaps, research problem statement, etc. Readings theme: Developing a Research Agenda	Ed.D. students only: Zoom Mtg on tips on quals exam, dissertation proposal writing, and dissertation defense with Ed.D. students. Sunmi Seol, Cherisse Mahabir-Cletus, Angie Leuchtmann, and Mengyuan Zhao.   Ph.D. students meet in Room 2271 at 1:15 pm on Friday January 19.
Week 3: January 23 at 6 pm (EST)	- On your own reading / research -      Research questions   Readings theme: Designing and Evaluating Research	DUE January 23 - Task #1: Statement of Research Goals and Research Questions   Zoom Mtg. Curt Bonk to present some final writing advice and tips. And Ask Curt Anything about research (especially, open, online, and distance learning).
Week 4: January 30	- On your own reading / research   Readings theme: Design Based Research (DBR) Educational Design Research (EBR)	Tuesday January 30 at 6 pm. Zoom Mtg with George Veletsianos. “Ask George Anything” about research and digital scholarship.
Week 5: February 6	- On your own reading / research   Readings theme: Writing and Crafting	Friday February 9 at 1:15. Curt Bonk to speak on writing and publishing. Dr. Zihang Shao with dissertation proposal development advice using AI tools like Semantic Scholar.
Week 6: February 13	-      On your own reading / research -        Sampling + more   Readings theme: Case Study Methods	Tuesday February 13 at  7 pm EST (Ohio State University) for an “Ask Me (Ana) Anything” about research (in particular, online learning, mobile learning, collab learning, human-computer interaction).
Week 7: February 20 (individual times to be determined)	- On your own reading / research   Readings theme: Qualitative Methods	DUE February 20 - Task #2: Research Design & Sampling Plan 1:1 Consultation meetings in Zoom as arranged with Curt Bonk (dates and times to be determined). Friday Feb. 23 at 1:15. Zoom with Dr. Meina Zhu, Topic: Conducting systematic reviews and mixed methods research. Ask Meina Anything (AMA) about being a successful early career scholar, creating a dissertation project which is published in pieces, etc.
Week 8: February 27	- On your own reading / research   Readings theme: Systematic Reviews of the Research	1:1 Consultation meetings in Zoom with Curt Bonk. Tuesday February 27 (as arranged).   Wednesday February 28. 6 pm. Zoom Mtg: Adam Mills, IU IRB,, Ask Adam Anything about research.
Week 9: March 5	- On your own reading / research - Analysis   Readings theme: Data Analysis	No meetings.
Spring Break		Take a break.
Week 10: March 19	- On your own reading / research   Readings theme: Mixed Methods	DUE March 19 - Task #3: Analysis Plan Monday March 18 at 7 pm EST. Zoom Mtg with Dr. Kui Xie at Michigan State. “Ask Kui Anything” about educational technology translation research.
Week 11: March 26	-      On your own reading / research -      Analysis, Alignment (& more)   Readings theme: Hypothesis Testing	Friday March 29 at 1:00. Zoom session: IST and LCLE alum, Dr. Chaoran Wang (10 tips on present & defend dissertation & 10 tips on collecting & communicating data). Zoom Mtg with Curt and 2:00 pm with IST Alum Dr. Merve Basdogan (10 tips on lit reviews and 10 tips on forming research questions).
Week 12: April 2	-      On your own reading / research   Readings theme: Writing Advice Part 1	Friday April 5. 1 pm Curt Bonk Writing Tips. 2 pm. Guest: IST alum, Dr. Trena Paulus, East Tennessee State University. Topic: Digital Tools for Qualitative Research; see Trena’s three books: https://trenapaulus.com/.
Week 13: April 9	- On your own reading / research     Tuesday April 12 at 6 pm. Zoom breakout and group discussion on student Task #5 and Task #6 work	DUE April 9- Task #5 Blog/Journal Reflection or Reading Reflections and Task #6. Interviews or Practice Quals practice.   1:1 Consultation meetings in Zoom as arranged with Curt Bonk (date and time to be determined).   .
Week 14: April 16 (Individual times to be determined)	- On your own reading / research - Reflect on your own reading research Readings theme: Writing Advice Part 3	DUE April 16. Task #4: Draft Prospectus 1:1 Consultation meetings in Zoom as arranged with Curt Bonk (date and time to be determined).
Week 15: April 19	Theme: Putting things together…	Friday April 19 at 1:00 pm. Zoom mtg to meet, share, and discuss drafts of prospectus (with Cherisse Mahabir-Cletus, Zihang Shao, Sunmi Seol, Hyejeong Lee, etc.). Curt Bonk: Final Writing Tips.

 

 

 

Guests from Prior Semesters:

 

The R795 Spring 2023 Complete Zoom Session Playlist in YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHcReRoW2lxP9g9SNh4C4tzDSHssTS4cw
Week 1 R795 Spring 2023	Orientation and Jen Park and Cherisse Mahabir-Cletus, January 10, 2023 (2:40:23)	https://youtu.be/CHKdU5nPZJ4
Week 2 R795 Spring 2023	Sunmi Seol and Zihang Shao with Dissertation and Quals Tips, January 17, 2023 (2:33:31)	https://youtu.be/YQnlsBnagg0
Week 3 R795 Spring 2023	Yue Ma, Mengyuan Zhao, and Shuya Zhu preparing for quals and dissertation proposals, January 24, 2023 (1:45:17)	https://youtu.be/0IcZafpSDFY
Week 4 R795 Spring 2023	Part 1. Alyssa Wise from NYU and DBR and learning analytics research, January 31, 2023 (59:51)   Part 2. Curt Bonk Writing and Publishing Tips, January 31, 2023 (56:41)	https://youtu.be/vJpSWlC2Iew     https://youtu.be/fBVyVjVnQrA
Week 5 R795 Spring 2023	Part 1. Angie Leuchtmann and Patrick Walsh, Feb. 7, 2023 (1:21:15)   Part 2. Twenty ways to get a Dissertation Sample with Curt Bonk, Feb. 7, 2023 (43:46)	https://youtu.be/T0NKPX82WQs       https://youtu.be/IZ8QpM6ZJKg
Week 6 R795 Spring 2023	Adam Mills IU Human Subjects, Feb. 14, 2023 (1:06:47)   Curt Bonk 20 Tips for Communication and more for Writing, February 14, 2023 (59:29)	https://youtu.be/k3PkfQPq8Lw       https://youtu.be/Gna40EDAfxQ
Week 8 R795 Spring 2023	Vanessa Dennen and Curt Bonk on systematic reviews of the research, February 28, 2023 (1:36:53)   Part 2 Curt Bonk predatory journals and finding the right writing outlet, February 28, 2023 (40:07 minutes)	https://youtu.be/eBBBH2C0vWc       https://youtu.be/Q8xzjVybaJ8
Week 9 R795 Spring 2023	Merve Basdogan Tips on Literature Review and Research Q's and Curt Bonk 20 Dissertation Stories, March 7, 2023 (1:44:42)	https://youtu.be/o5y0okT9uJM
Week 10 R795 Spr. 2023	Part 1 Curt Bonk More Writing Advice, March 21, 2023 (31 minutes)   Part 2 John Hitchcock Mixed Methods Design, March 21, 2023 (1:30:29)	https://youtu.be/3vjuG_J-xwE     https://youtu.be/Q-fvvBGopPE
Week 11 R795 Spr. 2023	Part 1 Chaoran Wang Dissertation Defense and Communication Advice, March 28, 2023 (1 hour)   Part 2 Curt Bonk Research Collaboration, March 28, 2023 (1 hour)	https://youtu.be/3ty8G1SUQDs         https://youtu.be/3hDiA00w3rs
Week 12 R795 Spr. 2023	Part 1. Curt Bonk Journal Publishing Tips, April 4, 2023 (29 minutes)   Part 2. Dabae Lee and Yeol Huh Turning Dissertations into Journal Publications, April 4, 2023 (1:28:33)	https://youtu.be/G1Gf2-7_AIY       https://youtu.be/Z5IzMWTY844
Week 13 R795 Spr. 2023	Meina Zhu and Curt Bonk Finding Success as an Early Career Scholar, April 11, 2023 (59:20)	https://youtu.be/pjmZ4TzlFOA
Week 15 R795 Spr. 2023	Student Dissertation Proposal Presentations and Feedback, April 25, 2023 (2:15:27)	https://youtu.be/zi6_jiWehB8

 

                                  

 

R795 Dissertation Proposal Preparation, Fall 2022 Guest and Instructor Chats as YouTube Videos Curt Bonk and Sunmi Seol, Instructors, Indiana University   The Entire Fall 2022 Video Playlist (created November 20, 2022): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHcReRoW2lxP5gdJPiUvX0-tJpC5q8Lhe Note: These videos are also in the R795 Kaltura Media files in Canvas as well as directly accessible from the links below.
Week 1 R795 Fall 2022	Part 1. Angie Leuchtmann on doctoral student forms, tools, checklists, and guidelines (54 minutes)   Part 2. Curt Bonk and Sunmi Seol Intro to Course (1 hour)	https://youtu.be/qqaVH2ZploM       https://youtu.be/-W4zZHRAC00
Week 2 R795 Fall 2022	Mengyuan Zhao and Sunmi Seol tips on quals exam and proposal writing (2:30:02)	https://youtu.be/U_rmM1t6V3c
Week 3 R795 Fall 2022	Part 1. Rob Elliott and Zihang Shao tips on Quals, Dissertation Proposal and Defense (1:28:40)   Part 2. Curt Bonk Some Dissertation Writing Tips (1:10:43)	https://youtu.be/lBOwXJQQd8s       https://youtu.be/d2cs6UlbMHw
Week 4 R795 Fall 2022	Part 1. Tom Reeves on DBR and IMA (Ask Me (Tom) Anything) (151:46)   Part 2. Curt Bonk 10 Dissertation Defense Tips and 10 Dissertation Revision Tips (34:36)	https://youtu.be/Whif7Biq4tY     https://youtu.be/TpQvBcYWZEc
Week 5 R795 Fall 2022	IST Alum Dr. Erin Crisp, turning quals into a publication and tips on dissertation proposal and defense (1:16:54)   R795 Week 5 Curt Bonk Part #1 of Writing Tips (38:31)	https://youtu.be/GxWVu0hNe0E         https://youtu.be/RsKai8y_oGQ
Week 6 R795 Fall 2022	Part 1. Adam Mills, IU, on IRB Process (1:20:21)   Part 2. Michael Thomas from U of Illinois Chicago (1:17:10)	https://youtu.be/Vn9Vj_c-ty4     https://youtu.be/W96cfuh0cUA
Week 8 R795 Fall 2022	Part 1. Florence Martin on Systemic Reviews of the Research (1:24:53) Part 2. Curt Bonk Writing and Publishing Tips Part 2 (1 hour)	https://youtu.be/KQmYLc-EryQ   https://youtu.be/kzEbxPkvgGs
Week 9 R795 Fall 2022	Part 1. Merve Basdogan on Lit Reviews and Research Q's (1:10:25)   Part 2. John Hitchcock: Ask Me Anything (AMA) about research (1:32:59)	https://youtu.be/aP3tVnKs4NI       https://youtu.be/8NjmOTbJWIY
Week 10 R795 Fall 2022	Rick West and Jason McDonald Open Textbooks (32:28)	https://youtu.be/ZWMwNfY2fHc   Note: Computer audio did not work properly at AECT for this session.
Week 11 R795 Fall 2022	Part 1. Chaoran Wang and Maria Agee Tips on Defending Your Dissertation (1:41:30) Part 2. Curt Bonk's Best Writing Tips (Part 6 or 10) (33:07)	https://youtu.be/WuoOUy_BxYg         https://youtu.be/X4PZxgoJjG4
Week 12 R795 Fall 2022	Part 1. Tiffany Roman and Susie Gronseth on Writing and Publishing Curt Bonk on Writing and Publishing	https://youtu.be/Sm8UZ9vY3wA       https://youtu.be/DIoJ13RPdbM
Week 13 R795 Fall 2022	Part 2. Meina Zhu and Curt Bonk on publishing and writing spaces (1:21:25)	https://youtu.be/zb8XfsIRKuc

 

 

Administrative and Course Polices

 

Students with Disabilities: The Adaptive Technology and Accessibility Centers at IUB provide a wide range of services for students with disabilities, including adaptive hardware and adaptive software, creation of electronic text from print media, conversion of print to MP3 format, and more. See https://atac.iu.edu/index.html.  

 

Lateness: I have a 48 hour (2 day) lateness policy with no penalties for any assignment. So if it says it is due Tuesday at midnight, you actually have until Thursday at midnight to turn it in without penalty. Assignments are to be submitted through Canvas by 11:55 pm Eastern Time on the designated date, unless otherwise stated. Please have your names, page numbers, and the task # and perhaps a title on them before you turn them in. Thank you.

 

Incompleteness, Copyright, Plagiarism, and Original Work: I expect personally created highly unique and original work on all assignments. Please acquaint yourself with the “IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct” for the concept of plagiarism. If you are unsure of the rules and regulations regarding plagiarism, you can take a self-paced course on Understanding Plagiarism from Dr. Ted Frick from the IST department. This website is devoted to teaching people about plagiarism and it has tutorials and tests (info). Any assignment containing plagiarized material will be awarded a grade of F. No incompletes will be awarded unless there is an emergency or mutually agreed upon reason. See: https://plagiarism.iu.edu/

 

Professional Responsibilities: The course is structured so that students develop inter-related products that will culminate in a draft proposal. You are expected to continue to refine your ideas, as well as incorporate feedback from me and your advisor(s) in your subsequent drafts. In some cases, I may ask for resubmissions prior to moving forward; this is not punitive but, rather, a natural part of the research process.

 

 

 

R795 Course Tasks

 

Extra Tasks (on or before January 13):

Part 1. Plagiarism tutorial (https://plagiarism.iu.edu/). In the first week on the course (January 13) send to me a certificate of completion to Canvas. I will give you two bonus points. If you have already taken the IU Plagiarism tutorial, you are to write 2-3 paragraphs (maximum of one page single spaced paper) of what you remember about plagiarism and why it is important. You too will get two bonus points for that paper.

 

Part 2: Google Docs Introductions. Also on or before January 13, I want you all to post to introduce yourself Google Docs. Please include things like your advisor and dissertation committee members, professional/research interests, proposed dissertation topic and timeline, place where you were born as well as the place you want to live in the future, and 3-5 of your personal hobbies. There are no bonus points for this task. Tell us about your professional interests, your hobbies and other interests, where you live, and what you do for a living.

 

Task #1. Statement of Research Goals and Research Questions (Due: Jan. 23, 40 points)

Research Goals. This should address the kind of knowledge you hope to build over the first several years of your post-doctoral career, and the impact you want that knowledge to have in the world. Your plans to increase knowledge should be contextualized – for whom will the results of your research be useful, or who will be impacted by those results? If you anticipate that the results of your research will impact theory itself, what area of theory? What theory in particular? What kind of theory is it? How might you approach several years of study anticipating the accomplishment of your goals? To Submit: Write one or two paragraphs addressing the questions above. This is the long-view and broad-brush structure that communicates how you think about your problem or issue and your potential contributions.

 

Research Questions. You should nominate a research question or questions that are well rooted in prior research literature. The questions you develop should make sense given what is known in your specific area of inquiry. That is, the questions must be well articulated and justified. The questions and your reasons for asking them should be clear to an expert in your field and a general audience. You must vet questions with your primary advisor. To Submit: Provide me with a document that briefly introduces and justifies your questions. What is the gap in our understanding? What is the problem statement? What is the purpose? Add to that 1-2 paragraphs in which you define critical terms, give examples where necessary, and identify the main theories your work is connected to. Add to that 3-5 knowledge claims that you are working on developing right now. This is just a listing to give me a sense of the logic of your ideas. I'm just looking for your logic and idea progression. One of your knowledge claims should lead directly to your research problem in the form of either a tension, contradictory research findings, unsettled idea, or under-researched area. This should be no more than two pages single spaced.

 

Task #2. Research Design and Sampling Plan (Due: February 20, 30 points)

This purpose of this assignment is to show the refinement and development of your ideas. One page single spaced for the refined research questions, research design, context, etc. and one page on your sampling plan. Below are the basic elements that will be refined given your questions and context.

Refined Research Questions: Based on my feedback and your advisor’s, you should refine your research questions and critically reflect of what's feasible. No more than a paragraph.

 

Research Design. This is no more than a paragraph or two that describes the study design you are imagining right now - this will likely change as your ideas are refined. In your paragraph include the following.

Qualitative study: the overall study design (i.e., Case Study), the assumptions you are making about your study, and the specific ways in which your study is this type of design. 

Quantitative study: the dependent and independent variables under study, the assumptions you need to meet, the ways you will maximize power, and the hypothesis you are working from. 

Mixed Methods: any of the following might apply: variables, ways to address/understand your research questions, assumptions, or similar. What are you trying to understand and how does it warrant mixed methods?

Context. Describe the context under which your study will take place. What type of organization, group, or institution (and one or many)? How big is it? Link this back to your research questions - why is it important to conduct the study in this setting? What are some nuances to know about with regard to this setting?

 

Sampling Plan: This should typically be no more than one page single spaced. Describe your sampling plan, logistics, and sample characteristics.

 

Describe your population of interest and how you will get a sample.

·         What characteristics should the sample have?

·         For those of you planning a qualitative study, there are a number of related considerations you will need to articulate.

·         Why are you selecting/pursuing a sample with these features? That is, what broader population do you intend to generalize back to (or reflect)?

·         Consider issues of external validity, generalization (probabilistic and logical), and transferability.

 

How will you measure/understand sample characteristics?

·         Why have you chosen to measure these specific characteristics?

·         What materials do you need?

·         What will you need to develop?

·         What is an adequate sample size given your research question?

·         How do you know this is adequate? (From a statistical point of view, this is largely a matter of power. From a more qualitative point of view, this is largely a matter of logic and data saturation, such as consistently getting the same names when obtaining a snowball sample [or chaining].)

 

Logistics: Generate a realistic sampling plan.

·         How will you recruit the sample?

·         What features of your data collection plan can you put in to limit non-response and/or absentees (e.g., plans to revisit an organization or someone’s home if part of your sample wasn’t around the first day)?

·         What records will you keep to adequately report and otherwise handle problems of non-response?

 

Note: that you will not collect any actual data in the confines of this course. The reason for this is because data collection requires Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and we will not have the time for this endeavor. Depending on your circumstances you may however wish to begin the process of seeking IRB approval.

 

Task #3. An Analysis Plan (Due: March 19, 30 points)

Once you get the data, how will you analyze it in a way that should answer your questions? Be sure to articulate best practices from related methodological literature (e.g., statistical, qualitative, mixed methods, etc.) so as to justify your plan. Cite the relevant literature. To Submit: Two pages single spaced with an analysis plan and a reflection on the analysis plan.

 

Data Sources: 

Discuss each data source separately along with the purpose of each data source. What does each source inform?

·        If qualitative: describe the interviews, observations, documents, etc.

·        If quantitative: describe the dependent/independent variables, criterion measures, instruments, etc.

·        If mixed methods, you should have one or more of each. Describe the sequence; which comes first?

 

Data Analysis:

·        What is your unit of analysis? (individual, team, classroom, course, organization, etc.)

·        How the data informs your research questions.

·        How the data will be analyzed: coding plan, codes from previous studies, examples of codes you plan on studying, etc.

 

Task #4. Draft of Prospectus (Due: April 16, 60 points)

This is what you have been waiting for—the grant finale. Here, you are to pull together the elements in a coherent plan that follows current APA formatting expectations and is fully referenced. This should be chapters 1 (introduction) and 3 (methods).

Combine Task #1: Intro, Research Context, and Questions, Task #2: Research Design & Sampling Plan, and Task #3: Data Sources & Analysis. Then add a projected timeline and any appendices.

To Submit (in addition to Prospectus): Then add a 1-2 page personal reflection on the process and progress of your dissertation. In it, you will speculate on what will you practically need to pull off this dissertation. How feasible is it in reality? What will this look like in the world? What assumptions are you making? How will you recruit? What do you imagine is the knowledge you will contribute (in other words, what new insights and deeper understandings will we gain)? What is your plan B if you can’t put the pieces into place for this study?

 

 

Task #5 (Pick one of the three options below)

Task #5a. Blog or Wiki Journal Entries (April 9, 50 points)

In this option, you will keep a weekly (or however often you want to post) log of research thoughts and ideas. Your research log should include any of the following that are applicable on a given day:

·        Aha moments and moments of insights.

·        Important contact and connections and building up of your professional network.

·        Record of interviews, discussions, document reviews, and other activities aimed at identifying appropriate problem/context.

·        Internet or library searches you conduct as you pursue constructs, frameworks and theories – include the terms you are using for such searches.

·        References (APA style) for articles and books you have identified and expect to use in your proposal (not everything you have read, which should be a good deal more than what you use).

·        New thoughts and ideas about your dissertation project.

·        Reflections on how the work is going and fine tunings that need to be made.

·        Thoughts on strengths and weaknesses of the material you have found addressing the constructs of your interest.

To Submit: A link to your blog or journal and a two-page single spaced reflection on what you learned from your blog. This is a meta-reflection of key themes.

 

Task #5b: Reading and Exploration Reflections (April 9, 50 points)

You are reading extensively in a self-directed manner this semester about a topic or a research method. What did you learn about your topic or research method? Why is research on it important? What do you still have left to know? Are you excited? To Submit: This will be a 2-3 page single spaced paper plus a bibliography related to your research topic with at least 30 references and other appendices.

 

Task #5c: Student Self-created Similar (SSS) Option (April 9, 50 points)

You are to design your own task similar to 5a or 5b.

 

 

Task #6 (Pick one of the three options below)

Task #6. Ed.D. Students Quals Practice (April 9, 30 points)

If you have not yet taken the EdD qualifying exam, you will have the chance to practice in this course. You will have most of the semester to do this. There are two questions, one patterned after each of the regular Department Questions. I will start these at a scheduled time. You have only 3.5 hours to finish and submit your answer to each question. This is the authentic format for the quals, which is an important element of the practice. You will be writing a paper for each question. I recommend you open Word or your favorite word processor before you start, with a blank document open. Open a browser window for searching, and tabs for any other resources you normally use. Get your copy of the APA Manual, 7^th edition and make sure it is close at hand. Find a timer – from the kitchen or on your phone maybe. You can set a warning timer if you want, or just keep track of the amount of time you have left after you begin. If you are going to want drinks or snacks, get them now to have nearby. Silence your phone – and your family/roommate/pets, if appropriate. This is going to be a sprint. However, if your house catches fire during the practice, or your appendix bursts, you can try again. To Submit: Turn in these two papers to Canvas. You can turn this one in anytime.

 

Task #6b. Ph.D. Students Interview of a Former Student (April 9, 30 points)

I want you to interview a former (Ed.D. or Ph.D.) about their prospectus, proposal, and final dissertation. Just ask me for a list of IST alum names and emails. What lessons did they learn? What advice does he or she have? What were the problems did they encounter? To Submit: Write this up as a 2-page single-spaced paper and post it to Canvas. You can turn this in anytime.

 

Task #6c: Student Self-created Similar (SSS) Option (April 9, 30 points)

You are to design your own task similar to 6a or 6b, but it could also be a visual of some kind.