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Unit of Study EDU93110 - Educational Research Methods (2017)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Unit type

    PG Coursework Unit

  • Credit points

    12

  • AQF level

    9

  • Level of learning

    Advanced

  • Former School/College

    Former School of Education

  • Enrolment information

    N/A

Unit description

Considers the role, nature and practice of research in education. Students are introduced to general research principles and qualitative, quantitative and mixed methodologies with a focus on ethical issues in the conduct of research. Students plan a research-based project, and develop a research proposal.

Unit content

Weeks 1 & 2 - Module 1: Introduction

  • The role, nature and practice of research in education.
  • The role of ontology, epistemology and theory in informing approaches to research.
  • Overview of research methodology and methods, including a broad understanding of qualitative, quantitative and mixed method approaches.
  • Framing a research study.

Weeks 3 & 4 - Module 2a: Qualitative research methods in education (optional module)

  • Qualitative methodology and theory.
  • Qualitative data collection approaches and techniques, including sampling.
  • Qualitative data analysis approaches.
  • Evaluating qualitative research.

Weeks 3 & 4 - Module 2b: Quantitative research methods (optional module)

  • Quantitative methodology and theory.
  • Quantitative data collection approaches and techniques, including sampling.
  • Quantitative data analysis approaches.
  • Evaluating quantitative research.

Weeks 5 & 6 - Module 3: Preparing a research proposal and ethics application

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2017

Learning outcomes and graduate attributes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
Learning outcome count Learning outcome description GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 Explain the role, function and potential impact of different types of research in educational contexts.
2 Demonstrate the relationship between epistemology, theory, methodology and methods in educational research.
3 Identify and justify the most appropriate research approach and form of data analysis to address an identified educational problem, issue or knowledge need.
4 Identify and address ethical issues related to research in an educational context.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Explain the role, function and potential impact of different types of research in educational contexts.
    • GA1:
  2. Demonstrate the relationship between epistemology, theory, methodology and methods in educational research.
    • GA4:
  3. Identify and justify the most appropriate research approach and form of data analysis to address an identified educational problem, issue or knowledge need.
    • GA1:
  4. Identify and address ethical issues related to research in an educational context.
    • GA3: