Syllabus for EDD-8100

Qualitative Research Methods and Applications

Course Description

This course is designed to equip doctoral students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to design and conduct rigorous qualitative research for their capstone scholar-practitioner projects. The course emphasizes theoretical understanding, methodological application, ethical considerations, and effective communication of qualitative findings.

Topics

Philosophical foundations of qualitative inquiry
Research question development and problem formulation
Qualitative research design and methodological approaches
Ethical considerations in qualitative research
Data collection strategies and techniques
Qualitative data analysis and interpretation
Ensuring quality and trustworthiness in qualitative research
Communicating and applying qualitative research findings

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you should be able to:

CO 1 Examine the philosophical foundations and theoretical frameworks that guide qualitative research.

CO 2 Formulate appropriate qualitative research questions that address organizational problems of practice.

CO 3 Design qualitative research studies using appropriate methods and sampling strategies for specific research contexts.

CO 4 Evaluate ethical considerations in qualitative research design and implementation.

CO 5 Apply rigorous data collection techniques appropriate for diverse stakeholder groups.

CO 6 Analyze qualitative data using systematic approaches and appropriate technological tools.

CO 7 Evaluate the trustworthiness and quality of qualitative research findings.

CO 8 Communicate qualitative research findings effectively to diverse stakeholders to inform organizational practice.

Study Materials

You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. Please visit the following website to purchase course materials: University's textbook supplier

Required Textbook(s)

No textbook required.

Course Structure

Qualitative Research Methods and Applications is a 3-credit, online course consisting of 4 modules. Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.

Module 1: Foundations of Qualitative Inquiry
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 4, CO5
Module 2: Research Design and Approaches
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 2, CO 3, CO 5

Module 3: Data Collection Strategies and Techniques
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 3, CO 4. CO 5, CO 7
Module 4: Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 6, CO 7, CO 8

Assessment Methods

You are required to participate in the following for formal work in the course:

Write online discussion forum posts.
Complete written assignments.
Participate in peer engagement activities.
Complete a final research proposal.

See below for details.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Promoting Originality

One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in this Plagiarism Detection Tool Google document.

Discussion Forums

In addition to an ungraded Introductions Forum, you are required to complete 4 discussion forums. The discussion forums are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules.

Communication with your mentor and among fellow students is a critical component of online learning. Participation in online class discussions involves two principal activities: an initial post to a discussion question and at least one meaningful response to a classmate’s original post.

An initial post should articulate views supported by research, professional white papers, and evidence-based practice, moving beyond opinion to expert perspectives.

A meaningful response to a classmate's original post should be relevant to its content, add value, and advance the discussion. This entails posing questions and sharing ideas.

At the doctoral level, discourse requires a scholarly voice, careful analysis of evidence, and engagement in the academic literature. Therefore, you must support your views with published research and professional resources.

Your participation in discussion forums should be timely, constructive, mature, and respectful. All postings should be well organized, documented, carefully written, and properly proofread and edited.

Note: Be sure to review the Discussion Forum rubric located in the Evaluation Rubrics folder of the course website for grading requirements. Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Written Assignments

You are required to complete 4 written assignments. The peer engagement activities are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. They are also designed as an integral part of your final research proposal.

Peer Engagement Activities

You are required to complete 4 peer engagement assignments. The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. They are designed as scaffolded components of your final research proposal.

Final Research Proposal

You are required to complete a final research proposal. You will integrate the research philosophy, questions, methodological approach, data collection protocol, and analysis plan that you have developed and refined through module activities and feedback from mentors and peers into a comprehensive qualitative research proposal. For specific details and requirements, refer to the Final Research Proposal section of the course website.

Grading and Evaluation

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

4 online discussions are worth 20% of your final grade.
4 written assignments are worth 40% of your final grade.
4 peer engagement activities are worth 20% of your final grade.
The final research proposal is worth 20% of your final grade.

All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:

A is 93 to 100.
A minus is 90 to 92.
B plus is 88 to 89.
B is 83 to 87.
C is 73 to 82.
F is any grade below a 73.

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or higher on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., assignments, discussion postings, projects). Graduate students must maintain a B average overall to remain in good academic standing.

Strategies for Success

First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Read carefully the entire syllabus, making sure that all aspects of the course are clear to you and that you have all the materials required for the course.

Take time to read the entire Student Handbook. The Handbook answers many questions about how to proceed through the course, how to schedule exams, and how to get the most from your educational experience at Thomas Edison State University.

Arrange to take your examination(s) by following the instructions in this Syllabus and the Student Handbook.

Familiarize yourself with the learning management systems environment—how to navigate it and what the various course areas contain. If you know what to expect as you navigate the course, you can better pace yourself and complete the work on time.

If you are not familiar with web-based learning be sure to review the processes for posting responses online and submitting assignments before class begins.

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

To stay on track throughout the course, begin each week by consulting the Course Calendar. The Course Calendar provides an overview of the course and indicates due dates for submitting assignments, posting discussions, and submitting the final project.

Check Announcements regularly for new course information.

Using AI Ethically: A Guide for TESU Students

TESU's Academic Code of Conduct permits student AI use in support of their writing and research process--not as a replacement for original writing.

Document AI use with an acknowledgment statement at the end of each assignment, noting the tools and prompts used. Cite any AI-generated content on the References page.

Please review Using AI Ethically: A Guide for TESU Students for more detailed information.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Thomas Edison State University recognizes, values, and relies upon the diversity of our community. We strive to provide equitable, inclusive learning experiences that embrace our students’ backgrounds, identities, experiences, abilities, and expertise.

Accessibility and Accomodations

Thomas Edison State University adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990 and ADAAA, 2008) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

The Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) oversees requests for academic accommodations related to disabilities, including:

A student who is pregnant, postpartum, or parenting a newborn who is not the birth parent [as covered under NJSA18A].
Students requesting academic accommodation for a short-term or temporary illness.
TESU students requesting academic accommodation for an injury.

Information can be found on the Office of Student Accessibility Services webpage.

Questions can be sent to ADA@tesu.edu.

Academic Policies

Familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies, including those related to the following list, to ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University:

Academic integrity.
Course late submissions.
Extensions for the course.
Grading policies.

For more, see: