MON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Fall Semester 1999

EDUC 222 - 3

Dr. J. Martin

Research Methods in Educational ?

Office: MPX 8642

Psychology ?

Tel: 291-3529

D01.00 ?

E-mail: martina@sfu.ca

PREREQUISITE

Corequisite: Educ 220

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course consists of an introductory survey of research methods used in developing and testing

theories in educational psychology, and in evaluating educational and psychological interventions.

Its primary aims are: (1) to assist students to become informed, critical consumers of research in

educational psychology, and (2) to provide a very initial introduction to practices of inquiry in the

psychology of education. Topics covered will include: (a) research as a process and practice of

inquiry; (b) research purposes, questions, and hypotheses; (c) types of research and research designs;

(d) issues of reliability, validity, consistency, coherence, empirical and conceptual generalizability,

and "yield;" (e) data collection and treatment; and (f) critiques of educational psychology and its

practices of inquiry. Seminar activities will include discussions of course readings, application

exercises, critical studies of published research in educational psychology, and the design and

simulated conduct of research studies.

REQUIREMENTS

Evaluation of student performance will be based on responses to a mid-term and a final

examination, each of which will contribute 30% to the final grade, and on the completion of two

assignments, each of which will contribute 20% to the final grade. Both examinations will consist

of short answer and essay questions. Both will be in-class, closed book examinations. The first

assignment will require the completion and report of an in-class simulation of a research study.

The second assignment will require a critique of a published research study.

COURSE READINGS

The required text will be:

Suter, W. N. (1998). Primer of Educational Research. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Additional readings may be assigned and distributed at the discretion of the instructor.