Research in SPD Capstone

Course Description

This course addresses fundamental concepts and practices in educational research in special education. Covers specific applications of educational research methods in special education. Emphasizes review and critique of special education research, and applied classroom research for teachers in diverse settings. This course is designed as the capstone course in which candidates will complete the research project and present it before a panel of experts for feedback and recommendations.

Learning Outcomes

• Access the major journals/indexes necessary to critically read and conduct research in special education.
• Develop research that can influence policy, and advocate through leadership roles.
• Develop an annotated bibliography when given a research topic in special education.
• Evaluate the strengths and weakness of individual research designs in special education based on the internal/external validity model. Knowledge of sampling techniques and necessary requirements for sample size in-group designs.
• Independently and in collaboration use a variety of data to evaluate the outcomes of teaching and learning to adapt planning and practice.
• Identify the procedures for conducting research with small sample including single case studied.
• Design a research project for the capstone which includes a specific topic in the area of special education.

Prerequisites

• SPD651
• SPD652
• SPD653
• SPD654