1. Produce initial steps in the preparation of a research project at the graduate level;
2. Write a research question;
3. Assemble a critical literature review; and
4. Make an oral presentation and written research proposal for independent research projects in the TESOL field

What is a TSL 692 research proposal?
A TSL 692 research proposal is a written document including the following specific sections: A title for your study; a research question or questions the study will answer; rationale (why are you personally interested in doing this study?); what methodology you will use to conduct the study; coding scheme (how will you present your data?); and a plan for analyzing the data (how will you go about interpreting the data you have collected).

Course Requirements:

1. Online discussions
2. A formal written research question
3. A list of articles for use in addressing the research question, guidelines as follows:
   - 10 articles from refereed journals in the field of TESOL – applied linguistics, education, cross-cultural communication journals (at least two from each field);
   - 5 chapters from published books; and
   - 5 articles from other sources (government documents, Internet sites, non governmental organizations documents, etc.)
4. A critical review of the articles in #3 above to support the research question in #1;
5. A summary statement of the critical literature review (#4 above) (5%);
6. A proposal for a research project addressing the question in #1 (20%).
7. A scheduled oral presentation in Winchester, Virginia, of your research proposal (40%)

Scoring Criteria:
Online discussions: Does each response directly address the question posed; reflect understanding of the research issue presented; answer all follow-up questions posed by the instructor; and display a professional attitude and tone?

Formal research question: Does the question address a significant issue in TESOL; does the question contain all characteristics of a carefully designed research question; does the question contain errors in logic, mechanics or support?

Critical review: Here, students must identify and describe aspects of the article that directly address the content of the research question. To what extent does the review reflect clear and in-depth understanding of research concepts and conventions? How well does the student demonstrate control of basic research concepts as those relate to the research question?

Summary statement: Drawing on the collection of articles reviewed, to what extent does the statement serve to support and validate the completion of the proposed research project?

Proposal: Does the research proposal conform to the standards of research and APA style, as those are laid out in the course?

Presentation in Winchester: Evaluation criteria for presentation: professional communication skills; knowledge of the topic; and management of audience questions.

Grading/Evaluation
Online discussion 10%
Formal written research question 10%
Critical review of literature 15%
Summary statement 5%
Proposal 20%
Oral presentation 40%

Grading/Evaluation
A+ 100-98
A 94-97
A- 93-90
B+ 87-89
B 84-86
B- 80-83
C+ 77-79
C 74-76
D+ 67-69
D 64-66
D- 60-63
F

A: Outstanding work
B: Outstanding work which requires revision
C: Acceptable work
D Minimal work
F Incomplete or unsatisfactory work

Assignment Expectations
Work done outside class should be typed and spaced at 1.5 spaces, using black 10-point Verdana or 12-point New Times Roman font with one inch margins and pages numbered. Work that does not meet these criteria will not be accepted. All assignments that make use of outside materials should include proper APA (5th Edition) citations. Failure to use appropriate APA style could result in grade reduction. If you are not familiar with APA Style, see the APA web site or contact the Shenandoah University Writing Center.

Concerns:
Any concerns should first be brought to the attention of the professor. If the professor cannot address your concerns, you are encouraged to take them to the university administration. You may express your concerns to the instructor with a personal office visit, e-mail or phone call. While everyone is encouraged to express their concerns or make suggestions at any time, an informal evaluation will be conducted at approximately the time of mid-term at which time students may express concerns or make suggestions.

Communications/E-mail:
It is the student’s responsibility to check the course Blackboard site and SU e-mail often for any announcements or other communications. University policy requires professors to communicate with students through their SU e-mail accounts. Note: If you use another account, it is your responsibility to have your SU e-mail forwarded to that account.

Academic Honor Code:
Shenandoah University adheres to principles and practices of the Academic Honor Code. The Honor Code is the system of conduct of the university that reflects the core principles and values the university has established regarding individual responsibility and matters involving honorable conduct. The concept of honor may be defined in a variety of ways; however, at this university the code prohibits lying, stealing and cheating.

Students attending the university are responsible for upholding the Honor Code and for being aware of the university’s Honor Code procedures Ignorance is not an acceptable defense for failure to follow the Honor Code. You may find the Honor Code, itself, at the following link:

http://www.su.edu/studaffs/handbook/HB5.Asp#honorcode(Arts)

Cheating: Cheating is defined as the attempt to give or obtain aid and/or information by illicit means in meeting ANY academic requirements, including falsifying reports and documents. Plagiarism is defined as the use, without proper acknowledgements, of the ideas, phrases, sentences, or larger units of discourse from another writer or speaker. Plagiarism includes the unauthorized copying of software and the violation of copyright laws. It is also a form of cheating and will not be tolerated.

In short, if you are caught cheating, including plagiarizing, you will receive a final grade of “F” for the course, and be reported to the University authorities.

Disability Statement
Shenandoah University recognizes the mandates of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It is the policy of the Shenandoah University that no otherwise qualified individual is denied reasonable and appropriate documentation. Please contact the Academic Support Center with questions or to request the appropriate forms be sent to you (540) 665-4928. The Office of Disabilities Services is located in the Academic Support Center, Howe Hall, Room 106 (directly below the Shenandoah University Bookstore).

Tentative Course Schedule