Directed Research Studies

Curriculum guideline

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Course
CFCS 3810
Discontinued
No
Course code
CFCS 3810
Descriptive
Directed Research Studies
Department
Therapeutic Recreation
Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
Flexible delivery ranging over 2 to 15 weeks.
Max class size
30
Contact hours
Seminar: 14 hours Individual Learning: 61 hours Total: 75 hours
Method(s) of instruction
Seminar
Tutorial
Learning activities
  • Class discussion
  • Small group work and workshops
  • Community experiences and community-based research
  • Student dialogue and presentations
  • Self-directed on-line learning
Course description
This upper-level seminar course is designed for students interested in pursuing their research interests and/or who may wish to pursue postgraduate studies. Topics may include: developing research ideas, understanding research ethics, participating in a peer review process, engaging in research, writing research reports for diverse audiences, formulating grant proposals, and developing effective ways to communicate research findings. Prior to admission to this course a standard contract form must be completed by the student and signed by the faculty instructor and department co-ordinator.
Course content

Prior to admission in this course a standard contract form must be completed by the student and signed by the faculty instructor and department co-coordinator.  Since this is a seminar course for upper-level degree students that may be done in conjunction with the research or evaluation needs of a community agency, the class readings and assignment criteria will cater to the student’s identified learning objectives.  Details regarding student learning objectives, required readings, and assignments will be fully outlined in their individual class contracts.

Content for this course may include (but not be limited to):

  • Literature reviews
    • Critical appraisal of interdisciplinary health research
  • Major aspects of ethical decision-making in research
    • Informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity and do no harm
    • Ethics review processes and paperwork
  • Community based research
    • Data collection, management and analysis
  • Effective report writing and communicating ideas to different audiences
    • Strategies for communicating findings to community agencies, policy makers and academic journals
    • Knowledge translation tools
    • Visual aids – PowerPoint and other media
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student, with the support of the faculty instructor, will have selected and achieved a minimum of 4 of the following learning objectives:

 

  1. Conduct a comprehensive literature review to address a specific research question.
  2. Critically analyze and discuss academic literature.
  3. Provide constructive feedback on the academic work of others.
  4. Show and understanding of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans.
  5. Construct an ethics proposal for the Douglas College Ethics Board.
  6. Conduct research, including developing interview, focus group and/or survey instruments, and collecting data, analyzing data, and reporting on research findings.
  7. Write a research manuscript for publication and/or for reporting to a community agency.
  8. Write a research grant application for a community agency.
  9. Participate in the peer review process, including papers, posters and conference presentations.
Means of assessment

This course will conform to Douglas College policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations.  Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:

  • Research proposal
  • Off-campus activities
  • Research report
  • Research presentation
  • Community report
  • Policy brief
  • Peer-reviewed journal manuscript
  • Douglas College ethics review forms
  • Grant application

This is a letter graded course.

Textbook materials

A range of recommended textbooks and other materials will be provided to students at the beginning of each semester.  Students will propose a list of their individualized class readings in their class contract.

Prerequisites

THRT 3710 or equivalent research course