Unit title Research Methods in Education Code ED50102

1) Aims

1a Examine critically the specific nature of research and enquiry in education, and its relationship to enquiry in other social science disciplines;

1b Examine the theories and forms of explanation used in educational research; and the types of knowledge generated in educational research.

1c Address the major ways of designing and conducting research studies to address a range of issues and problems in education;

1d Consider the relationship between research, policy and practice in education;

2) Learning Outcomes

2a understand the relationship between different kinds of knowledge and forms of explanation in educational research;

2b how new knowledge in education is generated and the relationship between research and professional knowledge in education;

2c understand key concepts in educational research (e.g, objectivity, subjectivity, reflexivity) and how they inform research studies;

2d be able to access, evaluate and review critically relevant research literature;

2e be familiar with the major paradigms within which educational research is conducted; and understand how they relate to research in other social

science disciplines;

2f identify appropriate topics for enquiry and formulate research questions;

2g be familiar with, and understand how to apply, a range of research strategies and designs appropriate to educational problems (e.g. survey,

experiments, case study, ethnographic approaches, biographical/narrative approaches).

2h understand ethical considerations, such as the connection between researcher and researched in educational settings;

3) Skills

3a Application of a critical understanding of issues in educational research by evaluating examples of published research (T/A).

3b Evaluating the claims of research and theoretical knowledge (T/F/A)

3c Problem analysis, research and critical reflection/evaluation (T/F/A)

3d Independent work and self-directed learning (F)

3e Group and team work (F)

3f Individual and group presentation skills (F)

3g Written communication (A)

3h Develop skill in communicating research to different audiences (T/F)

4) Content

4a Purposes for research in education.

4b Major forms and traditions of research in education and their methodological implications (e.g. research on educational policy; educational settings; pedagogy; pupil learning and achievement).

4c Critical literature review; and interpretation of research findings and claims to knowledge.

4d Key concepts in educational research (e.g. objectivity, subjectivity and reflexivity); their application in the conduct of a research study.

4e Identification of researchable problems in education and formulation of research questions.

4f The logic of research designs and strategies on educational topics.