This course is designed to enable students to develop and conduct an independent educational research project that is relevant to their own area of interest. It focuses on training in a variety of research approaches, methods and data analysis techniques.

3 hours per week:

1x1- hour lecture

1x2- hour seminar

None

None

Mind-mapping of initial research ideas  (25%) - for the purposes of this assessment students will be asked to create mind-maps which identify a researchable educational topic, highlighting how this would inform their professional practice. As a part of the mind mapping, students will be required to conduct an initial literature search and present a list of key search terms that served as the foundation for their initial review of the literature. (ILOs 1 and 2)

Thematic exercises (75%) - this assessment is divided into three thematic exercises (the literature review,

qualitative research and quantitative research exercise) each worth 25% of the final grade. Students will be provided with templates that capture the steps of operationalizing a particular type of research, which students will have to complete. (ILOs 1, 2 and 3)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The overall aim of the course is to provide students with a foundational level of research literacy and to help them develop a set of skills needed to conduct independent educational research.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Explain the purposes of educational research, including how research can be used to inform professional practice

■ Critically evaluate different types and methods of educational research

■ Apply skills in designing, planning and conducting research relevant to educational contexts 

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.