EDUC45630: Design and Methods in Education Research (International)

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• This module will introduce students to core education research concepts and epistemology. It will develop a repertoire of key research skills including the evaluation of research techniques and approaches for knowledge creation and application across different research contexts.

• This module will contain two discrete elements. The first will be more theoretical introducing foundation knowledge for education research. It will focus on:
• Recognising the different purposes of education research
• Understanding key terms and vocabulary in education research
• Developing a critical standpoint in relation to research in education
• Exploring notions of causation across different social contexts
• Investigating the concept of quality in relation to education research, including ethics, validity, reliability, reflexivity and generalisability or applicability.
• The second part will have a focus on application. It will:
• Provide spaces for students to reflect critically on research design and improvement using published articles
• Explore key aspects of research in practice
• Develop understanding of process in education research from design, to application, analysis and evaluation
• Provide a clear link through to the dissertation element of the programme.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• At the end of the module successful students will:
• Have explored the philosophical basis of research and different approaches to conducting research and their strengths and weaknesses
• Have knowledge and understanding of core education research concepts and frameworks
• Understand different research approaches and their characteristics
• Related core research ideas to their pathway or subject area
• Understand key concepts and issues in the critique of education research

Subject-specific Skills:

• At the end of the module successful students will be able to:
• Articulate and employ core research terminology
• Problem solve around research design and application
• Demonstrate the ability to design, use and evaluate a research protocol
• Be able to identify articles and case studies which demonstrate key aspects such as causation and quality (in ethics, in design, and in validity, reliability, reflexivity and generalisability or applicability) in education research
• Have developed a repertoire of education research techniques and approaches that they can evaluate and apply to a range of education contexts and intents
• Have critically reflected on the design, application and evaluation processes needed to develop a research protocol

Key Skills:

• Successful students will be able to:
• Demonstrate the ability to analyse research literature in education
• Evaluate and problem solve around method (philosophically and empirically)
• Engage with educational research reflectively and strategically o Learn independently

• A problem-based learning approach will be used alongside a mixture of lectures, practical classes and small group activities. Students will be grouped depending on session outcomes. Problem-based learning will support student engagement with the key concepts within and beyond their subject area.
• Lectures will give access to broad knowledge of key education research concepts and frameworks and help structure students own study and learning towards the learning objectives. Seminars will facilitate a more in-depth student engagement with themes and issues raised in the lectures. Tutorials will allow focused input around specific ideas. The format of lectures and in particular seminar exercises will enable students to critically discuss assessment issues.
• On-line materials / tutorials will also support self study activity.

Understanding of key elements and ideas will be checked informally throughout the course. Students will have the opportunity to produce a draft outline of their research protocol and will receive feedback before submission.

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