1.	EPSY 8540 
Educational Psychology Research Apprenticeship 
3 credit hours
Prerequisite:  Acceptance into Educational Psychology Doctoral Program

2.	 Spring 2011
Meeting Time:  	Thursdays 4:30-7:20
Room:		Haley Center		
Instructor:	Margaret E. Ross
			4018 Haley Center
			(334) 844-3084	rossma1@mail.auburn.edu   (the first 1 = one)
Office Hours:	Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 3:00-4:00 pm
_____________________________________________________________________________________

3.	Required Resources
Various assigned readings (handouts)

       Suggested Resources
	Pedhazur, E. J. & Schmelkin, L. P. (1991). Measurement, Design, and Analysis: An Integrated Approach. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers, Hillsdale, New Jersey.

	Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (any recent edition). Washington D.C., American Psychological Association.	

4.	Course Description
This course is designed to provide students with the philosophical foundations and skills needed to conduct a publishable research project or dissertation research. We will focus on developing statements of research philosophy and interest and on applying research knowledge learned in methods and statistics courses through a class research project that contributes to the field of educational psychology.

5.	Course Objectives
Students will:
•	Write statements of research philosophy and interest
•	Summarize and analyze methods and analysis procedures in published research.
•	Complete IRB modules needed for IRB approval of research 
•	Ethics
•	History
•	Students in research
•	Defining research
•	Assessing risk
•	Informed consent
•	Privacy and confidentiality
•	Protected populations
•	Research with Children
•	Research in Public Schools
•	Internet research
•	Plan and execute a research study, including 
•	identifying a topic
•	planning methods (instruments and permission)
•	conducting a literature review
•	seeking IRB approval
•	analyzing data
•	interpreting and discussing results

Course Objectives Continued
•	Prepare a manuscript for presentation and/or publication.
•	Compare and Contrast dissertation and manuscript formats
•	Explore research websites 

6.	Tentative Course Content and Schedule

Class 1  1/13/11
•	Introduction to Course
•	Discussion of research interests
•	Grouping for research projects
•	Planning for research project (getting started)
•	Assignment (individual): Statement of Research Interests due class 3and IRB module completion due in class 4
•	Readings in philosophical underpinnings related to research (handout and resources provided).  Discussion and written statements of research philosophy due in two weeks (class 4).

Class 2  1/20/11 
	Group Work Session (I am at an evaluator conference)
•	Group planning/conducting research
•	IRB 
•	Assignment (individual): Discussion and written statements of research philosophy due in two weeks (class 4).

Class 3  1/27/11
•	Discussion of readings
•	Group planning/conducting research
•	IRB continued 
•	Assignment (individual):  Bring verification of IRB Module completion next week.

Class 4  2/3/11
•	Presentation of research philosophy (informal discussion and individual statement due)
•	Group planning/conducting research (Writing IRB)
•	Assignment (group):  Complete and submit IRB

Class 5 2/10/11
•	Discussion of group research projects
•	Group planning/conducting research
•	Exploring Research Websites
•	Assignment (individual): Continue exploring Research Websites…you will report on findings in 4 weeks (class 9).  Bring to class information on the websites you explore for all class members and for the instructor.
•	Assignment (group):  research activities as defined by group

Class 6  2/17/11
•	Discussion of authorship
•	Group planning/conducting research
•	Assignment (group):  research activities as defined by group

Class 7  2/24/11
 	Group Work Session (I am at EERA)
•	Group planning/conducting research
•	Assignment (group) research activities as defined by group

Class 8  3/3/11
•	Group planning/conducting research
•	Assignment (group): research activities as defined by group

Class 9 3/10/11
•	Reports on research websites (bring website information)
•	Manuscript and Dissertation Formats
•	Group planning/conducting research
•	Assignment 1 (group): Begin the manuscript (introduction, literature, theory, methods)
•	Assignment 2 (group): research activities as defined by group

Spring Break

Class 10  3/24/11
•	Peer review of manuscript
•	Group planning/conducting research
•	Assignment (group): research activities as defined by group

Class 11  3/24/11
•	Submission to journals
•	Submission to conferences
•	Group planning/conducting research
•	Assignment (individual):  Bring journals to consider for submission of research (week 13)
•	Assignment (group): research activities as defined by group

Class 12  3/31/11
•	Grant Writing with guest speaker
•	Review and discussion of journals
•	Group planning/conducting research (include submission to conference and journal)

Class 13  4/7/11
•	Journals…what journals have you decided on and why?
•	Group planning/conducting research
•	Assignment (group): Completion of manuscript

Class 14  4/14/11
•	Peer review of results and discussion sections of manuscript
•	Completion of power point for presentation at conference

Class 15  4/21/11
•	Roundtable presentation of power point printouts and discussion

		
7.	Course Requirements and Evaluation

Students will be assessed holistically by the professor on the following components:
•	Statement of research philosophy (15%)
•	Statement of research interest (15%)
•	Attendance, attitude, and participation in class discussions and exercises (20%) (as observed by instructor)*
•	Class research contribution and collaboration (15%) (as observed by instructor)
•	Individual research project progress/contribution (20%) (as reported in class by group)
•	Completion of IRB and Website assignments (15%) (proof of completion needed)

*Note the emphasis on attendance, attitude and participation. Students are expected to attend all class sessions. If an absence is necessary, please contact the professor prior to class and make arrangements to make up work due to the excused absence. Please be aware that more than one excused absence will result in penalizing the attendance portion of the grade.  If more than one absence is unavoidable, the student is expected to provide documentation for the reason and discuss options for completing the course with the instructor.

8.	Class Policy Statements

Attendance Policy
•	Excellent attendance is required in order to earn an A (no more than two absences) and good attendance is required in order to earn a B (no more than 3 absences).  Being 20 minutes late or more for class will count toward absences.  For example,  if you are 30 minutes late for 6 classes, this will count as one class absence.
•	I will start class on time so if you are late you will need to get notes from another student.  
•	I will allow only two lab make-ups.  If you miss more classes you will not be able to earn the points for the lab.

Late Assignments Policy  
•	Assignments turned in late will receive a 2% reduction in earned points per day.  The only exception will be in the case of emergency.
•	Except for work requiring calculations, all work must be typed or it will not be graded.  Late penalty will be applied to work completed in writing and then turned in late in typed format for a grade.

Incompletes and Withdrawals   
Grades associated with incomplete course work or withdrawal from class will be assigned in strict conformity to University policy (see Auburn University Bulletin).  If you wish to drop this course you may do so by the 10th class day with no grade assignment. From the 10th class day to mid-quarter a W (withdrawn-passing) grade will be recorded in your transcripts. After this period withdrawal from the course will only be granted under unusual circumstances and must be approved by the Dean of the College of Education.

Note that a new incomplete grade (IN) policy is in effect.  The new policy requires that students complete a form requesting that an IN grade be assigned.  If this form in not completed and given to the instructor of the class, a grade will be assigned with a score of zero (0) for work that has not been completed and turned in by the time the instructor reports grades.

Academic Misconduct 
The Department of EFLT recognizes university policy regarding academic misconduct. Violations include, but are not limited to: plagiarism, unauthorized assistance during examinations, submitting another’s work product as your own, using another’s words as your own without appropriate citation, sharing unauthorized materials with another that contain questions or answers to examinations, altering or attempting to alter assigned grades. In accordance with University policy regarding academic misconduct, students may be subject to several sanctions upon violations of the Student Academic Honesty Code. See the Tiger Cub publication for the current year for specifics regarding academic misconduct as well as student’s rights and responsibilities associated with the Code.

Disability Accommodations 
Students who need accommodations are asked to arrange a meeting with me as soon as possible.  If you have a conflict with my office hours, an alternate time can be arranged.  To set up this meeting, please contact me by e-mail.  Bring a copy of your Accommodation Memo and an Instructor Verification Form to the meeting.  If you do not have an Accommodation Memo but need accommodations, make an appointment with The Program for Students with Disabilities, 1244 Haley Center, 844-2096.