Introduction to Advanced Academic Study & Writing

R7000/B7001/E7111

Introduction to Advanced Academic Study & Writing

Fall I 2008

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ArgosyUniversity

COURSE SYLLABUS

R7000/B7001/E7111

Introduction to Advanced Academic Study & Writing

Faculty Information

Faculty Name: Dr. Qi Chen – Fall I 2008

Campus: Chicago/Loop

Contact Information:

Telephone Number: 312-777-7650

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 am– 5:00 pm/by Appointment

Short Faculty Bio:

Philosophy

I have been working in higher education my entire professional career after I completed my Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Language in 1980. First I taught English as a second language at a major university in Shanghai, China. During the next 8 years, I taught freshman and sophomore English reading, writing and composition while serving on curriculum research committees. I was also a teacher in elementary and high schools during the 1990s.

I became a librarian in 1991 and have been providing research assistance and conducting research workshops and seminars for graduate and doctoral students as well as for faculty for those 16 years. I have also been serving on and chairing dissertation committees since 2007.

I earned a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from ArgosyUniversity in 2006, a Master of Education from IndianaStateUniversity in 1991 and a Master in Library and Information Science from DominicanUniversity (formally RosaryCollege) in 1996

Course description:

This course demystifies the doctoral level research process and provides a solid foundation for academic writing by analyzing and evaluating current research articles, literature reviews, and dissertations. Emphasis will be placed on APA style guidelines, preparation for the doctoral comprehensive examination, and university publication requirements. It also includes a self-inventory based on state and national standards and develops a self-improvement plan that is the basis for activities during internship.

Course Pre-requisites: None

Required Textbook:

Technology:PentiumIII CPU/ Windows 98; 128MB RAM printer; Microsoft Office: Acrobat (full version); Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 (PC), 5.0 (MAC), or Netscape Navigator 4.08; Norton Antivirus.

Course length: Friday Sept. 6th– Sunday, Sept.8th

Friday Oct. 3rd – Sunday, Oct.5th

Friday 6:00pm – 9:59pm

Sat: 9:00am – 4:59pm

Sun: 9:00am – 12:59pm

Credit Value: 3.0

Program Outcomes:

• Become adept at using APA style formatting.
• Critically evaluate prior research that supports or confirms the proposed study.
• Evaluate current literature and compile reference list.
• Critically discuss expected results in the context of knowledge of relevant theory, policy and practice.
• Consider possible conclusions that take into account limitations of their research.
• Develop a perspective for a dissertation.
• Complete a self-inventory based on state and national standards.
• Develop a self-improvement plan that is the basis for activities during field experience.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to understand the:

• Field and Internship Experience
• The Comprehensive Examination
• The Dissertation Guide
• Article and Electronic Dissertations Online Search

• APA Formatting, Review
• Prospectus v. Dissertation
• Dissertation sections

• Evaluating prior studies
• Problem/Purpose/Background and need for the study

• Theoretical Foundation of the Study
• Research questions and hypotheses
• Limitations and Delimitations
• Definitions
• Significance of the Study to the Field of Education

• Methodology
• Literature Review

• Turning the Prospectus into a Proposal
• The Defense Process
• Revising the Proposal into a Dissertation

• Results, Discussion, and Recommendation Sections
• Review of Human Subject(s)

• Final Prospectus Presentations, Critique, and Feedback

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