OEL 690: Research Methodologies (Graduate Level)

Course Description

This course will focus on providing research techniques and language for both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Topics will include developing research questions and hypotheses,conducting library/literature searches, research limitations, and other research design considerations. The applied research project is a part of the Capstone Seminar course. The research project should be a work-based project focused on a research problem. Formerly titled: Applied Research Project (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • OEL 501: Learning Community

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Explain the various frameworks related to designing a research proposal (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches).
  2. Discuss ethical issues associated with a research problem, questions, data collection, analysis and interpretation of the data.
  3. Develop a research strategy for writing the research proposal.
  4. Formulate research hypotheses and research questions (for a qualitative or quantitative study).
  5. Create a work-based project.

Applicable Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

  • PLO 3. Develop professional communication skills.
  • PLO 13. Develop a research project proposal that clearly defines a problem, identifies project objectives or research questions, recommends and supports methodologies to address the above, and hypothesizes resultant actions.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsPoints

Discussions (Weeks 1-8 @ 30 points per week)

240

Week 1: Project Topic - Supporting Sources

40

Week 2: Introduction and Problem Statement

40

Week 3: Background of Study - Research Question

40

Week 4: Literature Review

40

Week 5: Draft Capstone Project Methodology

40

Week 6: Final Capstone Project Methodology - Resulting Actions

40

Week 7: Formal COSC IRB Submission

40

Week 8: Final Project: Capstone Proposal

480

Total Points

1,000

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle

  • Option 1: Hard Copy of Text- Creswell, J. W. & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Approaches. 6th ed. Sage Publications. ISBN-13: 978-1-07-181794-0; ISBN 10: 1-07-181794-9, or
  • Option 2: Short-term availability of text in electronic version available through Charter Oak Bookstore. Permanent availability in electronic version available through Sage Publishing or other online sites.

Supplemental Required Readings / Resources

  • Links to the supplemental readings and articles are provided in the course shells.

Course Schedule

WeekPLOsSLOsReadings and ExercisesAssignments

1

3,13

1

Introduction to Research - Choosing Your Topic

Creswell Textbook:

  • Chapter One: Selection of a Research Approach
  • Chapter Two: Review of the Literature
  • Introduction Discussion (not graded)
  • Discussion # 1
  • Discussion # 2
  • Learning Activity 1: Project Topic & Supporting Sources

2

3,13

1,3

Introduction and Problem/Purpose Statement

Creswell Textbook:

  • Chapter Five: The Introduction
  • Chapter Six: The Purpose Statement

Article:

Buckley, M. R., Ferris, G. R., Bernardin, H. J., & Harvey, M. G. (1998). The disconnect between the science and practice of management. Business Horizons, 41(2), 31.

(Note: articles are available in the Charter Oak Library)

  • Discussion # 1
  • Learning Activity 1: Introduction & Problem Statement

3

3,13

1,4

Background of Study - Literature Review - Research Questions

Creswell Textbook:

  • Chapter Three: The Use of Theory
  • Chapter Seven: Research Questions and Hypothesis
  • Discussion # 1
  • Learning Activity 1: Research Question

4

13

2

Ethics in Research - The IRB

Creswell Textbook:

  • Chapter Four: Writing Strategies and Ethical Considerations
  • Discussion # 1
  • Learning Activity 1: Literature Review

5

3,13

1,3

Research Methodologies - Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed Methods

Creswell Textbook:

  • Chapter Eight: Quantitative Methods
  • Chapter Nine: Qualitative Methods
  • Discussion # 1
  • Learning Activity 1: Capstone Methodology

6

3,13

1,3

Data Analysis

Creswell Textbook:

  • Chapter Ten: Mixed Methods
  • Discussion # 1
  • Learning Activity 1: Capstone Methodology

7

3,13

2,3,5

Preparing Your Charter Oak Institutional Review Board (IRB)

(Due to the amount of written assignment work, there are not any readings for this week)

  • Discussion # 1
  • Learning Activity 1:Draft COSC IRB Submission & COSC Informed Consent Form

8

3,13

3,5

Final Project: Capstone Proposal

(Due to the amount of written assignment work, there are not any readings for this week)

  • Discussion # 1
  • Learning Activity 1: Final Project: Capstone Proposal and Final IRB Application for Review of Research
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.