EDUCSW 700 : Research Methodologies

Education and Social Work

2024 Semester One (1243) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Students explore two content strands. The first strand focuses on philosophical and theoretical questions about how we use and produce knowledge. The course takes a high-level view of methodological assumptions underlying different research traditions including Māori, Pasifika and other Indigenous research. The second strand focuses on understanding how to collect, interpret and synthesise research information in education and social services.

Course Overview

This course aims to prepare graduates to be skilled consumers of research: able to access it, locate it in its contexts, identify its legitimacy, read it with a critical eye, respond to it where necessary, and use it to make a difference in their worlds.
It also prepares graduates to be skilled producers of high-quality research: able to identify worthwhile questions; understand how to locate or generate relevant and valid evidence; analyse, interpret, and articulate their findings clearly; and to ethically put their evidence and claims to work in their communities and fields of practice. As well as offering the chance for explorations of the research landscape, the course helps students prepare a research proposal in their chosen field of study using selected methods and methodologies.

Course Requirements

Restriction: EDPRAC 751, EDPROFST 700, 754, 757, EDUC 735, 787, EDUCSW 701, HIGHED 704, SOCWORK 718

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Education

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Evaluate selected philosophical and theoretical traditions that inform research in education, health, social, and community contexts (Capability 1.3 and 2.1)
  2. Critically appraise, critique, compare and contrast various relevant research methodologies and methods (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 6.1, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3)
  3. Understand and analyse the methodological (including method) components of a range of research studies (Capability 4.1, 4.3, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3)
  4. Design and defend a plan, in relation to a particular question, to use a selected methodology in order to collect, analyse, and interpret research information (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 100% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
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. Following University workload guidelines, these hours of study comprise both active participation in lectures and face-to-face and online discussions, as well as independent study including deep reading, working through content, accessing learning and study resources, exploring new literature related to your chosen field of research, and assignment preparation and completion. Associated policy and information can be found via this link: Coursework, tests and examinations information.

Delivery Mode

Online

ONLINE

This course can be completed as an online course. Online attendance is expected at scheduled weekly Zoom sessions. Course materials and activities are provided online. It is expected that students will complete each module, activities, discussions, and readings according to the teaching week in which they are scheduled to create a learning community. Full participation in and completion of all the online activities is strongly recommended for success in this course. This course runs to the University semester 2 timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

ON-CAMPUS

For the on-campus course, students will join the  weekly Zoom sessions of the online course. These workshops are for both group of students. On-campus students will have additional tutorial sessions on-campus. Attendance is expected at both scheduled weekly Zoom sessions and on-campus, in person tutorials. Course materials and activities are provided online. It is expected that students will complete each module, activities, discussions, and readings according to the teaching week in which they are scheduled to create a learning community. Full participation in and completion of all the online activities is strongly recommended for success in this course. This course runs to the University semester 2 timetable, and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

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.

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool, Canvas, which also includes reading lists, videos, a range of resources, and links to external resources to support you with this course. The reading list on Talis, includes a range of texts which will support you in your learning and completing the assignments. There is a textbook for the course that should be purchased before the course starts. It can be ordered via the NZCER website.

Meyer, F.  & Meissel, K. (Eds.). Research Methods in Education and the Social Disciplines in Aotearoa New Zealand. NZCER.

Please remember that the recording of any class or tutorial on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Some lecture content may be recorded but these will not include group discussions in break-out rooms.

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.

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 coordinators 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.
At the end of every semester, students are invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET. We sometimes ask for interim feedback using a tool called Qualtrics. The lecturers and course coordinator will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students, so please respond honestly and constructively to the feedback survey.
Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Feedback from the previous semesters has seen the course structure amended and assignment exemplars added. We have also continued to add content and continuously review and update course materials.

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 for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Please note that this course uses Turnitin to check student assignments for plagiarism issues.

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.

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 26/10/2023 10:13 a.m.