Unit name | Developing as an Educational Researcher |
---|---|
Unit code | EDUCM5919 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
Unit director | Dr. Cassie Earl |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Education |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The unit relates to the Introduction to Educational Inquiry unit. It is neither subject nor discipline-specific, but concerned rather with generic issues involved in developing research projects, including but not limited to MSc dissertations. Issues to be addressed in the unit include: methodology and research design, constructing appropriate research questions, linking of theory and method, considering different ways to analyse data and procedures for making informed and ethical choices in research design. Issues around the crafting of a research project, and ways that 'good ideas can be made into good projects' are critically discussed, using existing examples, including MSc dissertations. An emphasis is placed (1) on structure and organisation of the project as a whole, and (2) writing as academic practice Emphasis is also placed on the importance of addressing practical (access; scheduling) as well as academic limitation.
The unit aims to equip students with:
Upon completion of this unit students will be able to:
Given the nature of the programme, teaching is organised into an intensive, 3-day event during which a combination of teaching strategies, such as whole group lectures and seminars, case studies, critical analysis of key readings, group discussions and student presentations.
For students who have already submitted Introduction to Educational Inquiry (EDUCM5915):
A 4,000 word dissertation proposal. Students will be expected to identify relevant research literature, outline research questions and construct a research design that would address them. Critical appraisal of the research approach being proposed will be expected.
For students who have not yet submitted Introduction to Educational Inquiry (EDUCM5915):
A 4,000 word report on a group research project. Outline details of the project and provide a thorough discussion of the methodological and ethical issues that were raised.