Topic 2: Research Design and Methods for Psychology and Education. Introduction to essential concepts and methods used in quantitative empirical research in psychology and education. Examine ideas from the philosophy of science, threats to validity, causal inference, and experimental and quasi-experimental techniques, with a focus on the logic and methods of designing and evaluating research. Educational Psychology 381C (Topic 2) and 184, 284, 384 (Topic 24) may not both be counted. Additional prerequisite: Educational Psychology 380C (Topic 2) or consent of instructor.

Topic 4: Research Methodology for Practitioners. Designed to facilitate understanding of research methods and statistical analysis. Overviews development of needs assessment, program evaluation, and program modifications. Facilitates skills in critically evaluating research to select evidence-based approaches for practice settings. Educational Psychology 381C (Topic 4) and 184, 284, 384 (Topic 20) may not both be counted.

Topic 6: Literature and Research Synthesis. Focuses on the creation of a literature review or systematic research synthesis. Subjects to be covered include: problem formation; how research is communicated and how the scientific communication system affects knowledge; methods for locating research; problems in retrieving data from secondary sources; judging the quality of research; estimating the impact of policies and practices and gauging the strength of relations; and assessing variance in impacts and relationships across studies. Educational Psychology 381C (Topic 6) and 184, 284, 384 (Topic 22) may not both be counted.

Topic 8: Qualitative Research Methods. Examines research methods that are descriptive, field-based, interpretive, and discovery-focused. Subjects include the varieties of qualitative research; identifying questions and phenomena for research; planning and conducting qualitative research; coding and other analytic procedures; developing an interpretation; and trustworthiness issues in qualitative inquiry. Educational Psychology 381C (Topic 8) and 184, 284, 384 (Topic 8) may not both be counted.

Topic 10: Issues in Multicultural Research. Designed to provide knowledge and tools to critique and evaluate theoretical, conceptual, and methodological issues related to the role and importance of culture, ethnicity, and race in multicultural research. Draws from social, developmental, counseling, and clinical psychology research, and emphasizes the challenges in conducting rigorous, culturally sound research. Educational Psychology 381C (Topic 10) and 184, 284, 384 (Topic 17) may not both be counted.

Topic 12: Meta-analysis. Effect size calculation for different designs; quantitative methods and models for synthesizing and testing moderators of effect size; and related subject matter. Educational Psychology 381C (Topic 12) and 184, 284, 384 (Topic 7) may not both be counted. Additional prerequisite: Educational Psychology 480C (Topic 6) and 480C (Topic 4) or consent of instructor. Educational Psychology 380C (Topic 16) is recommended.

Topic 14: Causal Inference. Survey of quantitative methods for studying causal effect of interventions, with emphasis on data analysis and interpretation. Subjects include potential outcomes models, graphical models, randomized experiments, propensity scores, matching and weighting, instrumental variables, interrupted time series, regression discontinuities, and mediation models. Educational Psychology 381C (Topic 14) and 184, 284, 384 (Topic 25) may not both be counted. Additional prerequisite: Educational Psychology 381C (Topic 2) or 384 (Topic 24) and Educational Psychology 480C (Topic 4) or 380C (Topic 4); or consent of instructor.

Topic 16: Survey Research Design. Overview of the survey research process; addresses various topics in survey research within the context of the development of a survey study. Covers sequence of a survey study, from conceptualization to measurement, administration, data management and analysis, and writing the research report. Issues in quasi-experimental design, sampling, questionnaire construction, administration, and the use of computers in survey research are covered within this framework. The relative advantages, disadvantages, and appropriateness of the different modes of survey administration (i.e., face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, mail, internet surveys, and other self-administered questionnaires) for different research questions are also examined. Educational Psychology 381C (Topic 16) and 184, 284, 384 (Topic 7) may not both be counted. Additional prerequisite: Educational Psychology 380C (Topic 2) or consent of instructor.