EDUC 735 : Researching Educational Settings

Education and Social Work

2022 Semester One (1223) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A detailed examination of the assumptions underlying, and processes and practices in different research traditions. The development of understandings of how to conduct research and to analyse, interpret and synthesise research-based information in educational or community settings.

Course Overview

The course aims to provide student with an understanding of research methodologies and methods that can be applied in educational and community settings. Our aim is to prepare students through this course to conduct their own research project. Within the course students will gain an overview of methods, but will have the opportunity to delve deeper into areas they are intersted in.
The course content is organised into the following areas:

  1.  Understanding the nature of social science research: How knowledge is generated and evaluated for reliability, validity and/or credibility.  What interests and values are inherent in different approaches to research and inquiry?
  2. The nature of the problem one wants to understand or solve: Which research approach is most appropriate? Which one is feasible? Understanding the relationship between the research question and subsequent research design.
  3. Understanding of processes associated with qualitative and quantitative modes of inquiry and research design: This will include research design, options for data collection, measurement and data presentation and analysis, ethical considerations.    
  4. Getting started with your own research: interpreting and synthesising knowledge relevant to a selected problem or question/s in order to design a cogent and coherent research project.

Course Requirements

Restriction: EDPROFST 756

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Master of Education

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationship between research paradigms, research questions, methods of inquiry and knowledge claims in research (Capability 1.1, 2.1 and 3.1)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of processes associated with qualitative and quantitative modes of inquiry and research design. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.3 and 3.1)
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the research question and subsequent research design. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 2.1)
  4. Interpret and synthesise knowledge relevant to selected practice in order to write a cogent and coherent research proposal. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.3, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3)
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical considerations that need to be addressed when undertaking research. (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  6. Develop an understanding of the complexities inherent in undertaking research in diverse settings in Aoteora New Zealand (Capability 2.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 20% Individual Coursework
Assignments 30% Individual Coursework
Presentation 10% Individual Coursework
Assignments 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Assignments
Assignments
Presentation
Assignments

To pass this course students must submit all assessments and achieve at least 50% for the overall course.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in
each 30 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures per week, approximately 12 hours of deep reading and working through content and exploring new literature related to your chosen focus of research and 5 hours of work on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance in class as well as engagement with course activities and deep reading of the weekly readings supports academic success. Therefore it is strongly recommended that students make every effort to attend class and complete all the necessary readings prior to class. Attendance is expected at lectures to support your learning. Lectures will not be available as recordings as they include discussions and group work. Other learning activities include online reading materials and video material.

Attendance on campus is required for the final presentation, if you cannot attend please talk to the course director at least a week prior.

Students who would like to complete their assessment in te reo need to signal this to the course director before the first assignment is due. Students are also urged to discuss any impairment-related requirements face-to-face and/or in written form with the course director.

Course Director: Dr Frauke Meyer

Email: f.meyer@auckland.ac.nz

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

You are expected to read specific chapters from the textbook and/or supplemetary readings throughout the course as assigned to each session. The following textbook is required for this course - you need to purchase a hard or ebook copy or borrow it from the library:

Punch, K., & Oancea, A. (2014). Introduction to research methods in education (2nd ed.). Sage.

here are some options to get hold of the book...
Kohia shop - they will stock copies of the book
University book shop - pick up on city campus or ship
Fishpond  - ships from the UK so order early
Amazon  - has an ebook version
Googlebooks  - ebook version, seems the cheapest

Order the book before the course so you can read the required chapter before each lecture. We will make chapters for te first session available for those whose books have not arrived. Please read the required chapters before the lecture  so you can actively engage in the lecture and discussions. 

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

This course uses Turnitin to check assignments.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Please note that the Faculty of Education has programme student representatives rather than class representatives as most courses have small student numbers. Please feel free to raise concerns, provide feedback, or ask questions about the course with the course director.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 27/10/2021 10:05 a.m.