Unit information: Introduction to Educational Inquiry in 2016/17

Unit name	Introduction to Educational Inquiry
Unit code	EDUCM5915
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Mrs. Elisabeth Lazarus
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	none
Co-requisites	none
School/department	School of Education
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit provides an introduction to the variety of methods used to conduct research in education. It engages students in the key debates surrounding educational research and its importance in developing educational policy and improving educational processes. The question of what constitutes good educational research is addressed and students will be encouraged to develop strategies to better understand and critique the immense variety of educational research reported in books and journals.

In this unit, students are introduced to the entire process of conducting educational research from the initial stages of thinking about research questions to designing a project, choosing particular methodologies and methods. Students are encouraged to look at this from a political and philosophical as well as an educational perspective and also to consider and reflect on the key issues that educational researchers face, including how it is possible to ensure good ethical practice.

The unit aims are to:

• present the main philosophical and methodological positions within social science research with special reference to research in education
• appreciate the importance of critically engaging with research literature
• understand and engage with the process of research design and its conduct, including issues in data collection and analysis
• be prepared to undertake an empirically-based dissertation
• enrich their reading and understanding of research literature that they engage with in their other units on the MSc programme

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the unit students will be able to:

• Read critically and evaluate research-related documents, which have employed a range of research approaches and methods based on differing epistemologies

• Formulate a research question and an appropriate research design for a project

• Critically engage with issues of ethics, validity, trustworthiness and reliability in relation to research

• Have the skills and confidence to be able to conduct an independent research project

• Have made decisions regarding their future learning needs, in particular in the area of data collection and analysis techniques (this is particularly important for those likely to be undertaking a dissertation)

Teaching Information

Given the nature of the programme, teaching is organised into an intensive 3-day event during which there are a combination of teaching strategies, which may include whole group lectures, visiting speakers, case studies, critical analysis of key readings, group discussions and student presentations.

The needs of a wide range of students, including those with disabilities, international students and those from ethnic minority backgrounds have been considered. It is not anticipated that the teaching and assessment methods used will cause disadvantage to any person taking the unit. The Graduate School of Education is happy to address individual support requests as necessary

Assessment Information

Summative assessment for the unit will be on the basis of a 4,000 word assignment which will assess students’ critical understanding of the literature and their ability to apply the concepts and theories explored to their own professional practice.

Reading and References

• Coleman, M. & Briggs, A.R. (eds) (2007) (Second Edition) Research Methods in Educational Leadership and Management, London: Paul Chapman Publishing.

• Clough, P. & Nutbrown, C. (2007) (Second Edition) A Student’s Guide to Methodology: justifying enquiry, London: Sage.

• Crotty, M. (1998) The Foundations of Social Research: meaning and perspective in the research process, London: Sage.

• Denscombe, M. (2003) The Good Research Guide: for small-scale social research projects, Maidenhead: Open University Press.

• Punch, K.F. (2005) (Second Edition) Introduction to Social Research: quantitative and qualitative approaches, London: Sage.

• Ritchie, J. & Lewis, J. (2003) Qualitative Research Practice: a guide for social science students and researchers, London: Sage.