This course provides a comprehensive introduction to educational research as a systematic, theory-informed, and ethically grounded process of inquiry. Moving beyond viewing research as a set of technical procedures, the course frames it as a purposeful, iterative process for generating evidence to address complex problems in educational contexts. Students will develop foundational skills in formulating meaningful research questions, grounding inquiries in theoretical frameworks, and engaging critically with scholarly literature.
Throughout the course, students explore the major research traditions—quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods—and learn how design choices align with research questions, evidence needs, and ethical considerations. Emphasis is placed on coherence across all components of a study, including theory, literature, methodology, and analysis. Students are also introduced to qualitative coding and analysis as a structured yet interpretive process for making meaning from data.
A central theme of the course is the integration of alignment, rigor, and ethics across all stages of research design and implementation. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to critically evaluate existing research and develop well-aligned, feasible, and ethically responsible research proposals. This course prepares students to engage thoughtfully in scholarly inquiry and to apply systematic research principles in professional practice.
Introduction to Systematic Inquiry
Description
Introduces research as a systematic, evidence‑based way of thinking used to address complex educational problems. Emphasizes alignment, transparency, and ethical responsibility across research decisions. Establishes a conceptual foundation for understanding research as purposeful inquiry rather than a technical procedure.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
- Distinguish systematic research from reflection and program evaluation
- Explain research as an iterative, evidence‑based decision‑making process
- Identify key components that contribute to coherent and credible educational research
Developing Research Questions
Description
Examines the central role of research questions in shaping meaningful and rigorous educational inquiry. Focuses on distinguishing topics from researchable questions and aligning questions with evidence, methods, feasibility, and ethics. Addresses quantitative, qualitative, and mixed‑methods questions and common formulation errors.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
- Differentiate between research topics and well‑constructed research questions
- Develop focused, researchable questions aligned with purpose and evidence
- Evaluate research questions for feasibility, ethics, and methodological coherence
Theoretical Frameworks
Description
Explores how theory provides the conceptual foundation for educational research by grounding phenomena in existing scholarship. Emphasizes selecting and applying appropriate theoretical frameworks to guide research questions, design decisions, and interpretation. Highlights alignment between theory, context, and inquiry purpose.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
- Explain the role of theory in framing and justifying educational research
- Select theoretical frameworks aligned with specific research questions
- Articulate how theory informs research design and interpretation
The Literature Review
Description
Focuses on using scholarly literature to ground, justify, and contextualize educational research. Emphasizes synthesis over summary, appropriate source selection, and strategic organization. Highlights how literature supports theory development, clarifies constructs, and justifies research questions.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
- Synthesize scholarly literature to identify patterns, gaps, and tensions
- Integrate literature with theoretical and methodological decisions
- Use literature strategically to justify the significance of a proposed study
Research Designs: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods
Description
Introduces major research designs used in educational inquiry and how design choices align with research questions. Provides an overview of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed‑methods approaches, along with their strengths, limitations, and data sources. Emphasizes feasibility, ethics, and methodological coherence.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
- Distinguish among quantitative, qualitative, and mixed‑methods designs
- Select research designs aligned with research questions and evidence needs
- Evaluate methodological trade‑offs related to rigor, feasibility, and ethics
Alignment, Ethics, and Rigor
Description
Examines alignment, ethical responsibility, and rigor as foundational principles of high‑quality educational research. Addresses standards of rigor across quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods traditions, as well as common ethical challenges in educational settings. Emphasizes ethics as integral to all phases of research design and reporting.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
- Analyze research studies for alignment across questions, theory, and methods
- Apply appropriate standards of rigor within different research traditions
- Identify and address ethical considerations in educational research design
Introduction to Qualitative Coding and Analysis
Description
Introduces foundational approaches to analyzing qualitative data through systematic and interpretive coding practices. Examines first‑cycle coding methods and the development of themes as analytic sensemaking. Emphasizes researcher reflexivity, rigor, and credibility in qualitative interpretation.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
- Explain the purpose and logic of qualitative coding and analysis
- Apply basic first‑cycle coding strategies to qualitative data
- Describe how themes are constructed and used to represent meaning
Integrating the Research Components
Description
Synthesizes core elements of systematic inquiry by emphasizing coherence across research questions, theory, and design. Guides students in identifying and correcting misalignment and common integration problems. Frames integration as a transferable skill for research proposal development and critical evaluation of educational studies.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
- Evaluate research designs for internal coherence and alignment
- Revise research components to strengthen conceptual and methodological integration
- Apply principles of systematic inquiry to develop and critique research proposals
Dr. Jesse Moland 