EDUC 7001NA - Educational Inquiry

Ngee Ann Academy - Quadmester 4 - 2014

This course provides an introduction to educational inquiry and research, and to issues involved in interpreting the findings of inquiry to enable students to become critical consumers of educational research for enhancing professional practice. The role of literature in educational inquiry is examined, and techniques and strategies for critiquing literature are developed. The modules in the course provide a grounding in key concepts, and qualitative and quantitative research designs to develop understanding and skills in particular methods of data collection and analysis. The modules of study include epistemology in the social sciences, the philosophical foundations of modern research strategies, the general classes of research investigations in education, and will help students to develop their skills to better support them in reading and understanding research projects. This course is an initial preparation for writing project work, thesis and dissertation in education.

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Course Details

Course Code	EDUC 7001NA
Course	Educational Inquiry
Coordinating Unit	School of Education
Term	Quadmester 4
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	Ngee Ann Academy
Units	3
Restrictions	M Ed students only - Singapore
Assessment	readings/discussion portfolio, research review presentation, research

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Michelle Picard

Course Coordinator: Dr Michelle Picard
Phone: (+61) (0)8 8313 0855

Email: michelle.picard@adelaide.edu.au

Skype: michelle.picard8

Rooms: TBA

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Develop students’ understanding of the nature and process of social research

2. Develop students’ ability to select a research project topic, plan a research project, develop researchable questions and communicate these issues clearly in oral and written form

3. Develop students’ understanding of the relationship of theory, knowledge and practice as it applied to contemporary research in education and their ability to explain these relationships in oral and written form

4. Develop students’ ability to critically review and evaluate educational literature and identify areas for future research

5. Develop students’ ability to evaluate and select a research design and data collection and evaluation instruments (both qualitative and quantitative) in harmony with a chosen paradigm

6. Develop students’ ability to evaluate research according to standards of validity, reliability and ethics

7. Develop students’ ability to write, present and defend a research proposal for a well-designed research project

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1,3,4,5,6,7
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	6,7
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1,6
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	4,7
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	1,4,5,6,7
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	4,5,6,7
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	6
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	6

Learning Resources

Required Resources

1. Cohen, Manion and Morrison (2011) Research Methods in Education 7th Edition, Routledge: UK.

Recommended Resources

1. http://cw.routledge.com/textbooks/cohen7e/powerpoints.asp

2. Bryman, A. (2008) Social Research Methods 4th Edition, Oxford University Press, UK.

3. Terreblanche, Durrheim and Painter (2007) Research in Practice: Applied Methods for the Social Sciences 2nd Edition, University of Cape Town Press, South Africa.

4. Additional course-related material and examples of research articles are available on MyUni.

Online Learning

Additional course-related material is available through MyUni.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

No information currently available.

Workload

No information currently available.

Learning Activities Summary

No information currently available.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

No information currently available.

Assessment Detail

No information currently available.

Submission

No information currently available.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator