Unit information: Introduction to Educational Inquiry in 2021/22

Unit name	Introduction to Educational Inquiry
Unit code	EDUCM5000
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Eagle
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 core 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 book and journals. In this course, 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 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. Particular emphasis is placed on research designs for complex issues and processes.

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 programme.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Recognise the diversity of research questions and related methods which are used in educational research
• 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 small-scale project
• Critically engage with issues of ethics, validity, trustworthiness and reliability in relation to research
• Collect, analyze, and report on research data and findings
• Demonstrate the skills and confidence to work successfully as part of a group
• Make 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

This unit will be taught using a blended approach consisting of a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous activities including seminars, lectures, reading and discussions, and involving both independent and collaborative group work with peers.

Assessment Information

Summative assessment:

Summative assessment for the unit will be on the basis of two pieces of work:

• A 10 minute audio recorded group powerpoint presentation of methods/findings of group project (1 presentation per group) (25% of grade) ILOs 3-7
• A 2,500 word written assignment to assess students' critical understanding of the research methods literature, and apply concepts and theories to their own research practice (75% of grade) ILOs 1,2,47

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EDUCM5000).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.