Emergent Research Methodologies

All forms of cheating and dishonest practice are taken seriously and penalties will result. Students should refer to Regulation J of the General Course and Examination Regulations.

Grading Scale
Final results for this course will be reported using:
A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, D and E


Assessment procedures will follow the established policies of the College of Education Assessment Guidelines. Student work-load will be in line with other courses within the M.Ed.

The course is assessed according to the 5 generic assessment dimensions of the Masters programme. These are:

1. Depth and breadth of knowledge base and literature
2. Engagement in theoretical critique and debate
3. Engagement in reflective praxis
4. Active involvement in research
5. A high level of communication skills and overall coherence

The dimensions which apply to each assignment will be notified by the course lecturer with the details of the assignment topic. These five dimensions do not apply equally to every assignment. The rubric will show the relative application of each dimension.

You will receive a marking rubric for each assignment that will signal how the lecturer will grade your work.   

Grades

The final grade for the course as a whole will depend on factors such as evidence of particular insight, or flair and the surmounting of particular difficulties.

As this is course is online and the work is mainly asynchronous, the attendance requirements are met by regular particpation. Particpation in discussions, group activities and other tasks is expected and graded within the assignments set.

Teaching and the course will be assessed through the regular use of UC evaluative instruments.

Where necessary grades will be moderated by another member of faculty.

Work is late if it is handed in after the due date, without an extension having been granted.  Students will be advised of any penalties to be imposed for work handed in late without explanation. Penalties may range from a warning letter to the deduction of marks or grades.  Lecturers reserve the right not to mark work that is handed in late.  Students must check course outlines for details of policies on the submission of late work.

Web based and distance, plus one block on campus in Christchurch (but see note 1 below).

This course will require students to work in an online community of learners and to attend one block on campus in the first week of the course 10 am on Thursday 14th July – 4 pm on Friday 15th July (exceptions see note 1 below). The teaching will comprise discussions around readings and practical activities plus seminar presentations.  Students will be encouraged to ask probing questions, to read critically and broadly, and to reflect on their own practice (in the education profession or elsewhere) in the light of ideas considered in the course.  There will be a strong emphasis on structured, purposeful, rigorous dialogue.

Course content will comprise three strands, one for each broad strand of research namely: collaborative; Matauranga / Kaupapa Māori; and creative approaches. The three interlocking strands will draw out the principles of empirical and theoretical research, including ethical and socio-cultural understandings.
The course content will include:
• An overview of a range of a range of perspectives and their implications with a later focus on one: Practice-based, action research, and design-based research; Kaupapa Māori Research; Arts-based research and research into the aesthetic.
• An examination of concepts of knowledge including: relationship between ontology and epistemology; collective / cultural knowledge, accessible knowledge, aesthetics.
• Relationship between theory construction and evidence, plus issues of ‘rigour’, ‘credibility’, ‘value’ and ‘ethic’.    
• Application to each student’s professional context (or from which research may emerge from in future)

The course will enable participants to become critical analysts of research outputs, including those that have incorporated embodied research approaches. This critical element requires students to consider where they ‘stand’ in relation to the peoples of New Zealand including indigenous people.

In addition, this course enables participants to engage with one or more of the following broad forms of research:
• Kaupapa Māori research
• Practice-based research, action research, participatory action research, praxis-based research, self-study research, bricolage. Design-based research, research and development.
• Arts-based research and research into the aesthetic

Notes:
1. In exceptional circumstances students may negotiate with one of the course lecturers to miss the on campus block, but this will require exceptional effort to fit with the rest of the class, including the use of additional technologies such as web conferencing during and after the on campus days.
2. Conduct as an educational professional is expected.
3. Students are advised to familiarise themselves with learning online including UC Learn before the course starts. For this purpose the following book is also recommended: Lynch, M. (2004). Learning Online: A Guide to Success in the Virtual Classroom (Routledge Study Guides). London: Routledge.

All work submissed in this course whould be completed using APA format where relevant.

Conduct as an educational professional is expected.

Students are advised to familiarise themselves with learning online including UC Learn before the course starts. The following book is recommended: Lynch, M. (2004). Learning Online: A Guide to Success in the Virtual Classroom (Routledge Study Guides). London: Routledge.

Requests for extension should go in the first instance in writing to the lecturer responsible for the course. Genearlly it is possible to have an extension of up to 2 weeks following the published date.

One resubmit is allowed for each assignment; however no grade higher than a C will be awarded to resubmitted work.  Work that is to be resubmitted will be due one week after being returned to the student unless other arrangements are requested and granted by the lecturer.

Aegrotats are not available and all assignments must be completed.

All work in this course will be submitted online in UC Learn as directed in the assignment guidance.