Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Education School
This course critically examines the history of educational research and the ethical considerations necessary to balance the rights and responsibilities of researchers, participants and the community. It considers the epistemological assumptions of widely used research designs and the relationship between research questions and the choice of particular designs. The course explores indepth systematic practices and strategies that can improve the quality of research. The genres within which research is written and the communication of research to a variety of audiences are considered. Students will build their skills and knowledge in the conduct of educational research throughout the course.
This course may not be offered in person if the enrolment is less than 10 students.
This is a core course of the Master of Educational Studies program. As indicated by the title, the course is about research methods in education. Methods are tools and strategies that are utilized for collecting information and producing evidence that can serve as a basis for education policy and practice. But the course is not just about the nuts and bolts of research; it is about doing education research in a socially responsive, critically conscious and ethically responsible way. The course takes an innovative approach and emphasizes all key aspects of conducting research including its thinking, reading, doing and writing. It is targeted at three groups of prospective students in the field of education: those who are planning to undertake higher research degrees in the near or distant future; those who are currently teaching or will be teaching in the future and need to develop an understanding of research including a critical consumption of research output which can help in theirﾠpractice; and those who have an inherent interest in research and knowledge construction for its own sake, particularly in the field of education.
The course is divided into threeﾠmodules, with attention to 'writing research' as a fourth area of attention. Theﾠmodules about Designing and Conducting Qualitative and Quantitative researchﾠfocus on methods, strategies and techniques of qualitative and quantitative methods and data. The Ethical Conduct of Research moduleﾠdeals with the emergence and regulation of ethics and doing educational research as an ethical practice.ﾠThe Writing Research materialﾠhas a focus on major research genres, with reference to the quality and strategy of writing and how writing is related to research impact.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
EDUC7025, SLAT7806
Restrictions
This course is restricted to Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies and Master of Educational Studies students only.
Quota: Minimum 10 student enrolments for In Person offering
Jointly taught details
This course is jointly-taught with:
- Another instance of the same course
This course has Internal and External offerings and will be run in a hybrid environment with simultaneous synchronous in-person and online delivery.
Course contact
Course staff
Tutor
Dr Yifei Liang
Ms Siyu Liu
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
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Aims and outcomes
The aims of the course are to:
1. Identify and discuss ethical issues in educational research with reference to the emergence and regulation of ethics and ethical conduct of research;
2. Explore and contextualize the use of qualitative research in education with reference to key methods and data analysis techniques;
3. Overview major quantitative methods, data analysis techniques and strategies to develop a critical appreciation of statistical reasoning and analyses; and
4. Discuss and critically evaluate processes and practices around writing research in the context of research impact and dissemination. ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand issues around the ethical conduct of research and apply this understanding to educational research;
LO2.
Demonstrate understanding of the use of qualitative research in education and of the rationale, processes and strategies of collecting and analysing qualitative data;
LO3.
Critically evaluate the rationale, strategies and techniques of quantitative research design and data analysis
LO4.
Analyse and compare key writing research genres and discuss their roles in research dissemination and impact
LO5.
Construct a research proposal that demonstrates and applies your knowledge and understanding of designing a research project in education
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Assignment 1: Literature Review | 40% 2000 words |
4/09/2024 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Assignment 2: Writing a research proposal | 60% 2500 words |
25/10/2024 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Assignment 1: Literature Review
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40% 2000 words
- Due date
4/09/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L04
Task description
The aim of this assessment task is to help you identify a research topic that you are interested in and for which you would like to develop a detailed research proposal for the final assessment task in this course. You will need to review relevant research studies on your selected topic to provide an adequate justification for the research. This is not an annotated bibliography; your aim should be to critically review the studies, synthesize the findings and draw on these findings to make a case for the proposed topic. This literature review can be used to help inform Assignment 2. Performing this first assessment task successfully will require you to:
- Specify clearly the research problem/topic/issue that you are proposing to investigate;
- Review and synthesize relevant, timely and substantive studies; and
- Identity a ‘gap’ - an under-researched area - in the literature to provide justification for the research.
The review should focus on relevant and up-to-date research on the topic. Although a fixed format for the assessment task is not prescribed, it is expected that there will be:
* an introduction about the nature of the topic;
* a body where the studies will be reviewed and;
* a conclusion where justification for the 'gap' in the topic will be provided.
Length: 2000 words
Submission guidelines
Please submit through Turnitin in Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
Assignment 2: Writing a research proposal
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 60% 2500 words
- Due date
25/10/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Write a research proposal on a topic of your interest. The research proposal should demonstrate your ability to develop a clear overview of a project, focused on your particular topic. This proposal must reflect an understanding of the nature of 'good' research. In other words, you will be applying what you have learned during the course.
The focus of the research proposal is on your ability to APPLY your understanding of particular approaches (qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods) to a specific education topic. Most people will develop their proposal based on the original topic in their first assignment (literature review), but this is not compulsory.
The format of the research proposal should be similar to the framework provided and discussed during class.
Your submission can include references from the required and recommended readings but you must include sources/readings beyond the course materials, focused on the specific research methods you have chosen.
Length: 2500 words
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: No evidence of engagement with assessment requirements. No critical analysis of readings. No understanding of research methods demonstrated. Extremely poor written presentation with no argument. |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Very minimal engagement with assessment requirements. Critical understanding of research requirements severely lacking. Written presentation extremely poor. Ideas lack structure. No argument presented. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Lack of engagement with assessment requirements. Poor critical analysis of research, methodologies and analytical techniques. Substandard written presentation and argument. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Satisfies all of the basic requirements for the course and course objectives. Some elaboration of ideas and arguments, some degree of coherence and organisation and appropriate length. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates a good understanding of course objectives in relation to research methods and ethical issues through good analysis and synthesis of different perspectives and valid argument and coherent communication. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates strong awareness and understanding of course objectives in relation to research methods and ethical issues through detailed analysis and synthesis of diverse perspectives, valid argument and excellent communication. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates comprehensive and complex understanding of course objectives in relation to research methods and ethical issues through critical analysis and synthesis of diverse perspectives, original argument and excellent communication. |
Additional course grading information
A student will be awarded a Grade (1-7) for each assessment task based on the assessment criteria. The final grade in the course will be calculated by adding all grades obtained by a student in all assessment tasks using a formula that takes into account the weighting of each assessment task. For example, if you receive 6 in Task 1 and 7 in Task 2, your final grade will be (6x.4) 2.4ﾠ+ (7x.6) 4.2ﾠ= 5.64ﾠrounded up as 6.
In the case where the final grade is 0.5 or above, the grade will be rounded up to the nearest whole number (e.g. 5.5 would become 6). In the case where the final grade is 0.49 or below, the grade will be rounded down to the nearest whole number (e.g. 6.49 would become 6).
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
All assessment tasks will be submitted through the course blackboard site using Turnitin.
The following applies to all assessments in this course:
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the 'Assessment' folder in Blackboard for this course.
Release of assessment item marks and feedback
In addition to the grade awarded, feedback will be provided in a timely manner to enable students to apply the feedback to further tasks within the course or program and/or plan for supplementary assessment, requests for re-mark, or re-enrolment. However, as per UQ Policy and Procedures Library under the Assessment Policy, results for the final assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released. Time frames for applications for assessment re-mark are indicated under the Assessment Procedure.
Re-mark policy
After each assessable item, students will be given the opportunity to view their assessment and so satisfy themselves that a marking or administrative error has not occurred. The formal process of querying a course result (requesting a remark on academic grounds) is set out in the UQ Policy and Procedures Library under the Assessment Procedure.
Use of generative AI to support or inform assessment
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. ﾠWhilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.ﾠTo pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Seminar |
Week 1: Introduction and course overview 23 July, 2024 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 2:Qualitative & Quantitative Research:Context 30 July 2024 Learning outcomes: L02, L05 |
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 3: Qualitative Research: Policy 6 August, 2024 Learning outcomes: L02, L05 |
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 4: Methods of Qualitative Research 13 August, 2024 Learning outcomes: L02, L05 |
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 5: Qualitative data analysis 20 August, 2024 Learning outcomes: L02, L05 |
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Seminar |
Week 6: Conducting Lit Review 27 August, 2024 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Seminar |
Week 8: Quantitative Research Processes 10 September, 2024 Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Seminar |
Week 9: Mixed Methods 17 September, 2024 Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Seminar |
Week 10: Ethical Principles and Approaches 1 October, 2024 Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Seminar |
Week 11: Practising Ethics in Educational Research 8 October, 2024 Learning outcomes: L01, L05 |
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Seminar |
Week 12: Academic Writing & Research Impact 15 October, 2024 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Seminar |
Week 13: Q&A - Finalising Research Proposal 22 October, 2024 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.