ED3993 - Research Methodologies in Education

Credit points:	03
Year:	2011
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	School of Education

Available to students enrolled in Bachelor of Education (Honours). External offering available to ECE online and RATEP students only.

This subject provides an overview of a range of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research. It examines methods used and methodological issues in educational research, including identification of research topics, approach, design, methods of data collection and analysis and research ethics. It also explores the theoretical and philosophical assumptions underpinning different research approaches, the purposes they serve and their potential applications to educational issues. It can be undertaken either as an introduction to the honours progam or as an elective focused on developing abilities to critically read educational research.

Learning Outcomes

• Acquire a knowledge of selected major educational research traditions;
• Develop skills for critically reading research papers within various traditions;
• Develop knowledge of and skills in selected data collection and analysis techniques;
• Critique and/or defend an educational research project.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• The ability to find and access information using appropriate media and technologies;
• The ability to evaluate that information;
• The ability to select and organise information and to communicate it accurately, cogently, coherently, creatively and ethically;
• The acquisition of coherent and disciplined sets of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics from at least one discipline area;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning, and to learn independently in a self directed manner;
• The ability to read complex and demanding texts accurately, critically and insightfully;
• The ability to speak and write clearly, coherently and creatively;
• The ability to work individually and independently.

Prerequisites:	6 credit points of level 2 ED subjects
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	ED3992

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 25-Aug-2011
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Hilary Whitehouse.
Contact hours:	39 hours workshops/Seminars
Assessment:	a negotiated assignment (30%); a research proposal (50%); research proposal presentation (20%).
External, Study Period 2
Census Date 25-Aug-2011
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Hilary Whitehouse.
Method of Delivery:	WWW - LearnJCU
Assessment:	a negotiated assignment (30%); a research proposal (50%); research proposal presentation (20%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 25-Aug-2011
Coord/Lect:	Assoc. Professor Hilary Whitehouse.
Contact hours:	39 hours workshops/Seminars
Assessment:	a negotiated assignment (30%); a research proposal (50%); research proposal presentation (20%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.