EDUC 7054 - Research Design

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

This course provides an introduction to all elements of designing a research project from developing a researchable question to ethical issues. It supports students in becoming critical consumers of research and provides strategies for searching for and critiquing literature. It also provides guidance on writing a research proposal.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code EDUC 7054
    Course Research Design
    Coordinating Unit School of Education
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible EDUC 7001
    Course Description This course provides an introduction to all elements of designing a research project from developing a researchable question to ethical issues. It supports students in becoming critical consumers of research and provides strategies for searching for and critiquing literature. It also provides guidance on writing a research proposal.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Igusti Darmawan

    Lecturer

    Dr Lynda MacLeod
    Teaching Dissertation Coordinator
    School of Education Room 8.26, Level 8, Nexus 10 10 Pulteney Street Adelaide SA 5005 AUSTRALIA
    Email: lynda.macleod@adelaide.edu.au
    Phone: 8313 5548
    Web: adelaide.edu.au

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to: APST (Graduate)*
    1 Evaluate and synthesize research materials to identify relevant areas for research 6.4, 7.4
    2 Convey research goals clearly in a variety of formats 6.4
    3 Interact and network effectively with peers in a team environment 6.3
    4 Demonstrate an understanding of ethical research considerations 7.1
    5 Demonstrate an understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies 6.4
    *Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level). Relevant only to Initial Teacher Education program students
    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    4,5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    2,3
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    3
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    4
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    The required reading for this course is:

    Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches, 5th Edition (2018) by Joan W. Creswell and J David Creswell.

    Hard copies are available in the library and there is a copy in Reserve.

    The companion website to the text is available at https://edge.sagepub.com/creswellrd5e and provides free access a range of valuable resources.
    Recommended Resources
    This text is highly recommended 

    • Cohen, Manion & Morrison (2011), Research Methods in Education, 7th Edition, Routledge.
    Additional resources are also available at the website for this book: http://cw.routledge.com/textbooks/cohen7e/
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    No information currently available.

    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Session Learning Outcomes
    1 Introduction: The nature of research 1
    2 Research problems, questions and hypothesis 1,2
    3 Qualitative, quantitative and mixed research approaches  1,4,5
    4 Ethics 1,4
    5 Library workshop 1
    6 Presentations 2
    7 Proposal development 1,2,3
    8 Literature reviews and abstracts 1
    9 Ensuring validity and reliability  5
    10 Proposals  3
    11 Generating data 1,4,5
    12 Analysing data 5
    Please note – all activities in this schedule will be addressed, but due to the interactive nature of this class some activities may be shifted to other sessions.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Note that at least 80% attendance at seminars is compulsory and that students must complete at least 3 assessment items (i.e. the presentation of the research proposal (group or individual), critical review OR research proposal AND reflective essay.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    This class focusses entirely on research skills development. Students meet twice at least in small groups to receive individual and peer feedback on their research proposals. Numerous small group activities with the Senior research active academic are included throughout the course.
  • Assessment

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

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

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome APST (Graudate)
    1. Group presentation Summative 30% 1, 2, 4 6.3, 6.4, 7.1
    2. Discussion & Reflection Summative 20% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 6.3, 6.4, 7.1, 7.4
    3. Research Proposal Summative 50% 3, 4, 5 6.4, 7.1
    *Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (Graduate Level). Relevant only to Initial Teacher Education program students
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students who are unable to provide justification for non-attendance will fail the course. Also completion of AT LEAST the group seminar presentation and either the critical review and reflective essay OR the research proposal are mandatory.
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment 1: Group presentation (30%)          
    • In small groups chose a research problem and design a research proposal presentation using powerpoint, prezi or alternative presentation format. The purpose of this assignment is to gain feedback on a research concept or idea. Your presentation will include 5-6 slides and run for 15-20 minutes.
    • Slide suggestions :1) Title and group members, 2) background / current knowledge, 3) research questions and/or hypothesis, 4) proposed methods of data collection and analysis, 5) ethical issues.
    • You will have in class time to work on and receive feedback on your presentations.
    Assessment 2: Discussion & Reflection (20%) 1,000 words
    This is a reflective discussion of the experience of working in collaborative research teams. Please address the following points:
    1. List group members.
    2. How did your team decide on a research topic? What roles were adopted, how did you allocate tasks, divide workloads and organise meetings?
    3. What challenges and issues did you experience as a team? 
    4. What were the strengths of your team?
    5. How would you do things differently?
    6. What were the strengths and weakness of the presentation?
    7. What was your most significant contribution?
    8. Should all members of the team receive the same grade? Explain in relation to ethical issues? 
    Assessment 3 Research Proposal: 2,000 words (50%)
    • Title: short and explanatory, avoid acronyms and quotation marks.
    • Background: project rationale, context, and the significant problem the research addresses (300 words).
    • Research questions, hypothesis, aims and objectives: aims identify the overall purpose of the study; objectives detail the means by which you will achieve those aims (200 words)
    • Literature review: synthesises the literature to detail progress in this field of research, identify a need for the research (800 words)
    • Methodology: outlines the conceptual/theoretical framework, design and methods. Explains your methods, the funds and resources you will need and any ethical issues (700 words).
    Write clearly and in plain English, use approximately 15 references (not included in word count).
     

    Submission
    All assignments must be submitted electronically either as blogs or as email attachments to the lecturer by 12:00 midnight of the Friday of the due week.
    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.

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