Describe the problem you wish to research and state the specific research question(s) or study purpose. Try to choose a topic that actually pertains to a topic you truly feel connected to and/or is a topic you believe you could implement at your classroom/school/district in relation to the themes of learning and human development.
Provide some brief background from the literature and/or from your personal observations at your school/district. You should also provide a rationale for why it is important to study this problem. If you are using quantitative methods, state your hypotheses in this section.
When you state the study purpose or research question, you should use a statement as direct as
The purpose of this study is …
This led to the research question of this study which is …
Review of related literature
The purpose of your literature review includes the following:
Critique strengths/weaknesses of existing studies—provide information about the sample, the methods of data collection including the instruments used, data analysis, validity and reliability issues, and the credibility of the findings. You should absolutely apply terms we have been addressing in the course to these studies.
Provide contextual understanding of the phenomenon you are studying
Demonstrate how the proposed study adds to knowledge base
Identify patterns
Identify gaps in existing research
Identify contradictions in existing research
Rationalize methods
Justify hypotheses
CAUTION: This should be written as a synthesis or argument, not as a summary of each of your studies.
Data Collection methods
Sample: Provide a thorough description and justification for choosing your participants. If you know your population or school/ district information, use that to provide appropriate demographic information. You want to provide whatever information is necessary to know about the participants and the context to better understand your research question.
Methods: Explain thoroughly how you plan to collect the data (observations, interviews, surveys, etc.). Include the actual instrument in an appendix or include sample(s) of your data collection procedures within the test of the paper. Provide a justification for your methods including the appropriateness of this method for the problem being studied. Apply terms from the course. This should be feasible for you to carry out as an educator.
Data analysis methods
Describe the methods of data analysis and provide a justification. Assess issues of validity and reliability or trustworthiness.
Conclusion
Address the study limitations. Also explain how you think the information gleaned from conducting this study will help you as an educator, your participants and possibly other educators. In other words, what changes might you make in your classroom or school or district? Briefly explain how you could evaluate any changes.
APA/mechanical issues
All parts of the document should be in appropriate APA format. This includes:
Title page with running head
Abstract
Reference page
Any appendices (optional)
Within text citations
Header
Headings
1” document margins
The idea behind the learning paper is to help you navigate your own personal research interests that could be tangentially related to the content of this course. Students will author a Learning Paper based upon various factors, including professional and academic interests, doctoral program area and progression within a given program, participation in ongoing research projects, practitioner inquiry efforts, and/or school (organization) improvement processes. Given the likely breadth of experience in our course community, it is imperative that we differentiate this substantial research and writing assignment to best meet everyone’s needs. You will have three options for completing a Learning Case Study this semester: A literature review, a research proposal, or a case study. The expectation is to write a 3000-word manuscript that is of publishable quality.
Learning Paper:
Organizational leaders for our contemporary society must have global competency to lead ethically and cultivate citizens for our democracy who understand the world context. Leaders knowledgeable about learning and human development, who are critical thinkers, respectful, and valuing diversity, help promote student success essential for our society.
First, select a critical issue impacting our contemporary school(s) and society that pertains to the concept of learning and human development. Examples could include social emotional learning, economic, cultural, political, technological or educational connections around the world that impact locally, or new trends such as learning during COVID, educating refugees, a wave of new immigrant enrolment in a school or issues associated with educating specific groups of immigrants, school and community conflict over race, class, gender, sexual identity, or other differences in a conflict situation in school and community, or terror threats, real or perceived.
Last Completed Projects
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