11062 (v.6) Ed 620 - Foundations of Educational Research

Area:

Department of Education

Credits:

25.0

Contact Hours:

3.0

Lecture:

1 x 3 Hours Weekly

Syllabus:

Distinctions between positivistic and qualitative research paradigms, basic principles of experimental and quasi-experimental design, logic and application of statistical hypothesis testing, level of significance and power of statistical tests, parametric and nonparametric, generalisability and ecological validity, case study and other naturalistic research methods, problems.

Unit Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit students will have- Described the basic components of the research process. Shown evidence of an understanding of the methods and procedures which underpin research in education. Given examples of the different typesof research methodologies used by educational researchers. Shown evidence of an understanding of the limitations and strength of different research methodologies as applied to test particular hypotheses. Critically evaluated published 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:

Burns, R.B. (1994). Introduction to Research Methods in Education. Melbourne, Longman. 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. Merriam, S.B. (1988). Case Study Research in Education - A Qualitative Approach. San Francisco, Jossey-Bass Publishers. Sherman, R. and Webb, R. (1984). Qualitative Research in Education - Focus and Methods. London, Falmer Press. Stringer, E. (1996). Action Research. Beverly Hills, Sage Publications.

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.

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Assignment 1 - Basics of Educational Research 40%, Assignment 2 - Naturalistic Observation and Getting Started 40%, Tutorial Presentation 20%. This is by grade/mark assessment.

Year	Location	Period	Internal	Area External	Central External
2004	Bentley Campus	Semester 1	Y	Y
2004	Bentley Campus	Semester 2	Y