Emp Rsrch: CivicEd Digital Age

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

*Fulfills Core Methods Requirement This course will provide students with the opportunity to learn the core elements of the empirical research process while gaining hands-on experience working on an ongoing civic education research project. The learning goals are: 1) to provide a strong foundation in empirical research methods; 2) to have students engage in hands-on data collection and analysis using survey research, in-depth interview, and ethnographic research techniques; and 3) to allow students to design and carry out a research project in conjunction with a study of civic education in the digital age. The class will begin with an overview of the guiding principles of social scientific research to provide a foundation for a detailed exploration of the steps in the empirical research process. These steps include selecting a research topic, conducting a literature review, developing a theoretical framework, defining concepts, formulating and testing hypotheses, data collection and analysis, and reporting findings. Issues surrounding data collection and analysis, such as the types of data, levels of measurements, sampling, and the benefits and challenges of primary and secondary data analysis, will be examined. A variety of research methodologies will be discussed, focusing heavily on survey research, in-depth interviews, and ethnographic research. Analysis of the data produced by surveys, interviews, and ethnographies will be covered. An introduction to statistical data analysis will be provided—no prior background in statistics is required. Finally, the class will include a session on grantsmanship focusing on how to prepare and submit research grants. The practicum will give students the opportunity to take part in a real-world study in the field of civic education, although the research practices conveyed in this course have wide-ranging applicability. Dr. Owen has been conducting research on the influence of civic education on students’ acquisition of political knowledge, dispositions, such as a sense of civic duty and commitment to community, and skills, including political engagement and voting. The project for the class focuses on the extent to which teachers are successful in instructing students to navigate the current political environment and use digital technology responsibly and effectively for civic engagement.