11048 (v.3) Ed 500 - Foundations of Educational Research

Area:	Department of Education
Credits:	25.0
Contact Hours:	3.0
Lecture:	1 x 3 Hours Weekly
Syllabus:	Qualitative and quantitative research paradigms, basic principles of experimental design, logic and application of statistical hypothesis testing, parametric tests, ability to be generalised. Strengths and limitations of qualitative case study research, sources of problems to be investigated, determining boundaries in the study, controlling bias. Validation, interpretation, analysis and reporting.

Unit Outcomes:	On successful completion of this unit students will have- Demonstrated knowledge of the basic components of the research process. Critically evaluated published educational research. Applied knowledge of educational research methods in the design of a research project. Developed and written a research proposal conforming to the conventions of educational research.
Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.
Unit References:	American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication Manual. (fifth edition). NY, APA. Burns, R.B. (1994). Introduction to Research Methods in Education. Melbourne, Longman Cheshire. Ely, M. (1991). Doing Qualitative Research - Circles Within Circles.NY, Falmer Press. Erickson, F. (1986). Qualitative Methods in Research on Teaching - Handbook for Research on Teaching. NY, MacMillan. Gall, M.D., Borg, W.R., and Gall, J. (1996). Educational Research: An Introduction. (sixth edition). NY, Longman. LeCompte, M.D., Milroy, W.L. and Preissle, J. (1992). The Handbook of Qualitative Research in Education. San Diego, Academic Press. Merriam, S.B. (1988). Case Study Research in Education - A Qualitative Approach. San Francisco, Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Unit Texts:	Fraenkel, J.R. and Wallen, N.E. (2001). How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education. (fifth edition). NY, McGraw-Hill. Crotty, M. (1998). The Foundations of Social Research. Sydney, Allen and Unwin. Samson, J., Radloff, A. and de la Harpe, B, (1997), The Essay - A Guide to Writing Essays and Reports in Education. (third edition). Bentley, Curtin University of Technology.

Unit Assessment Breakdown:	Assignment - Preliminary Review of Pertinent Literature 40%, Tutorial Presentation 10%, Research Proposal 50%. This is by grade/mark assessment.