SI MON FRASER UNIVERSITY
Fall Semester 2001
EDUC 222 - 3
?
KristaMuis
Research Methods in Educational Psychology
Office: EDB 8645
Phone: 291-4548
D01.00 ?
E-mail: krmuis@sfu.ca
Tuesdays 12:30-15:20 in WM)( 3253
PREREQUISITES
Corequisite: Educ 220
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
generaliz ability, 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 midterm and a final
examination, each of which will contribute 30% to the final grade. The completion of two
assignments is also required, each of which will contribute 20% to the final grade. Both
examinations will consist of short answer and essay questions, and will be in-class, closed book
exams. The first assignment will require a critique of a published research study. The second
assignment will require the completion of an in-class research study.
REQUIRED READINGS
Suter, W. N. (1998). Primer of Educational Research. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
One additional reading will be assigned for the purposes of the first assignment.
