University Approval of Human Subjects Research. If the project involves human subjects, you must receive approval from the Committee on Human Studies before beginning your research. Information is available on this website: https://www.hawaii.edu/researchcompliance/human-studies. Please contact your advisor before submitting forms to the committee.

Approval of Research in Hawai‘i DOE Schools. Students who are planning to conduct research in a Hawai‘i DOE school(s) must obtain approval from the principal(s) and the Hawai‘i State Department of Education. For a study that takes place in a DOE school, students must have their advisor’s approval and signature before submission and should not contact DOE without this approval. For more information, please see the HIDOE website on Data and Reports.

Selecting a Committee (Plan A) or Reader (Plan B)

Talk to your advisor about who will be your committee members (Plan A) or second reader (Plan B) and who will invite these individuals.

Plan A committees are made up of three members: two from EDCS (one of whom is the chair), the third from another department (all committee members must be on the Graduate Faculty). Learn more about committee composition and potential members for Plan A.

Plan B’s have a Program Advisor who is a member of the EDCS Graduate Faculty and a Second Reader who responds to the Plan B Paper or Project and attends the oral defense. The second reader for a Plan B needs to have a master’s or higher degree and have expertise in the subject matter of the project.

How Core Courses Support Completion of the Culminating Project

MEd-CS core courses are designed to prepare you to understand and conduct research, particularly classroom action research. If you choose to do a research study for your final project, it’s best to select a topic early—the first semester, if possible—and follow through with that topic throughout your program as shown below. Speed toward graduation by selecting a research topic early and using your core courses effectively!

Suggested order/
semester
EDCS COURSE TITLE PLAN A (THESIS) OR PLAN B PROJECT FOCUS
1 First Sem. Of Program 622 Curriculum Leadership (Fall semesters only)

Alphas:
PK-3 School Level (B)
Middle School Level (D)
K-12 School Level (G

COURSE ASSIGNMENT: LITERATURE REVIEW
Select a topic and write a literature review (i.e.,
summary of research) that will tell you what is known about the topic and which research methods have been used to study it. (Confirm topic with your advisor if you plan to use it for a Plan A thesis or Plan B project.) PLAN A/B
What are the key questions you have about teaching? Explore topics of interest by considering questions from coursework, reading professional books/articles, and talking to your advisor, instructors and peers.
2 606 Introduction to Research in Curriculum and Teaching
(Spring semesters only)
COURSE ASSIGNMENT: DRAFT RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Develop a draft research proposal. PLAN A/B
Explore your selected topic through assignments in other courses, if possible.
3 632 Qualitative Research Methods
(Fall semesters only)
COURSE ASSIGNMENT: APPLICATION FOR THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SUBJECTS
All students will complete this assignment. Only students conducting research studies and who have approval from their advisors will submit their applications to UHM Human Subjects (IRB). PLAN A/BIf you will conduct a research study, consult with your advisor as you develop your IRB application.If your research will be in Hawai‘i DOE schools, check their website and consult with your advisor and 632 instructor about the approval process. (Please do not contact either office, or submit applications, without advisor approval.)
4 Last sem. of program 667 Seminar in Curriculum Issues
(Spring semesters only) Same alphas as 622.
COURSE ASSIGNMENT: PERSONAL CURRICULUM HISTORY

This assignment provides reflections on your professional growth that may be used to enhance your Plan A/B. Ideally, you’ll complete your final project!