Educational research methodology
Associate Professor G L Rowley
12 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton/Distance
* Prerequisites: none
Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to develop researchable questions in areas of research interest; write a research proposal and an ethics application suitable for a higher degree study; make appropriate choices about research strategies; review literature systematically; gather suitable data; conduct appropriate analyses, and report the findings concisely but accurately. Students should have at least a basic knowledge of the elementary statistical procedures available, and should know when to seek assistance. Students should be able to critically analyse their own research and the research of others, and should be sensitive to the ethical issues raised by research with people.
Synopsis This subject provides a general introduction to the field of research methodology, introducing students to a variety of research methods used in education, psychology, health sciences and related fields, and providing the background knowledge that they need to make rational decisions about research strategies. Research methods to be given particular attention are experimental, quasi-experimental, surveys and case studies. Ethical constraints, codes of ethics and the requirements for gaining ethical approval will be given attention. The different research strategies will be introduced by critical examination of exemplar studies, focusing on the relationship between the research questions and the methods of collecting and analysing data. Students will be given guidance in developing researchable questions, writing research proposals and reports, conducting literature reviews, and in using computers for data presentation and simple statistical analyses. The subject includes a basic introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics, but students wishing to develop their skills in these areas are encouraged to proceed to GED0807 (Statistical analysis). Similarly, students wishing to develop further skills in survey techniques should consider the subject GED0805 (Survey research methods).
Assessment Assignments (4000 words): 65%
* Examination (1.5 hours):
35%
Prescribed texts
Wiersma W Research methods in education: An introduction Allyn and Bacon, 1995
Recommended texts
Betts K and Seitz A Writing essays in the social sciences Nelson and Wadsworth, 1994
Burns R B Introduction to research methods in education Longman Cheshire, 1994
Lindsay D A guide to scientific writing Longman, 1995
Polit D and Hughes B Nursing research: Principles and methods Lippincott, 1991
Seaman C H Research methods: Principles, practice and theory for nursing Appleton and Lange, 1987
Wadsworth Y Do it yourself social research Victorian Council of Social Services, 1991
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