Master of Education (Research) (MEd(Research))

• Introduction to course
  • Clayton, Gippsland and Peninsula campuses
• Objectives
• Admission requirements
• Course structure
  • Clayton campus
  • Gippsland campus
  • Peninsula campus
• Length of course/workload required
• Further information

Introduction to course

Clayton, Gippsland and Peninsula campuses

Course code: 0077 (Clayton, Gippsland and Peninsula), (formerly EREDDG Gippsland)

Contact: Dr Robin Small (Clayton), Dr Graham Dettrick (Gippsland) and Dr Ros Smith (Peninsula) or Ms Sue Webb (Clayton)

The Master of Education (Research) is a research degree and candidates are required to carry out an independent study which is reported in a thesis.

Objectives

The objectives of the Master of Education course are to:

• give candidates who have excellent research potential, but who may lack the academic grounding in research methodology, the opportunity to enter the MEd via MEd (Preliminary) candidature. Candidates are permitted to progress to the MEd upon completion of appropriate masters level coursework subjects with distinguished results (eg HD or D);
• enable candidates to pursue independent and original research with the assistance of a member of the academic staff of the faculty who has proven expertise in the area of study;

• develop an awareness of a research ethos with the wider objective of encouraging publications, conference papers and continued research interest in the chosen field;
• inspire and motivate candidates to move on to conducting ground-breaking research at doctoral level.

Admission requirements

Applicants must have demonstrated in earlier courses of study that they have the ability and persistence necessary to carry out independent research. In general, applicants may be admitted if they have completed the BEdSt degree or the BEd degree with creditable results or have an honours degree in a field that is an appropriate preparation for the proposed area of research; preference is given to applicants with some qualifications in education. Applicants whose qualifications do not meet these criteria may be admitted to preliminary candidature (which normally involves enrolling for several subjects and demonstrating competence to pursue research work). Further details are given in the MEd regulations. Prospective applicants should obtain a copy of `Research degrees in education: Resource booklet' from any of the three campuses.

In all cases, admission depends on the availability of a member of staff for supervision of the applicant's approved thesis topic. Candidates who are intending to carry out an empirical research project for the degree should complete a relevant research methodology subject - unless given credit for equivalent studies, or otherwise exempted by the faculty's research degrees committee.

Course structure

Clayton campus

Research areas available from the Clayton campus include:

• learning and instruction, psychological assessment and remedial strategies, developmental psychology, behaviour and its modification;
• economics and education and training, sociology of education, educational policy and management, Asian studies, adult and vocational education and training;
• philosophical studies, historical studies, English language, literacy and literature, second language education, education and the law;
• curriculum and teaching, measurement and evaluation in education, science and environmental education, mathematics and technology education, computing and educational technology.

Gippsland campus

Areas of current research available from the Gippsland campus include transition from primary to secondary schooling; health and education issues; literacy; writing process and genres; evaluation of reading recovery; information technology; gender issues; history of education; music education history; learner-managed learning; capability; educational psychology areas; teaching philosophy in schools; Koori education, gifted and talented education; school librarianship; research on teaching and teacher education; school-based teacher education; supervision of the practicum; science education; convergence of education and technology; and industry- education partnerships.

Peninsula campus

Research areas available from the Peninsula campus include:

• curriculum studies - development and evaluation in such areas as art, social studies, human movement and recreation, and environmental studies;
• educational studies - in such areas as schools and community, teacher- pupil interaction, special assistance, educational management, history of education, school development, school effectiveness and school improvement.

Length of course/workload required

This course consists of two years full-time study or four years part-time study. A full-time candidate is expected to devote at least four days a week to the research project (two days a week for a part-time candidate).

Further information

Applications for admission to MEd(Research) candidature may be lodged at any time of the year. A preliminary discussion with the appropriate campus adviser before making formal application is highly desirable.

Further information regarding this course may be obtained from any of the faculty's campuses: the inquiry office, Clayton campus (telephone 9905 2899 or 9905 2784); the administrative officer, Gippsland campus (telephone (03) 51 22 6375 or (03) 9902 6375); the administrative officer, Peninsula campus (telephone 9904 4291).