TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY

TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES & LAW

Educational Research: Practice and Planning

EDU4097

MODULE LEADER

Dr Ewan Ingleby

LEVEL: 7

CREDITS: 30

E-learning@Tees (often referred to as Blackboard)

Your studies on this module are supported by our virtual learning environment which can be accessed through this link: https://eat.tees.ac.uk/webapps/portal/execute/tabs/tabAction?tab_tab_group_id=_9_1It is important to check the module site regularly as key announcements, learning materials and assessment information will be posted there.

Module Overview and Aims

This module is designed to offer you the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of research methods in education. It will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to develop an independent research study into an area of education which they will then conduct for their dissertation. The selection of research area and method of enquiry will be decided in consultation with the module leader. It aims to enable you to:

identify and develop the skills required to carry out educational enquiry;

classify and discuss the main paradigms utilised in educational enquiry;

formulate and defend a research proposal.

Module Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to evidence:

An ability to apply a systematic and critical understanding of academic literature to operate within a clear ethical framework for their chosen research area.

A sophisticated knowledge of the role and use of techniques and methodologies appropriate to their own educational research.

Designing a substantial investigation into an area of education, including consideration and application of appropriate research methods, theories, evidence, and applications to contemporary discourses in the field of educational research.

The ability to analyse complex and contradictory theories including planning, considering, and resolving ethical issues, data collection, and analysis.

Responsibility for own learning by selecting a topic and acting autonomously in planning tasks at a professional level.

Teaching and Learning

The module has been designed in accordance with Teesside Universitys Future Facing Learning (FFL) Strategy: a distinct pedagogic approach underpinning our commitment to delivering Education 4.0. The University Academic Enhancement Framework (AEF) provides the structure through which FFL is embedded with Academic practice and the module has drawn upon the AEF to inform its design.The FFL toolkit will be used to support the exploration of published literature in the field of education as well as interrogating relevant data sets. Learning on this module is through a blended approach of lectures, normally 9 hours provision, and tutor led, and student led seminars. The module usesrecorded lectures to support the face-to-face teaching. During seminars students will practice data collection techniques and conduct some basic analysis on qualitative and quantitative data sets.

Academic Support and Guidance

Lecture slides and other materials will be placed onto the Blackboard. The module leader is prepared to look at and provide feedback for one piece of draft work connected with the assignment. Two pages of draft work can be submitted up to a week before your timetabled session in week 11.

Tutorials: individual tutorials are possible, and you can email your module tutor to arrange a mutually convenient time for an individual meeting.

The module leader is aware that the pressure of work is often the single greatest anxiety for students. The module has been designed to support you in making the workload both usefully spread and possible. If you are in any doubt about meeting deadlines and completing weekly tasks or assignments, please let the module leader know as soon as there is a problem and she will try and help you resolve the difficulties.

The Learning Hub is located on the ground floor of the Library. The staff offer guidance to all students on developing their skills as independent learners and on related areas including maths and statistics. Drop in workshops on topics such as referencing, finding information and writing essays are available throughout the year. Learning Hub staff collaborate with your School to ensure that in depth help is available to you.

Online information on a wide range of topics including referencing, writing, critical thinking skills and information literacy can be accessed via the Library and Information Services website at:

https://unity3.tees.ac.uk/departments/lis/default.aspxTelephone: 01642 342100

Assessment

The summative assessment will be the production of a research proposal, maximum word count 4,500 words, which will be 100% of the final assessment.

Standard University level 7 marking criteria will be used and in addition to this the following additional criteria will be used:

ECA (100%):

The selection of appropriate topic for research.

Demonstration of ability to write a coherent and manageable research proposal that justifies the choice of topic and the research method chosen.

Demonstration of critical understanding of the research method and the data analysis selected in relation to chosen topic of research.

Demonstration of understanding of how to address any ethical implications involved in their chosen topic of research.

A typical research proposal will include the following information:

The title of the research.

The research aims.

The research context.

The paradigm informing the research.

The methodology with information about the data collection methods.

The good practice associated with the research.

Feedback on Assessments

You will receive individualised feedback on any assessed work within the module via a student feedback form (see feedback sheet on Blackboard). This feedback will be provided within 4 weeks of the hand-in date for the assignment. Feedback is unratified until it has been through the Universitys moderation process, meaning any marks provided need to be finally agreed after with the external examiner at a scheduled meeting that takes place in the summer each year.

Attendance

You are expected to attend all lectures, seminars, workshops and any other scheduled teaching activity. It is through interpersonal exchanges with tutors and peers that experiential learning and the testing of ideas takes place, and the University has strong evidence that good attendance is related to success in assessments. Attendance will be monitored and if there is evidence that you are not engaging with University studies then you may be withdrawn from the programme.

Reading

You are not expected to purchase any particular books for this module, those on the reading list are suggested but not exclusive. The full reading list can be found at:

https://rl.talis.com/3/teesside/lists/5929C1D9-79EF-F80F-1237-94271EEFC2C1.html?lang=en-GBRegulations and Procedures

Naturally within the University there are a number of regulations which you may need to refer to as you progress through this programme and the University generally. The University has placed these regulations on the University Website at:

https://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/index.cfm?folder=Student%20regulations&folder_id=43