Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Educational Research (Online)

ELPP 6150-70I

Course: ELPP 6150-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: TED
CRN: 13203

Course Description

Built upon the principles of the national ISLLC standards (2), this course focuses on maximizing student learning through systems of support and effective assessment strategies that inform instruction. A project/problem-based approach provides hands-on activities to use research to develop and coordinate systems to create opportunities to personalize the academic program. (Fall - 1st Session, Fall - 2nd Session, Spring - 1st Session, Spring - 2nd Session) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

  • Glenn, M., Sullivan, B. & McDonagh, C. (2023).  Action research for the classroom: A guide to values-based research in practice.  Routledge.
  • Creswell, J.W. (2014).  Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches, (4th ed.).  Sage.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Describe research as a function of understanding problems within education.  
  2. Explain quantitative research and how a researcher would operationalize this study. 
  3. Explain qualitative research and how a researcher would operationalize this study.
  4. Explain mixed methods research, and understand how all three types of research can be applied in an educational setting.
  5. Apply research to understanding problems within educational settings.
  6. Demonstrate a working knowledge of Action Research and how it supports school improvement. 

Course Requirements

Course Assessment Table

Course Assessments Course Outcomes
Weekly Discussions 1-6
Administrative Application Papers (AAA) 1-6
Final Paper 1-6

Assignment Outline

You will have weekly discussions in an online forum with other learners in the class.  The purpose of these discussions are to provide the learner with the opportunity to synthesize reading and course materials through replying to prompts, and to give the learner the opportunity to challenge ideas and refine understanding through interacting with other learners through comment and discussion.

You will have weekly papers that provide learners with the opportunity to differentiate and evaluate the course material as it applies to a specific administrative application.  These papers are designed to practice administrative thinking while synthesizing course concepts in relationship to each learner’s experiences and preconceptions within the field of education.  These papers are typically 2-3 pages in length and are final draft quality, APA formatted papers.  

The final paper provides the learners the opportunity for reflection over the course material.  These papers are typically 3-5  pages in length and are final draft quality, APA formatted papers.

Grade Scheme

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

Grade Scheme
Course Assessments Points Percent

Weekly Discussions

10pts./week

20%

AAA Papers

600 points

55%

Final Paper

100 points

25%

Total:

770 points 

100%

Grade Range
A 100 % to 94.0%
A- < 94.0 % to 90.0%
B+ < 90.0 % to 87.0%
B < 87.0 % to 84.0%
B- < 84.0 % to 80.0%
C+ < 80.0 % to 77.0%
C < 77.0 % to 74.0%
C- < 74.0 % to 70.0%
D+ < 70.0 % to 67.0%
D < 67.0 % to 64.0%
D- < 64.0 % to 61.0%
F < 61.0 % to 0.0%

Course Outline

Seven week course:
  • weekly discussion assignments
  • six weekly assignments
  • one final project

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Instructor's Response Time & Feedback

Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to me, I will respond in the specified amount of time. Feedback is an important part of learning please look for feedback on your assignments that I provided in the specified amount of time, to find feedback look at this tutorial 

How do I view assignment comments from my Instructor? (Links to an external site.)

How do I view annotation feedback comments from my instructor? (Links to an external site.)

It is my goal to:

  • Respond to student messages within 1 business day
  • Provide grades and feedback within 2 days from the due date

Late Work & Attendance Policy

Students are deemed professionals in their field. This course is designed to encourage these professionals to look within to determine the perspectives they bring to their individual classrooms/schools. Work should be submitted by due dates.    The nature of a 7-week term means that we move quickly and we cannot afford to allow late work to accumulate.  Discussion posts only receive credit if they are posted by the due date.  Assignments that are late receive a 10-point per day penalty for the first two days late, after three days the assignment is recorded as a zero. If you are unable to submit work on time, please reach out to me prior to the due date.

Attendance Policy

This is an asynchronous course. There will be two Zoom sessions which may be attended or recording viewed.

Course Fees

3 Credit(s) | $7.50 Fee

Program and Course Fees

Canvas Information

Academic Integrity and AI Generated Work

This course is designed for a learning experience that is cultivated through the interaction of real-world learner experiences and course material, as well as other researched sources.  It is only at this intersection of experiences and grounded ideas do learners fully investigate, problem solve and develop thinking as an administrator.  As such, learners can only fully respond to course assignments by fully preparing their own work.  Use of any AI tools such as ChatGTP to complete any aspect of assignments for this course is not permitted and will be viewed as plagiarism (passing off someone else's - or something else's - work as your own).  If you find it valuable to use AI in your research for an assignment, please discuss this with me prior to completing the assignment.   

Canvas Information

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.