Part-Time Instructor / Lecturer for Introduction to Research Methods Course

SUMMARY OF ORGANIZATION/UNIT

Transformative Coaching and Leadership M.Ed. Program (TCL): The Transformative Coaching and Leadership program is an M.Ed. degree program in the Department of Education at UCLA's School of Education and Information Studies. The goals and principles of the program include:

* cultivating one's own philosophy of teaching, (sports) coaching and leadership and applying it in practice

* appreciating a holistic understanding of persons as physical, intellectual, emotional, social, & spiritual beings

* embracing a transformational model of (sports) coaching and leadership (rather than merely transactional)

* commitment to a social justice ethic including commitment to equity, inclusion & diversity

* appreciating the intersection of theory and practice and aspiring towards theory and evidence informing one's practice.

Students in the program take nine (9) quarter courses, including a research methods course, and complete a research-based capstone project (approx. 30 pages). For the capstone, students use applied research skills such as setting goals, assessing needs, conducting literature reviews, identifying gaps in practice, and using data to inform strategic interventions to identify a problem or need relevant to the current context of sports coaching or leadership and propose a research-informed, actionable solution.

Students in the program are aspiring and developing practitioner-scholars interested in a career in the sports industry, including but not limited to student-athletes in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The successful candidate will serve as instructor of record for the "Introduction to Research Methods" course in the Transformative Coaching and Leadership M.Ed. program: Fall 2025, Winter 2026, and Spring 2026, whose teaching responsibilities include providing ongoing support and feedback to students throughout the development and completion of their capstone project Anticipated service start date is 9/22/25.

Use the link here to view the corresponding quarter start dates on the Registrar's website: https://registrar.ucla.edu/calendars/annual-academic-calendar.

Course Description: This graduate level course provides an introduction to the foundational concepts, designs, and techniques used in applied research within the social sciences. Students will explore both qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews, surveys, focus groups, case studies, and basic statistical analysis. Emphasis is placed on understanding the research process from problem formulation to data interpretation, with particular attention to ethical consideration and the use of research to inform practice and policy. Designed for practitioner-scholars, the course prepares students to critically engage with existing research and to design studies that address real-world problems in sports coaching and leadership.

The course is in-person, meets once a week for 3 hours in the evening (5pm-8:00pm) for 11 weeks each quarter and will have a TA. Class size will be approximately 20-30 students.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Course Design and Instruction

* Design and deliver engaging, rigorous instruction on applied research methods, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches.

* Develop assignments and learning activities that scaffold students' understanding of research design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

* Integrate ethical considerations and culturally responsive research practices into course content

Capstone Project Mentorship

* Guide students in refining their capstone project focus, helping them develop clear research questions or problem statement aligned with sports coaching and leadership contexts.

* Support the development of capstone research proposals, including literature reviews, methodology design, data collection plans, and actionable proposal.

* Provide individualized feedback on written drafts, methodological approaches, and the integration of theory with practice.

* Monitor progress and ensure alignment between capstone goals and program learning outcomes.

Skill Development and Support

* Introduce and support the use of research tools, such as survey platforms, qualitative coding software, or statistical programs (e.g., NVivo, SPSS, R, Dedoose, Qualtrics)

* Foster students' data literacy and analytical reasoning, including interpreting data in ways that are meaningful and actionable for real-world contexts.

* Facilitate peer review and collaboration, helping students build confidence in presenting their work and receiving constructive feedback.

Communication and Academic Advising

* Hold regular office hours to support students' academic and emotional well-being during the research process.

* Collaborate with other program faculty to ensure consistency in expectations, especially if given the interdisciplinary nature of the capstone project.

Assessment and Evaluation

* Assess student learning and provide timely, constructive feedback on assignments, presentations, and capstone milestones.

* Evaluate final capstone projects using established rubrics aligned with program outcomes, including rigor, relevance, and reflective practice.

SALARY RANGE

* The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 15. The salary range for this position is $70,977 - $132,039. Salary is prorated according to the percentage of appointment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

* Master's degree in a relevant field, such as Education, Sports Psychology, Social Science, Public Policy, or a related discipline

* Familiarity with statistical software packages such as NVivo, SPSS, R, Dedoose, Qualtrics

* Demonstrated expertise in applied research methods, including both qualitative and quantitative approaches.

* Experience designing and conducting original research, particularly in practice-based or community-engaged contexts.

* Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex research concepts in accessible ways.

* Experience advising or mentoring students

* Evidence of applied or policy-oriented research experience, with an emphasis on translating findings into practice.

* Experience working with diverse student populations, including adult learners, working professionals, and first-generation students.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

* Doctorate degree in a relevant field such as Education, Sports Psychology, Social science, Public Policy, or related discipline strongly preferred.

* Familiarity with practitioner-scholar or capstone-based graduate programs.

* Experience using research tools and software and integrating them into instruction.

* Knowledge of ethical and equity-centered research practice, including community-based, participatory, or culturally responsive methodologies.

* Commitment to anti-racist, justice-oriented, and inclusive pedagogy, aligned with the mission and values of the program.

* Background, or research experience or interest in sports coaching and / or leadership studies

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

3 References [Letters may be requested from finalists]

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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