Master s Thesis/Project Research EDCI 597

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Curriculum & Instruction

Master’s Thesis/Project Research EDCI 597

Overview

The Master’s Thesis/Project Research is the culminating activity of the Master of Arts Degree. It demonstrates the competence and quality of your work.

The following are several ways the Master’s Thesis/Project Research can be approached. Specific details regarding each approach will be addressed in upcoming pages:

1. Education Project 2. Research Study 3. Action Research 4. Practicum 5. Thesis

Steps in Completing the Master’s Thesis/Project Research:

1. Invite a faculty member to be your advisor for the research. 2. Meet with your advisor to discuss potential research ideas.

3. Present a written proposal (see proposal form) to your advisor who will take it to the faculty in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction for approval.

4. The Master’s Project or Research must be completed within one year from the beginning of the research to completion. If students have not completed within the year, they must re-register for the course and pay for three (3) additional units to allow for another year to complete. A further extension will require departmental approval.

5. When the master’s thesis/project research is completed, present the paper and artifacts to the advisor for evaluation.

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Curriculum and Instruction Faculty

Curriculum & Instruction faculty are committed to excellence in student work. Each faculty member has engaged in research and, thus, the faculty understands the time and commitment it takes to pursue this academic goal. The faculty is here to support you in gaining a meaningful academic experience. Please feel welcome to contact us with ideas, questions, and concerns. The following are the Curriculum & Instruction faculty and their specializations:

Sandy Balli, Ph.D.

[email protected] 951-785-2270

Qualitative Research Cooperative Learning Middle School Education

Lolita Campbell, Ed.D.

Student Teaching Director Home Schooling

Linda Caviness, Ph.D. Chair [email protected]

951-785-2484

Neuroeducation/Cognitive Science Philosophy and Leadership

Liberal Studies Co-director Language and Literacy

Mirtha Miller, Ph.D.

Reading and Bilingual Education Elementary Education

Language and Literacy

Cartha Tennille, Ed.D., Visiting Professor [email protected]

951-785-2226

Assessment and Evaluation Secondary Education Curriculum and Instruction

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Education Project

An Education Project for the Master’s Degree can be selected in conjunction with your advisor. It should be scholarly and professional.

If you choose to do an Education Project, you must first complete a 10- to 15-page scholarly literature review on the topic of the project. The purpose of the literature review is to survey the current knowledge base and to determine how your project can add to a better understanding of the topic.

Ideas for a potential Education Project:

1. An integrated unit 2. A simulation 3. A children’s book

4. A book that facilitates learning in your discipline and/or understandings in your current profession

5. A specialized curriculum in a discipline

Steps in Completing an Education Project:

1. Consult regularly with a faculty advisor at each step. 2. Determine the topic and nature of the project.

3. Complete a 10- to 15-page literature review and submit a preliminary copy to your faculty advisor (APA style most recent edition).

4. Submit a written proposal (see proposal form) to your faculty advisor who will meet with the C&I faculty for approval.

5. Upon approval, complete the Education Project within one year.

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Research Study

A Research Study for the Master’s Degree can be selected in conjunction with your advisor. It should be based on original qualitative or quantitative research that you conduct. The Research Study may be on a topic already studied as an extension or clarification of that study.

If you choose to do a Research Study, you must first complete a 10- to 15-page scholarly literature review on the topic of the research. The purpose of the literature review is to survey the current knowledge base and to determine how your research can add to a better understanding of the topic.

Components of the Research Study (APA style most recent edition): 1. Cover page

2. Table of Contents 3. Abstract

4. Introduction (including Problem, Purpose, Research Questions) 5. Literature Review (10 to 15 pages)

6. Methodology 7. Findings 8. Conclusions 9. References

Steps in Completing a Research Study:

1. Consult regularly with a faculty advisor at each step. 2. Determine the topic and nature of the research study.

3. Complete a 10- to 15-page literature review and submit a preliminary copy to your faculty advisor.

5. Upon approval, complete the Research Study within one year.

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Action Research

Action Research for the Master’s Degree can be selected in conjunction with your advisor. Action Research is conducted with your own students with the intent to make a change in some aspect of a classroom, educational environment, a district, a curriculum and instruction plan, or a social justice issue.

If you choose to do Action Research, you must first complete a 10- to 15-page scholarly literature review on the topic of the action research. The purpose of the literature review is to survey the current knowledge base and to determine how your Action Research can add to a better understanding of the topic.

Components of an Action Research paper (APA style most recent edition): 1. Cover page

4. Introduction (including Context of your setting, Problem, Purpose, Research Questions) 5. Literature Review (10 to 15 pages)

6. Methodology 7. Findings

8. Conclusions and impact on the students, classroom, school, or community studied. 9. References

Steps in Completing Action Research:

1. Consult regularly with a faculty advisor at each step. 2. Determine the topic and nature of the action research.

5. Upon approval, complete the action research within one year.

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Practicum

A Practicum encompasses active involvement in some aspect of education (other than your own classroom). The Practicum will need to be planned and coordinated with a faculty advisor and, in some cases, with other entities at La Sierra University and the practicum site.

If you choose to do a Practicum, you must first complete a 10- to 15-page scholarly literature review on the topic of your practicum and the area in which the Practicum experience is located. The purpose of the literature review is to survey the current knowledge base and to determine how your Practicum can add to a better understanding of the topic.

The Practicum Experience can be reported in a variety of ways, and must include the following:

1. A journal of your activities.

2. An e-portfolio of your experience including pictures along with a synthesis of what went well, what could have been improved, what you learned, and how that impacts your academic and career goals.

3. The literature review paper (APA style most recent edition).

4. A public presentation to a group selected in conjunction with your advisor.

Steps in Completing a Practicum Experience:

1. Consult regularly with a faculty advisor at each step. 2. Determine the topic, location, and nature of the practicum.

5. Upon approval, complete the Practicum experience within one year.

6. Submit the completed Practicum to your faculty advisor for assessment and determine how the Practicum will be publically presented.

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Thesis

A Thesis is a comprehensive scholarly paper. The Thesis for the Master’s Degree should be between 50-70 pages. It is an exhaustive study of a particular topic and the theorists and

researchers who have conducted scholarly work on the topic. A thesis is a good option for those students wishing to pursue education beyond a master’s degree.

Components of a Thesis (APA style most recent edition): 1. Cover page

4. Introduction

5. Comprehensive Literature Review including the history, theories, and theorists who are prominent in the field you are studying. The Literature Review should also include a comprehensive integrated review of the relevant scholarly studies on the topic. 6. Synthesis of viewpoints

7. Conclusions and contributions to the body of knowledge on the topic 8. Suggestions for future research in the topic

Steps in Completing a Thesis:

1. Consult regularly with a faculty advisor at each step. 2. Determine the topic for the Thesis.

4. Upon approval, complete a 50-70 page Thesis and submit a preliminary copy to your faculty advisor.

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Master of Arts, Curriculum & Instruction

Master’s Project or Research Proposal (EDCI 597)

In order to complete your Master of Arts degree, you must do a project, thesis, or research study. In order to accomplish this course/program requirement, you need to request a faculty advisor and have C&I faculty approval for your project or research.

After discussing your ideas with a faculty advisor, and completing a preliminary literature review, please fill out this form and discuss it with your faculty advisor. With the advisor’s approval, please leave the form with the Administrative Secretary in the department who will take your proposal to the C&I departmental meeting for department approval before you continue.

Name:________________________________________________ Date:_________________ Faculty advisor with whom you are working:_______________________________________ Type of Project or Research (see brochure for details and check one):

_____ Education Project _____Research Study _____ Action Research _____ Thesis _____ Practicum Outside the U.S.

Topic of the Proposed Project or Research:

____________________________________________________________________________ Purpose:

The Purpose of this (project, research, thesis, etc.) is to: ________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ List of Prominent Research in Preliminary Literature Review (author, date, title, journal): _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________________ Methodology, Procedure, or Plan:

______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

Significance or Rationale for engaging in this topic for your thesis, project or research:

______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Planned Date of Completion (you have a year):________________________________________

Signature of Faculty Advisor:______________________________________________________ Signature of Faculty Chair:________________________________________________________