Postgraduate - UnitEDF6031 - Masters thesis part 1

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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12 points, SCA Band 1, 0.250 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Education
Offered	Clayton First semester 2014 (Flexible) Clayton Second semester 2014 (Flexible)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Cynthia Joseph

Synopsis

This is a research study unit focusing on a particular theory, issue, challenge, dilemma, concern or problem in the field of education, undertaken with a supervisor. Although students will be expected to demonstrate initiative and independence, the supervisor will offer guidance, support and feedback over the course of the research. The unit is designed for students who are intending to undertake further higher degree studies. Graduates who have successfully completed the Masters thesis (both part 1 and part 2) will be able to use this 16,000 word study as evidence of independent research experience in an application for entry into the PhD or Doctor of Education programs.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit (and EDF6032) students should be able to:

produce a thesis that displays competence at understanding and carrying out research in the field of education, but with less emphasis on comprehensive knowledge and originality as required in a PhD or EdD
devise a research topic to investigate that is feasible within the two-unit time frame
identify key research questions that are not too general and ambitious
select and review relevant theory and literature
design a study and choose appropriate methods to investigate research questions
select appropriate modes of analysis
consider ethical issues involved in research
implement, critically appraise or apply research in a particular field
prepare a comprehensive written report that is professionally presented and contains all the required components including a bibliography at the end.

Assessment

The Masters of Education thesis is a 16,000 word dissertation and is the formal assessment task for this unit (together with EDF6032).

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Cynthia Joseph

Workload requirements

Minimum total expected workload comprises:
(a.) Overall requirements:
+ 24 hours per week

Prerequisites

Successful completion of one of the compulsory research units EDF6001, EDF6005, EDF6006, EDF6007, EDF6008 or EDF6009 plus three other masters units