Education Research Methodology

Subject 460-557 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Parkville , On Campus
For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 hours 125 hours of total commitment
Total Time Commitment: 125 hours total commitment
Prerequisites: 150 points of study in the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) or Master of Teaching (Secondary)
Corequisites: 460-558 Research Project
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability
Subject Overview: This subject will guide the student through the structure and design of an education research study including; critical evaluation of the literature; the purposes and characteristics of qualitative and quantitative methodologies and descriptive and statistical techniques for data collection; procedures for preparing and executing a research project including make decisions about design and analysis and ethical considerations for the conduct of the project. Students will be expected to obtain a supervisor and to present a research proposal and presentation of their proposed project as part of the seminar series
Objectives: On completion of this subject teacher candidates should be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the processes in the conduct of research;
  • Demonstrate knowledge of current research in a particular area of education;
  • Understand the relationship between issues and methodology in research;
  • Participate in reflective and critical discussion of current issues in research in education.
Assessment: A research proposal (4,000 words) due a week after the end of the delivery period.
Prescribed Texts:
  • Kervin L, Vialle, W, Herrington and K Okely, (2006), Research for Educators, Thomson Social Science Press
  • Opie C, ed., (2004) Doing educational research: a guide to first time researchers, Sage publications, London.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: On completion of this subject, teacher candidates will have the knowledge, skills and understanding to enable them to:
  • Be skilled communicators who can effectively articulate and justify relationships between theory research and teaching
  • Be flexible and able to adapt to change through knowing how to learn using research processes;
  • Understand the significance of developing their practice on the basis of research evidence;
  • Work in teams with skills in cooperation, communication and negotiation to engage in reflective and critical discussion of research in education;
  • Be independent of mind, responsible, resilient, self-regulating;
  • Have a conscious personal and social values base and apply to their work
Related Course(s): Master of Teaching (Early Childhood)
Master of Teaching (Secondary)
Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Research

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