ELHE 8204 Data-Driven Decision-Making I

This course introduces students to paradigms and ontological assumptions about data, challenging students to think critically about the nature of information as evidence and its interpretation in educational contexts. Throughout the course, students will develop greater familiarity with conceptual and methodological issues in educational research practices. Focusing on framing research problems and questions, students will develop essential skills in identifying and articulating key issues in higher education research. Students will be introduced to quantified language (correlation, causation) and critical qualitative data collection processes (interviews, focus groups, photo voice). By engaging with real-world data and contemporary research methodologies, students will develop artifacts demonstrating their capacity to meaningfully engage and consume research output in their professional practices. Covers paradigms and ontological assumptions about dataFocuses on framing research problems and questionsCovers qualitative research methods including interviews and focus groups

Course overview

Department
Educational Leadership and Higher Education
School
Lynch
Credits
3
Level
Graduate
Offered
Every Fall, Every Spring, Every Summer

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
4.03 / 5 · Very Good
42 responses
Instructor rating
4.33 / 5 · Very Good
42 responses
Terms evaluated
4
Most recent: Fall 2025

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryWeekly effortResponses
Fall 2025Andres Castro Samayoa5.05.04.74.85.05.05.04.77–9 hrs/week6 of 13
Fall 2024Andres Castro Samayoa4.54.73.94.54.54.84.94.34–6 hrs/week11 of 13
Fall 2023Andres Castro Samayoa—————————11 of 15
Spring 2022Andres Castro Samayoa2.93.43.43.44.13.64.03.44–6 hrs/week14 of 18

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

Sections

  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Andres Castro Samayoa · F 12:00 Noon-01:30PM · Offered