Research Methods and Implementation
Curriculum guideline
Lecture: 4 hours/week
In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities such as lecture, class discussions, small group work and workshops, community experiences, research and student presentations.
Research and applied research
- Practitioner research, action research, participatory action research, and community-based research
Qualitative and quantitative research approaches
- Ontology, epistemology, theory, methodology and methods
- Quantitative and qualitative research methods
Research ethics
- Informed consent, confidentiality and anonymity, data management and security
- Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans - TCPS2
- Consent forms and confidentiality agreements
- Ethical responsibilities of the practitioner researcher
Research design
- Literature reviews
- Research methodology and research methods to answer the research question
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
- Sampling and recruitment
- Interview questions and / or survey questions
Data collection and analysis
- Data collection, organization and management
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Study limiitations
Dissemination
- Study recommendations for various stakeholders
- Knowledge translation
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- define research and the role of the practitioner in engaging in, or leading, research projects;
- understand the epistemological and methodological underpinnings of qualitative and quantitative research approaches;
- explain when and how quantitative and qualitative research methods would be applied in the field of therapeutic recreation, community recreation and health promotion;
- describe the ethical considerations of any research project;
- determine the research methodology and methods required to answer a particular research question;
- construct an effective research plan;
- apply strategies for collecting, managing and analyzing data;
- write a research report;
- recommend a range of actions that may result from a particular study.
Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. This is a graded course.
Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:
- Testing
- Research proposal
- Research report
- Off campus activities
- Presentations
Students may conduct research as part of their coursework in this class. Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving humans, which can require obtaining Informed Consent from participants and getting the approval of the Douglas College Research Ethics Board prior to conducting the research.
Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of a student’s grade performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the instructor’s course outline and allowed for in the course curriculum guideline.
This course may have an assignment that has been identified as part of the TR Department Research Framework and therefore the assignment must be passed at a minimum of a C (60%) level in order for a student to achieve a C (60%) final grade in the course. Each course outline will clearly identify these research framework assignments if relevant.
All students in the Therapeutic Recreation program, both diploma and degree students, are required to attain a minimum of 60% (C letter grade) in all courses utilized for credit towards a Diploma and/or Degree in Therapeutic Recreation in order to progress in the program.
Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students. A list of required textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester.
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