EPSY 6113: Application of Developmental Theories in Research

EPSY 6113. Fall, 2016, Wooten Hall 214 1

EPSY 6113: Application of Developmental Theories in Research

Department of Educational Psychology, University of North Texas

Fall 2016—Wooten Hall214, Thursday, 5:30-8:20pm

Instructor:Dr. Wendy MiddlemissOffice: Matthews Hall 304H

Phone:940 369 8870Office hours: Monday andTuesday,

e-mail:* 9:30am -10:30am;

*please use UNT Email addressMonday and Thursday.

4:00pm to 5pm.

Text:Bornstein, M, & Lamb, M.E. (2015). Developmental Science. An Advanced Textbook, 7th Ed.New York: Psychology Press, Taylor & Francis.ISBN-13:978-1848726116 ISBN-10:1848726112

Catalogue description. DFST 6113. Application of Developmental Theories in Research. 3 hours. Scholarly application of theory to research regarding growth and change across the lifespan, including an ecological perspective. A review of socio-historical influences on theory development as well as practical issues associated with operationalization of theories and their use in professional and research settings. Addendum: We will address issues of applied research and transactional research, exploring issues associated with quality of research questions, methods, results, and conclusions.

Course Requirements

Learning is facilitated by associations—associationsare facilitated by reading, thinking, and doing

Topical Application: Applying Developmental Theory to a Chosen Topic

Pick a topic regarding development that is something you would like to explore…. Something that will probably be part of your research topic later on in your program. It can be broad—the role of play in learning; it can be specific—how do toddlers use play in social contexts. The only specific is that your topic needs to be one that you enjoy and that piques your interest.

Now with that…. Each week: You will be asked to apply the chapter information to that topic by (1) reading the chapter; (2) finding a research article that ties your topic to the information in the chapter; and (3) draw connections to the research article. When you do this assignment, address these points:

• Assumptions within the current theory or adding to the current theory regarding the theoretical framework.
• How the research reflects information from the chapter. Research questions as they reflect the theory.
• Operational Definitions and Limitation/Approach used by the researchers in addressing questions and other options regarding research structure
• Methods that may lead to different questions, hypothesis, presumptions, or outcomes.
• Consideration of the nature of the research question, methodology, or results from framework of theory

Think through the connections, the role of the theory, what might be next steps, etc. Then:

Type up your points in hard copy, using APA style, etc., and turn in on line at the TurnItIn link in the appropriate week folder;

25 points for each completed; 12 required = 300 total points available

Engaging your Colleagues:

One time during the semester you have the opportunity to discuss your topic and research article with the class. Remember, although the class will have heard you talking about your topic, for this assignment, you will need to summarize (1) your topic; (2) the theory you are applying in the research; (3) the research; (4) your topic. The class is then responsible for engaging in conversation with you about the research and your topic in a manner that helps each of us think more about the material.

40 points for presentation and leading group; 10 points for participation in discussions through the semester.

Final Project:

Assessment of an Applied Research.

Steps to Construction of Applied Research Project or Program Criteria

For this project, it is the time to use all that you have learned both in regard to the course information and to your topic at hand. This task will ask you to take that information to construct a program, intervention, prevention, educational, health messaging… some sort of use of the information in that topic The project should (1) be based on theory and current research; (2) should have a specific, developmentally related objective, (3) be developed well enough to present as a research proposal to a funding source. This will require that you clearly and scientifically identify the issue and what about the approach will address the concerns. You must use theory, the language of the theory and research, determine what you propose to change—and then, if it is to change, how you will measure it. Then, end by stating what will be the positive benefits of completion of this program.

Formal Presentation of project/program as a proposal: 50 points

Written Summary: 150points[50 points for use of theory;50 points for quality of information and assessment]

COURSE SCHEDULE

Grading Scale: To earn a(n):

Arequires earning500 - 450

Brequires earning449 – 400

Crequires earning399 - 350

Drequires earning 349 - 300

F requires earning299 

Important Dates:

9/13 Beginning this written consent of the instructor required to drop a course.

10/7Last day for student to receive automatic grade of W for nonattendance.

Last day to drop a course or withdraw from the semester with a grade of W for courses that the student is not passing. After this date, a grade of WF may be recorded.

10/8Instructors may drop students with a grade of WF for nonattendance.

11/7Last day to drop with W or WF. Last day to drop a course with instructor consent.

11/14Beginning this date, a student may request an Incomplete, with a grade of I.

11/23Last day to withdraw (drop all classes).Last day for an instructor to drop a student with a grade of WF for nonattendance.

GENERAL UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

COURSE/UNIVERSITY POLICIES

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