Availabilities:
Not offered in 2020
Unit description
This unit facilitates the development of an appropriate methodology to identify and explore a specific research problem. Students are mentored in skills and understanding including research problem development; research paradigms; methodological approaches; research designs; sites and sampling; data collection and analysis methods; and ethical considerations. For most students this unit will contribute directly to an ongoing research project.
Unit content
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
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
How is qualitative research evaluated?
Module 2b: Quantitative research methods (optional module)
Quantitative methodology and theory
Quantitative data collection approaches and techniques, including sampling
Quantitative data analysis approaches
How is quantitative research evaluated?
Module 3: Preparing a research proposal and ethics application
Learning outcomes
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: | |
|---|---|
| 1 | explain the role, function and potential impact of different types of research in educational contexts |
| 2 | analyse the relationship between epistemology, theory, methodology and methods in educational research |
| 3 | identify and justify the most appropriate research approach to address an identified educational problem, issue, or knowledge need |
| 4 | select appropriate qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods for such a study |
| 5 | describe the approaches taken to analysing data |
| 6 | identify and address ethical issues related to research in an educational context |
| 7 | develop a proposal and ethics application for a small scale study in an education context. |
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- explain the role, function and potential impact of different types of research in educational contexts
- analyse the relationship between epistemology, theory, methodology and methods in educational research
- identify and justify the most appropriate research approach to address an identified educational problem, issue, or knowledge need
- select appropriate qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods for such a study
- describe the approaches taken to analysing data
- identify and address ethical issues related to research in an educational context
- develop a proposal and ethics application for a small scale study in an education context.
Teaching and assessment
Fee information
Domestic
Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees
International
Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.