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ED60272: Educational research: philosophy and practice

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2015/6
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Education
Further information on credits Credits: 18
Further information on unit levels Level: Doctoral (FHEQ level 8)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Modular (no specific semester)
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Assignment (CW 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
The unit's aims are to provide participants with a critical understanding of:
(i) the philosophical issues concerned with the limits and possibilities of educational research as a means of gaining knowledge and understanding of educational systems and processes;
(ii) those principles, theories, techniques and standards of judgement associated with the collection, analysis and interpretation of quantitative data; and a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of such processes;
(iii) those principles, theories, techniques and standards of judgement associated with the collection, analysis and interpretation of qualitative data, and a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of such processes;
(iv) the different forms of representation which can be used in the generation of educational theories;
(v) when it is appropriate to employ particular methodologies and methods, to collect certain types of data, and use particular modes of analysis.

Learning Outcomes:
As a result of the development of that critical understanding, participants will be able to:
(i) understand and evaluate the approaches to research described in published papers, and be able to form critical judgements about the worth and effectiveness of such research;
(ii) make appropriate judgements about which approaches to educational research they can most appropriately use in their own research enquiries so as to meet their own research objectives;
(iii) carry through those enquiries efficiently and effectively, and thus meet the requirements of the EdD degree as a whole.

Skills:
(i) Apply a systematic and coherent approach to critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of ideas, information and issues that is well-grounded in existing educational research and literature (intellectual skill)
(ii) Identify and address complex and/or emerging issues in education and make informed judgements in the absence of complete or consistent information (professional/ practical skill)
(iii) Continually develop and enhance participants' own practice through critical reflection and practical action with the aim of improving conditions for the development of all involved in the educational enterprise (professional/ practical skill)
(iv) Recognise and judge the value, relevance and reliability of information drawn from multiple sources (theory, research, policy and emerging practice) and interpret that information in ways that cultivate improvements to practical activity and decision-making (professional/ practical skill)
(v) Continually develop and enhance participants' own practice and influence the practice of others through critical reflection and practical action with the aim of improving conditions for the development of all involved in the educational enterprise (professional/ practical skill)
(vi) Use networked learning technologies as a means of developing one's own professional practice and scholarship (professional/ practical skill).

Content:
Section 1: The Philosophy of Educational Research
(i) Positivism and Empiricism in the natural and social sciences: Foundationalism and its problems.
(ii) Post-empiricist theories of natural and social sciences: the problems of Naturalism: Judgmental relativism and its problems. Critical and post-modern theories of research enquiry.
(iii) The links between the philosophy of research methodologies and research methods - problem-based methodologies.
Section 2: Quantitative Approaches
(i) An introduction to the principles and techniques of quantitative data analysis
(ii) Quantitative literacy: the limits and possibilities of statistical enquiry.
(iii) The critical reading of quantitative research.
Section 3: Qualitative Approaches
(i) An introduction to the various qualitative techniques including: interviewing, grounded theory, ethnography, participantt observation, analytical induction, action research, and life histories.
(ii) Qualitative literacy: the limits and possibilities of qualitative enquiry.
(iii) The critical reading of qualitative research.
Section 4: The Application of Research Methodologies and Methods
(i) Research ethics.
(ii) When to apply either quantitative or qualitative techniques and why.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

ED60272 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Education
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2015/16 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2016/17 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2015/16.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.