EDEM 690 - Research
Methods: Theory and Practice
Calendar Description
Overview of the epistemological foundations of a range of research
methods, including but not limited to quantitative, philosophical,
qualitative, arts-based, and mixed methods. Students will learn
techniques to conduct research and to develop a research proposal.
Instructor
Prof. Elizabeth
Patitsas
Office hours: by appointment
Class
Monday 5:35 - 8:25 pm
Education Building Room 434 (Note: as of March 30, 2020, the
course is online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.)
Communication
We'll be using Slack for our
class discussion forum this term. (New to Slack? Video
introduction here.)
Rather than emailing Elizabeth, post your question on Slack or a
direct message (DM) to Elizabeth on Slack.
Course Policies
Safe Space Statement:
We are committed to nurturing a space where students, teaching
assistants, lecturers, and professors can all engage in the
exchange of ideas and dialogue, without fear of being made to feel
unwelcome or unsafe on account of biological sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity or expression, race/ethnicity,
religion, linguistic and cultural background, age, physical or
mental ability, or any other aspect integral to one's personhood.
We therefore recognize our responsibility, both individual and
collective, to strive to establish and maintain an environment
wherein all interactions are based on empathy and mutual respect
for the person, acknowledging differences of perspectives, free
from judgment, censure, and/or stigma.
In keeping with the professional culture of teaching and learning,
the Faculty of Education community believes that our teaching and
learning spaces should model such professional environments. As a
community, we are committed to creating authentic opportunities
where understanding of teaching and learning is co-constructed
between instructors and students. In order for us to create these
learning environments, we are expected to demonstrate awareness
of, respect for and commitment to the behaviours and actions of
professionals. As members of the Faculty of Education community,
we are expected to be accountable to ourselves and others and to
be engaged, collegial and accessible. By doing so, we are more
fully able to share together in the types of critical dialogue,
creative thinking and reflective practice expected of
professionals.
Scent Free Environment:
This classroom and associated office hours are a scent free
environment. You must refrain from wearing perfume, cologne
and body spray in these spaces out of respect for people
with neurological & respiratory issues that may be affected by
these scents.
Accommodations:
Students with disabilities who require accommodations should
discuss their needs with at least one of the instructor and/or the
Office for Students with Disabilities
(https://www.mcgill.ca/osd/).
Students who are pregnant and/or caring for a dependent also often
may find it helpful to receive academic accommodations. McGill's
guidelines for accommodations for students who are pregnant and/or
caring for a dependent may be found at https://www.mcgill.ca/study/2018-2019/university_regulations_and_resources/graduate/gi_accommodation_pregnancy_caring_dependants
Missed Class Policy:
To make up a missed class without penalty, you must inform me via
DM on Slack with more than 24 hours notice that
you cannot attend the class in question. Missed worksheets should
then be completed at home and submitted at the start of the next
class.
I do not require doctor's notes for missed classes, because they
are a drain on the health care system (and sick students)! I also
want to explicitly note that I believe mental health is an equally
valid reason to miss a class. Other valid reasons for missing
class include: bereavement, personal crises, care for a dependent,
and presenting at an academic conference.
Snow Day Policy:
In the rare event that McGill closes the campus for a snow day, we
will still have class at the usual time --- but online! I'll set
up a Google Hangouts or similar videoconference for class;
information will be posted on Slack.
Academic Integrity:
McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore, all
students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating,
plagiarism and other academic offenses under the Code of Student
Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures” (see http://www.mcgill.ca/students/srr/honest/
for more information).
Land Acknowledgment
This course takes place on land which has long served as a site of
meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous peoples, including the
Haudenosaunee and Anishinabeg nations. Want to help with
decolonizing this land? Decolonizing
means returning the land to Indigenous groups. If you have
the means, you can help decolonizing efforts by donating to legal
efforts to return
land back to Indigenous
groups and/or protecting
Indigenous lands.
Learning Objectives
- Enrich their
knowledge of the epistemological foundations of a range of
research paradigms and approaches
- Critically evaluate
published studies, situating one’s own research ideas within
relevant bodies of work
- Discuss and
appreciate the complex and sensitive ethical issues involved
in research with human participants
- Discuss validity and
reliability issues in different research paradigms
- Explore various data
collection and analysis techniques, tools, and strategies
- Apply the ideas and
techniques learned in this course to articulate a research
question and design a research proposal
- Explore the
relationship between research and action
- Engage in collegial
inquiry and collaborative reflection with peers
Schedule &
Readings
See schedule & readings
Assessment
See assessment