Special Topic: Research Methods in Education

Description

This course provides theoretical foundations and practical experiences in a range of research methodologies in education: qualitative, quantitative, time series, bicultural, and social policy. Course content will include the nature of educational research, ethics, approaches to critical analyses of published research, research design, validity and reliability, the selection of research participants, methods of data collection and analysis, and presentation of research findings. Students involved with schools or early childhood centres or other organisations will work collaboratively with professionals at the organisation to identify an appropriate research topic to investigate (e.g. an aspect of the learning and/or development of children) and develop and implement a research plan. Students not involved with organisations may choose to undertake a similar practical research project or to develop a detailed research proposal.

The objectives of the course are that students develop a broad understanding of the characteristics and methods of educational research, including:
• the nature and role of research in our understanding of educational phenomena;
• ethical principles and procedures, and bicultural issues in relation to research;
• searching literature databases and critiquing research articles within the literature; and
• the characteristics and techniques involved in a range of research approaches:  qualitative, quantitative, evaluation and Kaupapa Maori, bicultural research.

In addition, students will develop the skills of justifying, planning, describing and reporting data collection and analysis, and presenting a research proposal.